Leica D-LUX5 10.1 MP Compact Digital Camera with Super-Fast f/2.0 Lens, 3.8x Zoom Lens, 3" LCD Display, O.I.S. Image Stabilization (Black)

by Leica

• 1/1.63" CCD image sensor with a resolution of 10.1 megapixels
• Low image noise, more precise details and natural color rendition
• Intuitive handling concept with automatic and manual setting options
• Packaged with Adobe Photoshop Ligthroom 3
• Leica, D-Lux 5, compact camera, digital, German, optics

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B004432SVI
• Item model number: 18151
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,112 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 22, 2010

Product Description

Color: Black

From the Manufacturer

The D-Lux 5 is a true Leica, not only in terms of its elegant design but also in its superior optical performance: the result are images of excellent quality.

This versatile compact camera featuring a fast Leica Summicron zoom lens with focal-lengths from 24 to 90mm (35mm equivalent), is the perfect camera for a broad spectrum of photgraphic situations: from macro and wide angle architecture to landscape, from reportage to portrait and available-light photography. Manual setting options and an extensive range of accessories provide even greater creative freedom. With such versatile performance in such a compact package, the D-Lux 5 is the perfect companion whenever you seek inspiration - in Berlin or anywhere else in the world.

Leica D-Lux 5 Highlights

Super-fast lens
The newly developed, fast, Leica DC Vario-Summicron 1:2-3.3/5.1-19.2 mm ASPH. zoom lens offers an extremely practical range of focal lengths (24-90mm-equivalent in 35mm format) With it Leica sets another new benchmark in the history of compact camera lenses. Thanks to its extremely fast maximum aperture, the Leica DC Vario-Summicron makes it an ideal camera for "available light" photography e.g. in the dawn or twilight hours and the new lens offers even more creative freedom than its predecessor.

Brilliant image quality
The D-Lux 5 features a newly designed 1/1.63-inch CCD image sensor that is particularly large for a compact camera. Even at the standard resolution of 10.1 megapixels, this contributes to a significant increase in image quality. The results speak for themselves: combined with the camera's electronics and firmware, it guarantees brilliant high-contrast images with natural colour rendition and superb sharpness--just the way you expect them to be from a Leica camera!

The new D-Lux 5 delivers images in all 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 formats as well as 1:1 a particularly interesting format for creative composition, in both capture and review mode.

Creative freedom
Photography with a Leica camera must be one thing above all - a sheer pleasure. And that is precisely what the Leica D-Lux 5 offers with its amazingly simple and intuitive handling and clearly laid out functions. For instance, you can set manual settings, quickly and easily ,using the D-Lux 5's innovative "Clickwheel" located on the back of the camera. Thanks to its manual setting option for subject distance, aperture and shutter speed, the D-Lux 5 opens up a whole vista of creative opportunities for discerning photographers to take complete control of image characteristics. It also offers numerous automatic functions for effortless photgraphy that guarantees the user perfectly exposed and sharp images by simply pressing the shutter release ideal for less experienced photographers. The camera's automatic functions can control the O.I.S. image stabiliser, automatic ISO selection, face recognition, automatic contrast compensation and automatic scene mode.

Classic design
Classical elegance meets premium quality materials: This characterizes the design philosophy of Leica D-Lux cameras. A design concept that the D-Lux 5 carries forth brilliantly and effortlessly. Elegant matt black throughout, with sparse accents in chrome and uncomplicated distinctive lines, it possesses a compellingly purist and simultaneously timeless modern design.

A single glance says it all: It is a true Leica.

Professional image processing
Software Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional digital workflow solution, is one of the standard features provided with the D-Lux 5. The software is available as an online download for all registered LEICA D-LUX 5 customers. This software package allows photographers to "develop" the RAW image files from the CCD sensor of the D-Lux 5 to obtain the best possible image quality. At the same time, photographers maintain complete control over the development process applied to their images. White balance, exposure, sharpness, tonal balance, colour saturation and many other parameters can be modified during post-processing until the result the photographer envisages is achieved.

Video in HD-Quality
Its additional the D Lux 5 features a 1280 x 720pixel HD-Video function in memory-saving AVCHD-Lite format which is started simply by pressing a dedicated button on the top of the camera. Autofocus and the entire 3.8x zoom range remain available during recording.

Accessories: Camera with system character.
With its unique range of dedicated accessories, the D-Lux 5 is transformed in seconds into the basis of a true photographic system. Thanks to an optional electronic viewfinder and detachable flash unit, you can not only expand your photographic options, but also the range of your creative freedom for even greater pleasure. A hand grip can help ensure steady and safe handling whilst a range of bags and cases can ensure your D-Lux 5 is safely protected but always ready for action.

Product Description

The Leica D-Lux 5 is a compact camera which combines a unique design with high functionality, styling, and quality to offer superior image quality. It features the Leica DC Vario-Summicro 1:2-3.3/5.1-19.2mm ASPH lens with a zoom range of 24-90mm, a fast lens with superior performance that enables high-quality photography even wide open. The newly develope 1/1.63" CCD image sensor increases image quality at the standard resolution of 10.1 megapixels. The camera is classical in design, ergonomic, and compact, and comes in a black anodized finish. Camera includes carrying strap, rechargeable battery (Leica BP-DC 10), battery charger, battery holder, USB cable, AV cable, power cord, lens cap, accessory shoe cover, CD-ROM with manuals in PDF format, instructions for product registration and software download, and warranty card.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

260 of 273 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Leica D-Lux 5 January 15, 2011

By WVU Mountaineer

Color Name:Black

I tired of carrying my DSLR and associated lenses, etc and decided to go to a Point and Shoot (P&S) camera. I had read a great deal and having owned a Nikon D-60 DSLR for a period of time, was concerned primarily with picture quality in going from a DSLR with large sensor to a P&S with much smaller sensor. For 3 solid months, give or take, I diligently, researched all P&S cameras as well as "mirrorless cameras" currently on the market. I went to 'handle' the cameras I was interested in (see below) and to Flickr on the internet and queried some groups regarding the cameras I was considering. I am a hobbyist when it comes to photography but, I was obsessed with getting as close to the superior photo quality of a DSLR as possible in a P&S. I finally decided on the Leica due to (what I believe to be) superior photo quality and excellent in-camera jpeg processing. I looked at the Nikon P7000...mixed but generally lower reviews within this group (I have owned a number of/and greatly respect Nikons); Panasonic LX5...which many say to be the same as the Leica (with the exception of jpeg processing); Canon G-12...which seemed ok with the exception of handling RAW production and the Canon S95...not as good in the lens department and photo processing. Both the Leica and Panasonic have a larger sensor than the rest of this group. Granted, I could have purchased any of these really good cameras, at a much lower price; but, I found the color and overall photo quality of the D Lux 5 to be best of the group I researched. I have never owned a Leica before and I while I expected it I am still shocked at the sticker price and cost of accessories. I'll not debate the pros and cons of the Panasonic LX5 versus the Leica, there is enough information in that regard published by professionals and labs, all over the internet. The warranty and the inclusion of Lightroom 3 were nice additions, to help soothe the price pain. A word about the warranty, depending on what you read the warranty goes anywhere from 2 years (what was in my box warranty) and some (see Steve Huff's excellent analysis) say 3 years. I'll admit the whole warranty process was/is confusing. I bought my camera from B&H Photo in New York and was confused when the salesman said that there was no warranty with the Leica during checkout and that I should buy an additional warranty for 2 years. Everything I had read previous to my purchase, said Leica provided a 2 year warranty and so I passed on the B&H offer, hope I am right. I am very happy with this camera. It is easy to operate, provides excellent stabilization, in-camera menus are outstanding, shoots in RAW format and is easy to carry/handle. Leica accessories are expensive though. Many of the items that fit the LX5; also, fit the Leica. The viewfinder, although with mixed reviews, is a must if you shoot in bright daylight or snowy environs. The Panasonic viewfinder is around $200.00 less than the Leica brand and supposedly fits/works the same on the D Lux 5...we'll see. My decision to buy the Leica boiled down to quality of build/pictures and reputation. Good sites to go to: stevehuffphoto.com; DPReview; CNET; bhphotovideo.com; snapshot.com; youtube and if you want to look at actual photos, taken by everyday users of the Leica D Lux 5, see the Leica groups on Flicr. Hope this helps.

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Point-And-Shoot On The Market October 27, 2010

By FotoFan

Color Name:Black

I'm very happy with this camera.

The only up side to having my D-Lux 3 stolen this past summer was that the D-Lux 5 was soon to be released. I use a camera for my work - which is mostly point-and-shoot locations stuff - but I also want the ability to take beautiful pictures when I have the time.

This camera gives me what I need.

I love the simplified menu, the rear dial, the hot shoe for my viewfinder and flash, but most of all I love the quality of the pictures I can get whether it's a quick snap-shot or a nicely composed portrait.

It's not a pro camera but it's a great camera for someone (like me) who carries a camera with them at all times looking for that great image.

Warranty is great and Light Room is a nice addition. As for concerns over the price difference between this and the Panasonic version c'mon, you spend that much for premium cable every month.

99 of 105 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great compact camera October 23, 2010

By Ariel Bella

Color Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase

My first Leica that is affordable. I was going back and forth between this and the Panasonic LX5 as they are essentially the same camera as I've read. I wanted something for travel and as a backup to my Canon dSLR. This is smaller than I expected which is actually great because I can fit it in my pocket!

As for price, if you think about it, the copy of Adobe Lightroom and the 3 year warranty basically means it costs about the "same" as the LX5 if not getting a better deal IMO. Yeah, I like the red dot too...and the build is really solid for this camera..and a beautiful one at that. The menu is pretty intuitive. The manual isn't all that informative.
Picture quality looks great, I like the different formats..I can take square pics or wide angle..

The special effects aren't as robust as the Olympus Pen, but I use graphic editing programs anyway....gets a little noisy above 1600 but again, I have noise reduction software..but for its size and convenience and the fast 2.0 lens, available light photography is great. I use this mainly as my street photography/photojournalism cam.

I would've given it 5 stars if it had a viewfinder...I really wish these companies producing these compact cameras, 4/3 cameras and the like would have a built in viewfinder..it only makes sense. Also, don't get the Dlux4 battery for this, it won't fit. I have to wait about a month before they release the ones for Dlux5 and exchange the Dlux4 battery.
But I'm happy so far and hopefully I'll be able to update to the M series someday.