Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization

by Leica

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 3.4 x 3.1 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000J6CDL4
• Item model number: 18284
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,317 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

The Leica D system gives ambitious amateurs and professional photographers a whole new range of possibilities. The Leica Digilux3 is the first Digilux camera with an interchangeable lens and therefore forms the basis for the Leica D system, a completely independent digital SLR system. The clear design of the camera housing and the operating concept of the Digilux are in keeping with the best Leica tradition. The shutter speed, focal length, aperture and focus can be set by hand on the camera and the lens--a fast, precise and creative solution in comparison with conventional SLR cameras. The interplay of Leica's legendary performance and the latest technology is almost revolutionary: the newly designed lens Leica D Vario-Elmarit f2.8-3.5/14-50 Asph combined with state-of-the-art optical image stabilization and a 7.5-megapixel LiveMos sensor result in a magnificent standard of imaging. High-quality materials and precision craftsmanship ensure that the Leica Digilux3 will work reliably for many years, even under the tough conditions of reportage photography. The Leica D system is a valuable companion made to last.

Innovative system camera with classic design
Leica stands for photographic tools that concentrate on the essentials and encourage creative users to capture their own view of the world. The Leica Digilux3 is a fusion of the latest digital technology with the traditional values of superlative image quality, intuitive operation and a timelessly beautiful design. The intuitive operation of this system camera is partly the result of designing all the controls to suit photographers' needs. No nested menus, no complicated technology.

Razor-sharp images
A real premiere: For the first time, Leica has combined outstanding optical imaging performance with state-of-the-art image stabilization in a D lens. Whenever you want to avoid camera shake, just switch on the image stabilizer (O.I.S.). Integrated in the lens, it ensures sharply focused images in all situations--in twilight, for indoor exposures or in the zoom range. The image stabilizer is a reliable help for exposures taken without a tripod, too.

Excellent overview
You won't miss a thing with the Leica Digilux3--whether you look through the optical viewfinder or at the RealtimePreview, which enables real-time assessment of the entire subject and the exposure in the display. Thanks to the ultra fast and highly precise action of the autofocus and the image processing and storage, all important moments can be captured and assessed on the brilliant high-resolution 2.5-inch display.

All-round cover--inclusive
Accidents can happen--a careless moment, and your valuable camera equipment is ruined. This is no problem with the new Leica Digilux3: thanks to Leica's Additional Risk Warranty, any damage to the camera and your high-quality lens is insured for the first six months after the purchase date. We repair or replace your equipment with no questions asked. After that you benefit from the manufacturer's warranty which has been extended to three years. The extra guarantee is all part of Leica service. Where else can you find such a good deal?

What's in the Box:
Digilux 3, 1 GB SD card, power supply unit/charger, battery pack, eyepiece cover, housing cover, AV cable, USB cable, power cord, carrying strap, CD-ROM with software Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0 (WIN) and 3.0 (MAC), QuickTime.

Product Description

The Leica D system gives ambitious amateurs and professional photographers a whole new range of possibilities. The Leica Digilux3 is the first Digilux camera with an interchangeable lens and therefore forms the basis for the Leica D system, a completely independent digital SLR system. The clear design of the camera housing and the operating concept of the Digilux are in keeping with the best Leica tradition. The shutter speed, focal length, aperture and focus can be set by hand on the camera and the lens--a fast, precise and creative solution in comparison with conventional SLR cameras. The interplay of Leica's legendary performance and the latest technology is almost revolutionary: the newly designed lens Leica D Vario-Elmarit f2.8-3.5/14-50 Asph combined with state-of-the-art optical image stabilization and a 7.5-megapixel LiveMos sensor result in a magnificent standard of imaging. High-quality materials and precision craftsmanship ensure that the Leica Digilux3 will work reliably for many years, even under the tough conditions of reportage photography. The Leica D system is a valuable companion made to last.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Leica retro camera with 21st Century electronics., August 12, 2007

By 

R. Ocampo "Artisan" (North America) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization (Electronics)

First things first, Leica and Panasonic have been a team in the digital camera world in terms of Leica lens know-how coupled with Panasonic technology (just like Carl Zeiss lens is with Sony as well as Schneider Optics is with Samsung). Take note I said Leica lens "know-how" because Leica is not really the lens manufacturer here, but Panasonic is - being a licensed manufacturer of Leica lens. So to Leica purists, this isn't a Leica-assembled product. Despite all this, it's still sold exclusively by Leica and manufactured by Panasonic for a limited batch run alongside the sister model of Panasonic, the DMC-L1. Everything about how the Digilux 3 and DMC-L1 operate and function are the same EXCEPT for a few minor adjustments. The most talked about and only difference is how it processes JPG pictures.

Most notable option:

- If you're going to shoot using RAW in order to tweak your own photos, then buying the Panasonic won't make a difference with the more expensive counterpart. Panasonic will save you a lot of money and help you get more accessories with it.

- If you grew up with the Leica brand and are familiar with the characteristics of how Leica photographs come out, Leica has especially tweaked the JPG (not RAW, for obvious reasons being RAW) photos to look the same way analog Leica photographs come out looking.

Of course it's not all that simple. Without going into a debate as to why buy Leica over Panasonic and vice-versa, I'll talk about the general controls.

MEMORY CARD:

The camera uses SD or MMC cards. It will take SDHC cards which come with minimum 4GB. As for MMC cards, they are slow and I would suggest not even thinking of using it.

The supplied 1GB memory should be enough for one day of fun. But a 4GB SDHC or higher is recommended when shooting RAW.

BATTERY:

Good for 450 pictures per CIPA standards.

LENS:

The supplied 14-50mm lens is what makes this camera purchase worthwhile. It's very sharp and beats any 7-8MP digital SLR cameras out there as well is arguably at par with 10MP digital SLR cameras.

It patronizes the "Fourt Thirds Mount" set by Olympus. So camera and body built on this standard make them interchangeable.

- It has a zoom ring, an aperture ring and a focus ring in a grooved rubber application.

- O.I.S. - Optical Image Stabilization to help decrease blur when doing handheld shots with a slower shutter speed.

BODY:

All the necessary settings a pro may need is right there by their finger tips and individually labeled - aperture, shutter, metering mode, multiple shots, auto/manual focus, flash mode, ISO speed and white balance. Plus there are two more programmable buttons for quick access to special camera features.

INTERNALS:

- LiveMOS technology is the reason to get this camera from other cameras. They say it has the best of both worlds for the quality of the CCD, but with the power-saving of a CMOS.

- Dust Reduction Function - a staple in higher end SLR cameras to shake off any dust sitting on the image sensor and useful when changing lens.

- Live View mode which effectively helps you focus in real-time the subject via the LCD monitor rather than the viewfinder. A good idea on paper, but with an actual clunky application.

WARRANTY:

For the first six months your camera and lens (not accessories) is protected by accident. If something happens to it for any reason no questions asked, they will repair or replace it.

After the six months accident protection, you are warranted for three years from any defect of the camera. No one can claim the same. Not even it's sister model, the Panasonic DMC-L1.

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PROS:

1. Leica lens quality and sharpness.
2. LiveMOS sensor.
3. Manual controls right there by your fingertips.
4. Leica build quality and retro design that makes it a stand out.
5. Four Thirds Mount that will help you build your lens library.
6. Manual flash button rather than automatic pop up.

CONS:

1. Boxy, clunky body that may turn off a lot of users.
2. Weight coupled with the boxy body will cause more stress in gripping the camera.
3. LiveView mode definitely is version 1.0.
4. O.I.S. is definitely not perfect. It helps, but it doesn't lead you to believe that you can take better pictures with less blur. An expensive technique rather than building the image stabilization into the body.
5. Manual focus ring is typical of any digital SLR lens. It just turns around and around without telling you have reached the end.
6. Expensive camera slapped on with a red Leica logo, but actually produced in a Panasonic plant alongside a sister camera that depreciates almost monthly.
7. The strap placement may be an issue with hand placement.

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In summary, this is first and foremost for Leica customers who know and appreciate the quality that Leica brings. The warranty is second to none. They will stand behind this 100%.

The design is extreme. If you don't fall in love with it, you are better off looking elsewhere. But if you spend a day with it, you will know why they have designed it that way. The controls are very intuitive.

If you have the money to splurge. Offer no apologies to anyone as they can only salivate to patronize a Leica. If you are the sensible kind, you know where to go as this isn't for the faint of heart in the ever-changing, fast depreciating digital world of electronics and gadgets.

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Only for diehard Leica-brand fans, December 29, 2006

By 

jasmine park (Seattle WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization (Electronics)

After using & loving my Leica Digilux 1 for years, the Digilux 3 seemed like the perfect step-up to the DSLR world. The lens is fantastic & has been winning rave reviews, & I'm a big fan of the camera's analog controls & the retro body styling. After a week of using the Digilux 3 extensively while travelling, I'm extremely happy with my choice; the image stabilization, the bounce flash, the aperture ring on the lens, & the Live Preview LCD are all excellent features. But buyer beware: There's basically no way to justify getting the D3 over its Panasonic twin, the DMC-L1, which Costco was selling for literally half the price of the D3 during this X-Mas holiday. Despite the excellent lens, the L1 is about the right price for this camera, which makes the D3 a plain rip-off; almost any camera pro would tell you your money would be better spent on a Nikon D200 or Canon 30D, w/ hundreds to spare on lenses. Despite this, I've managed to justify the extra cost of the D3 on strictly emotional/nostalgic terms - for everything that the Leica brand evokes & for how aesthetically pleasing the D3 is. But I'll be the first to admit that these aren't very compelling reasons, & would point most other buyers to the L1 instead.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding camera for serious photographers, October 11, 2007

By 

Thomas R. Diaz "T Diaz" (Lexington, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image Stabilization (Electronics)

I bought the Leica version of this camera after getting Leica's offer of a $[...] rebate, making it closer in price to the Panasonic version. I use Leica rangefinders and will perhaps benefit from the JPG tweaks that are special the the Leica version. Most of my remarks would probably apply to the Panasonic edition, though.

This camera and lens replaced a Canon 20D kit with a similar IS zoom lens. In other words, the Leica replaced an excellent SLR with roughly the same resolution (8.x megapixels, versus 7.5 megapixels on the Leica).

I have been pleased in every way with the Vario-Elmarit lens, which is as sharp as I would expect for a Leica-branded lens. The controls (both on the lens and the top-mounted shutter speed dial) are very nice and familiar for an RF user like me.

The body is larger and "blockier" than a Leica rangefinder, as are all SLRs. However, I am excited that this 4/3 mount camera not only comes with an excellent lens (I think better than the Canon 17-85mm it replaced) but also gives me access to quite a few fine 4/3 lenses, such as the Olympus macro and telephoto lenses.

A couple of camera body features that I like a great deal and, in my opinion, are better than the Canon:

1. Nicely designed built-in flash that first comes up in "bounce" position and then on a second button-press moves into "straight-ahead" position. It fits flush into the body when not in use.

2. VERY accessible and easy to use control for adjusting flash power for fill flash and similar applications.

3. Equally accessible and easy to use back-panel control for exposure compensation--important on any digital camera, since you will want to dial back in sunlit and other contrasty scenes to avoid blown-out highlights!

4. Top-mounted MECHANICAL switches for shutter speed, sequence/single shooting, and metering mode, plus two preset buttons, are always there, always visible--no waiting for or squinting at an LCD display.

5. Lately I have not done much macro shooting, but I do like it. I expect to use the live view feature with all its strangeness. (The camera does two mirror-blips per exposure in this mode.) It beats hunching down on the ground photographing insects with a right-angle viewfinder.

As much as I liked the Canon 20D and 30D I used to use, I think this camera is better designed for easy and fast shooting.

I was going to say this is a camera for photographers at all levels. However, I will still likely use my Leica rangefinders for professional work. That's not a slam on the Digilux 3. The Canon 20D and 30D occupied about the same position in my mind--if I were using a DSLR for professional work I might want a higher end camera for more ruggedness, better dirt sealing, and so on.