Leica D-Lux 8 Review: Your Questions Answered (It's All in the Details!) 

I’m buying this! I’ve wanted a quality photo-centric compact with a zoom lens for ages. This is it!

No-one - least of all me - and I am a Pro - is complaining that my 3 Hass Cameras and 4 Hass Lenses are not only made in China but Hass is mostly Chinese owned since DJI hold a majority share in the company - without that investment Hass would have gone a while back.Fuji XT-3/4/5 are made in China - Fujifilm is also said to resume negative color film production in Nanning, China. The first films to go in production will be the Fujifilm C200 and Fujifilm C400 and made by Yes!Star, which is known for making medical film.The Fuji X100VI is made in China too

We are all spoiled by the camera specs these days. I took some of my best photos on a D-Lux 2 with an 8 megapixel sensor (some cropped massively). The D-Lux 8 sensor is more than adequate. My problem is convincing myself not to buy the camera. I’ve had a look at the DNGs from the camera and they’re really very good up to 1600 ISO and modern noise reduction software means that above that is also easy to get excellent pictures. Of course, my M11 blows it away in comparison - its 10,000 ISO is roughly the same as 1,600 ISO on the D-Lux. Still, easier to stuff a D-Lux in a pocket!

I've been using m43 professionally, for over a decade now. I've even had photos taken with a 16mp m43 sensor blown up to billboard size. and with no issues. APS-C and FF isn't everything it is cracked up to be. I've taken pictures of Lords inside the HoL, Parliament, London with m43, shot images of Rolls Royce cars at the very prestigious International Property Awards in Mayfair, London, all using 16mp m43 (Olympus). If you really believe m43 isn't enough, then you aren't really a photographer, or at best, just an amateur. That may sound arrogant, but it's totally correct/true. I think most will be blown away by what the D-Lux 8 will deliver for them. It's a bargain.

i'm surprised how narrow minded some people are just because its "made in China" or "its a LX100ii repackaged". Look at the world guys, Made in China is so common nowadays (i'm looking at you, X100VI) and i'm sorry, but Made in China does not mean poor quality (surprise surprise!). Yes, it's made in China but honestly i feel that the price is reflective of this man. You know just by the brand that you are paying a premium for the branding, so don't look at the D-Lux and expect a Panasonic pricing. If you cant justify the branding premium, just go and buy a Panasonic, no one is stopping you. Sure, you want a Made in Germany/Japan camera, then when they do that, don't come and complain why so expensive. The D-Lux is comparatively cheaply priced and it's a good entry into the color profiles of Leicas.

You should be reviewing mirco 4/3rds cameras. I was an early adopter and bought the original Panasonic mirrorless camera when Panasonic and Olympus pioneered the format and system 12-13 years ago. Since then lenses are usable across those two manufacturers, I've bounced between bodies from the two makers over the years. I have exhibited work with images from these cameras and I think they are grossly under-estimated.

Leica D-lux 7, Lumix LX100 M2 is the same. They are 5-year-old models and you can hardly find them on the market, which means that they are still excellent. D-Lux8 is only a cosmetic treatment, but a very successful one. Now the menu is beautifully simplified. Personally, I would accept: skip the motor and have the zoom manual - that would be great. The motor is the weakest part of the camera - it is too slow. The video function didn't even have to be there - the iPhone will do a better job. Minus: Slow zoom motor, lack of grip is questionable, significantly higher noise compared to FullFrame, M43 sensor is prone to make purple artifacts in strong backlight, body is not wather resistant. Everything else is amazing - currently the only camera of its kind in the world.

Let's go! I cannot wait to get my own D-Lux 8!

Amazing video as always!! I’m sooo curious about using this camera for Portraits, studio and outdoors since now we can shoot DNG, have you tried anything like that? Or maybe a future video about it? Keep with the amazing work Bobby, you’re awesome!!

Thanks for addressing a lot of the questions around the camera. I also wanted to say you nailed the look and audio in your videos! Did Leicia improve the weather / dust resistance versus the Panasonic LX100 series?

A really nice one. I am fine with 17mp, enough to print (if you want) in a decent size. I wished (as the body has gotten a tad bigger compared to the 7) that they include some sensor stabilisation (pixel shift just in case one is out and needs some more mp) and maybe a new processor and a tillable screen (like the Q3). Thanks for your opinion, always very valuable for me

I turned touch off on the rear screen of my Leica cameras to stop the focus box from moving. My nose touched the screen when looking through the viewfinder and moved the box. Give that a try.

Is there threading for a filter on the front of the lens?

Can the manual focus ring be reset to make it a manual zoom ring?

Great review, probably the best technical review I've seen.

Very nice, thank you. I had an earlier version, which I used for work years ago. It was always reliable. This looks good, other than the 'sea creature' lens flaps, which may not resist dust or fluff.

This lens is like all the Pana-Leicas. They're all engineered by Leica and then manufactured by Panasonic. This cooperation has a long tradition and has given us some super nice glas over more then a decade now.

Any idea when it will ship to dealers? Various unconfirmed reports of delay. My dealer says months.

Can you lock the zoom ? When you turn the camera on does the zoom return to its prior position ? How does the zoom behave with power saving ? About the focus point moving around, when touch AF is disabled, the manual says that you still can move it by a double tap. That is what probably happened to you.

Question: Will this iteration of the Panasonic LX series of cameras suck in dust onto the sensor?

Video is early 2000s Digicam vibes :)

Hi Bobby, is it possible to set it to a certain focal length? Let's say 35mm, so it automatically goes to 35mm when I turn it on?

Well, this all made in Germany, 16 megapixel APS sensor with a beautiful pop up flash and a real Leica lens (created by Peter Karbe) camera already exists. It is the Leica X-Vario. It's just fantastic. If you want to go smaller, there's the Leica X-2. I think these cameras were ahead of their time, if they were released today - with the more advanced tech we have now - I am sure they would be absolutely killers. The DNG files are so, so good. I love them. You should review one!

My d-lux 6 is made in Japan. The thing I liked about it is the optional electronic viewfinder that is tiltable.

@12:12 I have the same issue with the M11, when using the EVF, where the zoom box randomly moves from the center to one of the four corners. Very frustrating, and the only way to fix it is to reboot the camera.

This is my dream LX100. That first gen Lumix was such a magic combination. I even like the imperfections of the early gen m4/3 sensor. Really punchy colours and sharp when it needed to be. The D-Lux 8 will be perfect for someone who wants a single small camera that is very versatile and easy to travel with. No worry’s of changing lenses, using adapters etc. It could be someone’s primary camera but also a great secondary or EDC for someone who has heavier kits full frame or medium format, film etc.

Happy Leica Q2 owner, intrigued by this new compact camera.

Spooky focus box problem. Simple swtch off touch screen, its your nose that does when you use the view finder! Drove me round the bend when I first got my XH1!

Can you change the function on one of the two buttons on the back to be a "back focus button"? With my Canon and Olympus cameras I use, and strongly prefer, a back focus button. It holds the focus distance through multiple exposures until you use the back focus button again to focus at a different distance. It eliminates the need to focus and re-frame with every exposure if you're using the halfway pressure on the exposure release button.

Good sum up! I already have a Canon Powershot G1X Mark III. Should this camera die, with no available units left, the D-Lux 8 would be my only choice left for a large sensor compact camera with zoom lens. My first choice for such a tool was the LX100II, but it had lens particle ingress issues. I’m imagining there’s no such thing on this camera. If only it had some form of weather resistance as well.

Thanks for the insight, Bobby! 👌🏽🎯📸💯

Great review and very original from others I've seen. Just one thing.... Yes, bigger sensors matter. But most people, including photographers, won't see the difference. I can. But still love m43 and have used it for about 7 years. Used to work with Canon FF. For myself, I'd get FF (the rumored S1R II is on my lookout) just for me and maybe higher-paying/big fashion work. But for the most part, especially in the studio, m43 is totally fine. This Leica is on my list. Done quite a bit of research and nothing else just didn't stack against it. You can basically throw it in just about any bag and not notice it's there. It's just too much effort to carry even an average m43 camera around everywhere. I think this thing is going to sell like crazy. My first Leica.

Hello Sir …. I have been using Fujifilm XT30 ii for a while, for everyday shooting and for street photography. Should I go for Laica DL8 replacing Fujifilm ? Need your advice 🙏

Thanks Bobby. #LX100III or #LX200, #DLux9: Hope Leica/Panasonic Lumix will keep developing the LX100/D-Lux Line of advanced point and shoot. Keep the M43, probably a slightly bigger body to accommodate IBIS, Tilting screen, full M4/3 sensor size use (no physical aspect ratio of the sensor, probably software) Smart move from Leica to capitalize on the sudden point and shoot hype. Lumix has an history of building rangefinder cameras. I still believe Lumix could build a successful FF L mount rangefinder.

I have used Leica digital cameras since Digilux 1, and D-lux 1, so if Leica DL8 was inspired by Q, it wouldn't make sense to me. I just wished Leica with their heritage followed the traditional design from the M series. Digilux 2 was a huge success and really wished Leica could bring that design back to the future Dlux series. Fuji understood their traditional identity early on with x100 series. And they do so well. Ricoh/Pentax the same.

The focus box moves to the corner is because you are touching the screen with the tip of your nose, it irritates me too, by the way D-lux 7 is an amazingly well built camera too with only two tiny plastic parts on the sides.

I just jumped into the shop and tested a demo. I could make a decision right after several minutes. The built, the ease of control, and of course, the Leica tone of colour. Am a X2 user here.

Nice follow-up review. I've one on order ;-) Question: can you think of a (square) lenshood in combo with an UV filter that stays on the lens for protection, instead of the 'butterfly' lens clip?

What are the Monochrome profiles like? Panasonic had L.monoD which was quite lovely if you didnt want to shoot raw and edit. Leica have their own version?

Any interval shooting mode?

I pre ordered it on my local Leica Store in Italy… looking forward to test it on my own! Thank you for the video! I hope in the near future they add “Leica looks preset” and the progressive zoom function (24-28-35-50-75) . I remember I saw it in D Lux 7 and I hope it comes in the 8 too

Phase AF and no blackout would have been crazy for this.

#Question Will Leica Looks from Q3 and SL3 of the Fotos App be made accesible for the D Lux 8 aswell? Also: Is there an explantion from Leica as to why they did not implement a tilt screen? Was it just cost or is there some philosophical reason for that?

Hey Bobby, thanks for the video. I have a Leica D-lux 109 (7) that I've used for the same purpose as yourself.... something light to take around with me as I want something that goes beyond my iPhone. Do you find that the 8 is a step forward beyond the 7 simply put? I"ve been waiting for this for years it seems. Btw, I'm glad to have found your YT Channel and subscribed.

This seems like a really nice pocket camera! A for the resolution, I’m thinking there’s software out there to increase the resolution…so 17mpx is no biggie

My x100f is made in Japan. There already is a Panasonic Version and its called the LX100 II. Its just another skin for it.

A pass for me. I am more exicted about the new Pixii Max. Will you be reviewing it?

fantastic review

I agree that the camera probably hits the sweet spot for many buyers, especially those who hanker after the Leica marque. But... Somehow Fuji and Ricoh can offer higher megapixel APS-C sensors at the same price point or, in the case of Ricoh, quite a bit less. What was needed, I think, was a fixed-lens, short zoom, Return of the Leica CL for $1500-2000, with the Maestro II processor,. A new design, all Leica. That would have really rocked the markett. I suspect Leica was worried that would somehow cannibalize sales of its Q line even though they are much more expensive.

movement of the box could be your nose, happened to be on the small e-series of fujifilm!

Ordered mine - going to use as travel / mountain camera - will be in Nepal this fall for 3-1/2 weeks, see how it handles - my only concern is it’s not weather sealed- I’m just not keen to carry and use a heavy camera system - coming from Nikon F film, to Nikon Full Frame, to Fuji system , and now this … I’ll also try the Ricoh GR when I can get my hands on one … Thanks for the overview

yes

Can you put a filter on the lens? For example, orange to darken the skies. Or a polarizer, that you must twist and view the effects to make it beneficial.

Have a d-lux typ 109, should I upgrade? Everything seems the same except the Mp 12 Vs 17; but at least the typ 109 is made in Japan

Hi Bobby, I have a couple of questions. I have mine on order for a week. Have they actually been released yet in the US? If not, when? I hear they are already backordered. Does Leica have any idea how long it might take to fulfill the orders and for people like me to receive the 8? Do you think it will be as bad as the 100VI. I've been waiting on the VI since March. Do you think that Leica will have the Looks ready soon for the 8? I shoot Fuji mostly in JPG. For a JPG shooter, I imagine it will be quite a bummer if Looks doesn't come to the 8? Please. Your thoughts on this. Thanks so much buddy.

I wrote to you earlier that I have an order in with B&H for the Fuji 100VI since March. I put in my order for the Leica D-Lux 8 almost a week ago (with B&H) after watching your videos. You mentioned that you believed I was likely to receive the 8 sooner than the 100VI. Well, I hope you are right. I just received an update from B&H (the first in many months) on my fuji order. They now say that they expect to ship the 100VI to me by December 10.

Thanks for the video. I think you hit some key points, especially, this is probably targeting those who want to get on the Leica train and never had a Leica before.

The D-Lux 8 has only a 12 Bit Sensor - is that a photo-quality issue?

Is it dust proof? My LX100ii is now garbage because of dust in the sensor that cannot be removed.

It looks like an amazing camera

Does it have the “Leica colors” and B&W looks like the Q’s?

Hope Leica will keep this type of camera around

Awesome review.

To play devil’s advocate… the hand made, small- batch, German production is often touted as a reason for Leica’s price premium (I think more than any other camera brand I hear this argument to partly justify the price)- to pay the German workers a living wage, etc. Acknowledging you can get great quality from Chinese factories, to your point. Thanks for the great videos!

17mp means that the coverage of the sensor is only 81%, so in effect, the sensor "size" is 19% smaller than Micro4Thirds. If they had done nothing else except increase the coverage of the existing sensor to 100% this would have been a significant improvement. I like everything here, but they needed to do more with the lens/sensor combination. I like the 'made in China' route for this line of cameras, as it lowers the price appropriately for this category. I would also like 14-bit raw files. However, I like this so much that I will probably buy one.

Excellent review/overview. My first 4/3 camera was a Panasonic G1 in -- what? -- 2011? Results always good. I have been enamored by the LX line since LX3, switched to it from Canon G9 after starting with the original Canon G1 in 2000. Last LX was the LX100 model 1. D-Lux 8 camera appears to be a kind of peak of what can be done with this design. Mine is back ordered at B&H (they have my $$$ but I don't have the camera yet) Will chime in after I've had it for a while. Thanks again (I subscribed). P.S. Why the cheesy name? D-Lux for the least expensive camera available new from Leica. Someone on another site said D-Lux 8 was like the name of a Pontiac from 1935. 🤣

Its a really tempting price point at S$2450 for a leica camera but at the same time, its also really hard to convince people to buy into especially when you see competitor models such as the ricoh gr iii with a 24mp apsc sensor that only costs S$1400 brand new. Tough decision to make as I am tempted to get the gr iii until the release of this camera!!

such a shame it doesn't have a tilting screen for shooting from the hip.

I already have that flash. It's the same flash that was issued with the Panasonic GM5 years ago.

It would be nice as a travel companion to a film Leica M. The Lumix G100D adding the DG summilux 9,15 and 25mm lenses is a more flexible m43 option with same OLED VF. The focus box wander was one of the reasons I sold my Leica CL.

Hello Bobby from Russia. Thanks for your job. Can you answer me about quality photos of this camera versus photos from SL3. How much difference between photos of that's cameras? What is your opinion of my idea to change Leica SL3 + SL 24-90 on this compact camera Leica D-Lux 8 with zoom objective for shooting childs in the school?

What’s the minimum focus length?

Best camera of the year! That year being 2019...

Why no Leica Looks integration on this camera? Surely this is the most ideal camera for those filters.

I really want it with a microphone jack

I have a Q3 but I want this. I need a replacement for my GX9.

I still have the D-Lux Type 109 (LX100 original based). Also the same lens. Entire camera MADE IN JAPAN. Only 4MP less than the new D-Lux 8.

Isn't this the same lens as the LX100 II?

the images are So Bright.. maybe brighter than other Leicas... anyone agree? However the video was blown out

I heard from some leica sales folks that something else might be coming to the market this year. Have you heard anything?

Right now, aside from the frisson you will get from the Q "cues" and menu derived from the Q and now a better OLED EVF and slightly better LCD (all of which alone would explain the jump in price) along with the same lens that Leica insisted (from previous reviews on standard met on previous DLux's and Lumix LX's made by Panasonic which is waist deep in its partnership with Leica still) if the processor is the same the output will be the same. But...if the processor is a modified version of the latest "Maestro" and not the previous processor THEN it would be a true enthusiasts Leica. Otherwise you have a nice showpiece to hold in your hand that the user may really want people to recognize.

This is a camera I really want to buy. Korea is too expensive. It costs approximately 1,900 US dollars. And it is said to be released in August. Nonetheless, I am worried that it will sell out.

the flash has a dedicated power pin that draws power from the camera (doesn't have a internal battery) so unfortunately it won't work with any other cameras.......

The general public do not buy this kind of camera for professional video creation. In fact Leica cameras generally are not of that type but the D-Lux and Q models will take good enough video for casual and holiday fun use for recording places and events. Most more advanced video creators will want fully articulating screens and more advanced multi-purpose cameras but even so the vast majority are not interested in advanced codecs and confusing choices. These are the realm of professional film makers. If posting to RU-vid, all that really matters is that the camera makes acceptable 1080 and maybe 4K videos. The rest is up to the shooter creating a story and their editing skills. Lots of very popular RU-vid channels are shot using phones for the most part.

hey bobby, judging from your shots, are you based in Singapore? Should organise a local shoot session sometime

Would love to see this compared to the ricoh gr iii

Designed in Germany, but just a reskinned Lumix LX100ii

Just a rebadged Panasonic LX100 ii introduced in 2018. Same sensor, same controls, etc. And the Panasonic was at a MUCH lower price.

nice light flares

I bought it waiting for delivery

Maybe your nose or face is hitting the touchscreen when you’re looking through the viewfinder moving the focus point around?

Is it weather resistant? Nice video btw.

The consensus reviews… [paraphrased] ‘Excuse me for saying so… this camera is great.’ It is almost like no-one expected this D-Lux 8 to be anything worth considering. And, maybe I’m in that group , and maybe not. I bought a titanium D-Lux 4 when they came out…, the ‘same’ Panasonic camera at a higher cost, and it was all about the Leica branding everyone said. The Leica D-Lux 4 was used a lot, looked great, did what it needed to, here in Japan had an English menus and 3-year warranty (both the Panasonic didn’t have), and I enjoyed using it. Maybe I miss that D-Lux convenience, maybe the reason I’m even looking/considering the new D-Lux 8. The sensor size doesn’t bother me, even 17pm is plenty enough for larger prints and absolutely no issue with any computer screen size. Leica cleaned up the camera button and menu software, and the comparison to the Q3 is obvious. A still great lens with the most useful focal-length range. For a compact ‘point and shoot’ it clicks all the boxes. Its price is not cheap, or even in the midrange, but at the top of the premium compact cameras, and maybe that is where Leica is going to have a problem. I can’t imagine that production cost is up there in the stratosphere (being in China). They could have had a real winner here for the internet/social-media crowd and casual users, but with today’s world economy anyone considering this will have to think a few times to decide if a point and shoot with a Leica name and all that goes with that is worth the substantial purchase price.

Jai commandé le mien depuis 1 mois. Mais comme le Fuji X100Vl cela va etre difficile à avoir. Aucune date de livraison pour l'instant 😢

Hi Bobby. Thanks for all your work on this. I have three questions. 1. Does Leica plan to add Leica Looks? 2. How would you compare the D-Lux to the 100VI in terms of image quality, AF and anything else you'd like to add? Which one do you personally like better, the 100VI or the D-Lux? Meaning, which one would you rather own? And why? 3. Does Leica believe they will be able to fulfill demand/orders in a timely manner? Again, many thanks.

I have the Pana LX100, the first one, since it was on the market, and I am pissed off because there is virtually no update on this gem. This Leica do not propose a significant move to appeal to me, Pana isn't going to do it either, and price wise it is a rip off. I had great hope with the Pana S9 which dopped down to the drain, no viewfinder, no mechanical shutter etc....I guess we'll have to wait another Brand to produce what many are waiting for......some replacement of the Sony RX-1 with a zoom or inter changeable lenses. The 7C's are not far from that but too video centric with a very complicated menu and still propose the awful PASM kind of setting. Anyway Pana S9 and Sony's show that this compact form can propose a full frame camera.

Well done, Bobby!

This is a decent camera but the price is way too high for a camera with a sensor that only has an effective 17mp. It’s close to a price point I would have expected if they revived the Leica X line. Fixed lens, APSC sensor (hopefully 21-24mp).

I still think they should have fitted a prime 14mm/1.7 to go with the m4/3 sensor… the lens having remained the same is disappointing to me. Fitting the zoom makes it a bit too pedestrian, it doesn’t excite me in the same way a fixed focal length does.

Can you show us also right-out-of-the-camera photos?