micro four thirds in 2024 | Leica D-Lux 8 first impressions 

M43 is more than adequate for most people and in most situations. It's being handicapped by people's predisposed attitudes. I have APSC, full frame, 35mm and medium format film cameras by Ricoh, Pentax, and Nikon. In most situations, I still use my Olympus M43 system. And not even their top-of-the-line system. I mostly use the EM5 Mark iii, it's a wonderful camera for street photography.

Just goes to show that so many photographers place too much emphasis on what gear they own and that gear has to be the "best" gear. "All my gear needs to be full-frame or digital medium format" no, it absolutely does not. You do not need the latest and greatest thing. Until you start printing billboard on the size of the highway sizes, basically no one will tell the difference between a micro 3/4 and full-frame camera, and you proved as much in this video. All cameras are so good now a days and most people's primary rig could probably be replaced with a small camera like this and there will be little compromise in doing so

New hairstyle, new look, looking great... All the D-Lux and a new video, you shouldn't have. Great observations on the camera, uploading pics to socials and looking good!

I had the lx100ii. It was a great little camera, and a great lens. The focus stacking feature works really well. In the end I sold it to fund a growing 4x5 habit. The only thing I thing that I didn't like was the EVF, it was just a bit too small. It's the camera I learned manual exposure on, and the ergonomics are really nice.

The olympus pen line you would LOVE! I have come full circle with cameras and Olympus 4/3 is magic

I see all the RU-vidrs are afraid to put out a detailed review since it’s nothing but an updated (kind of) Panasonic LX100ii. I understand it’s hard to push a yesterday tech with future pricing from Leica. Only Leica can do it and people will fall for it thanks to all the RU-vidrs… Also it is very hard to see what the picture is taken with when viewed in small Instagram screen. It is very easy to lead your viewers that way. ..

Oh man so jealous you got to try it out!

I GOT IT RIGHT ON INSTA!

I really liked your review. It was from the perspective of a real photographer. With current technology as advanced as it is, I really didn’t need all of the specs. I’m a m11, q3, and Hassy X2D user. But I frequently just shoot with my iPhone. I might consider getting this camera. Well done 👍🏻

I had a Leica Q2 until a couple of weeks ago. Just got myself a used LUMIX G5 (MFT) and love it. The D-Lux 8 looks like a copy (especially the flash). I wouldn’t be surprised, the G5 is a great little gem with exceptionally good IQ.

Simple and yet a great video that really can give us a idea of what we will get with this camera. Unfortunately, nowadays vloggers are much more focused to what a new camera could or should have been, instead of what it is. The thing is, if it deliveries good stuff, than it's a good piece, why full fill a complete video with a list of what other cameras have, always and persistently on a continous analogy between cameras. It's a bless to listen the truth that, 60mpx full frame is very good but that we can be very happy with 17mpx and m43, like saying that what is good, is good, and it doesn't became bad just because its not excellent. And thanks to not even mention the so limited idea that it's just a 6 years old Panasonic. Really enjoyed this simple and clever approach. Beautiful images and, we can really see the excelent results of that lens, sensor and color processing Cheers

Wonderfully warm-hearted and thoroughly informative "love-declaration" video - from a true "M-brother" - thank you so much - this was very, very inspiring indeed!

In good light MFT rocks. The size of the cameras and lenses are a real bonus. However get into lower light and you quickly begin to see its Achilles heal. Long time Olympus shooter who switched over to FF Nikon but still also shoot my Pen F.

The Leica D-Lux 8 is a bit of a hard sell at $1600. While I don't necessarily mind the micro four thirds sensor, 17 megapixels, or the variable aperture zoom lens, there are a couple of features I think could have really improved this camera. First, a leaf shutter would have been a great addition. Since the lens isn't removable, a leaf shutter would provide more flexibility when using a flash. Second, in-body stabilization is a feature that this camera could have benefited from massively. It's basically the standard nowadays. With a 17 megapixel micro four thirds sensor, noise can easily creep in when the ISO starts to go up because you have to maintain a certain shutter speed. In-body image stabilization would allow for shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds, keeping the ISO relatively low and avoiding noise.

It's just a Panasonic LX100 rebadged into a Leica. The updated LX100 will be launch in a few months time for a third of the price, I suspect.

I love my Leica D Lux 6 with the swivel viewfinder. I was disappointed that was no longer available on this new camera nor if it had a higher mp number. But does look good.

Thanks for sharing your opinions on the camera. I use my phone as an everyday camera. What would you recommend for an actual everyday camera?

That screw shutter, does a cable release work in that or is it for just a soft touch?

Great point of view when it comes to knowing what the end result is going to be, in this case, the majority of photos will end up in social media, and a m43 camera is more than capable. I have been using my Lumix gx85, and it is a great camera and it works great for street photography.

Do you know if this is really a Lumix camera with the Leica re-brand?

Isn’t this just the 6 year old Panasonic LX100ii with a reskinned body and a new UI… or am I missing something?

I really wish this camera as well as Panasonic Lumix LX100III/IV... would have small fixed prime. Or there would be two versions of camera - one with zoom and other with prime for example Leica 15mm f1.7.

I've been using m43 in a professional capacity for 10 or so years now. The latest m43 cameras are so good I don't need either APS-C or FF. All the latter stuff was marketing nonsense anyway. A real pro can shoot and get paid using any format, even 110 or 126/7 (film). My original Canon DSLR back in the late 1990's was only 3.1mp. But images were published and deadlines reached. We really have too many tools at our disposal and the only thing really holding us back isn't the gear, but simply ourselves.

My first digicam was 4 MP and I put it on 2. With this you can enlarge 24x30cm. How often do you need that? After this I mostly shoot 4-6 MP, sometimes 8. JPEG SOOC. Since 3,5 years I can do RAW too, but I only use it in important cases. I like Nikons 'JPEG basic'. Shoot 6 MP instead of 24 and have files below 1 MB.

I thought the same about MFT till I tried it. Got a LUMIX G9 really cheap and love it!

Feel better soon.

I’d hope that Leica would make a mft camera body some day. There is a lot of Leica badged mft lenses already, like my favourite Leica 15/1.7. An mft camera in Leica Q-style would be nice. Without a physical lens attached to it, it wouldn’t be that expensive to produce either. I would buy one!

Above all else, the one thing I would love to see in one of these compact cameras is a different aspect ratio. A Q or Fuji X camera with a native 4x5 aspect ratio would be an absolute must buy for me.

A few years back I was shooting w. a Panasonic Lumix LX100 which, w. its' Leica lens had a whopping max. aperture of 1,4. You could shoot in almost total darkness pics that looked like daylight. However I sold it in favour of a Fujifilm X-E2 camera. The major con I had was dirt on the lens due to the zoom sucking in dust (Typically). The good thing was that its's price was only a fraction of what the almost if not identical camera D Lux was commanding on the market. At some later time I purchased a Olympus PEN F which I started to use again just recently. Those micro 4/3 cameras definitely are no inferior to my bigger FF cameras. In fact you can use vintage man. lenses and double focal length without the large and heavy masses you would have to get along when shooting w. equivalent FF lenses. And like you said, It's hard to tell the difference when looking at photos.

Any thoughts on the tri fold lens cover thingy? I mean it looks incredibly fragile to me but I've never held it.

Well I had the D-lux 7, which was my entry into Leica systems, ... got Q very shortly after then a M4 and for real I so much loved the images I was getting et I found it very cute too. and honestly M4/3 is a whole different style of photographs you just don't use it for when you need the capabilities of fullframe.

OMG! I had the same fate as yours! My first recording of the review got corrupted and the version i posted was a re-record after i returned the camera to Leica. I had to loan it for a day again after 2 weeks to record the 2nd version of the same review lol

Just a correction tho, when you choose the aspect ratio on this camera. You do not retain the full sensor readout. Whatever ratio you choose, you are stuck with the ration pixel layout of the camera (its not a digital crop). Reason for this is because when you use this camera, you are never 100% using the full sensor to begin with; very similar to the D-LUX7 and DMC-LX100II since it uses the same lens and sensor. Reason for this is because the image circle of the lens does not cover the whole sensor and Panasonic smartly developed this in a way, whatever aspect ratio you use, you will capture a total of 17mp from the 20mp MFT sensor.

Interesting comments. I have a Sony that I only use for low light as its menu is something only a stressed out engineer could love. What I do use for everyday is an Olympus Pen-P3 micro 4/3. It’s small, easy to use and the colors are outstanding. When I show my work no one ask about how many megapixels it has or how old it is. I have been waiting for a new Pen which will probably never happen so the Leica with their updated useable menu and the images I have seen by various reviewers looks real good to me.

8:00 asking people to make a blind guess on their 6" phone screen based off a IG story is like putting a blindfold and ear muffs on someone as a passenger and see if they can tell the difference between a Fiat and a Ferrari in traffic. At the end of the day people would make wrong guesses between a ARRI 65 and iPhone footage in many random scenarios.

Matt, looking forward to your in-depth review. Totally agree with your assessment of m4/3. I have medium format, full-frame, and just got the OMD OM1. Honestly, it is more than enough. Small, light, good, if not great glass, and images that really stand up to processing and can print at 11x14. Plus, if noise is ever an issue, Topaz AI or other software can easily address it. I have the DLux 8 on order. Just have to decide what I will be selling to pay for it and a trip.

I've an EM1 MkII and been printing ,exhibiting and selling prints in A3+. a2 wouldn't be an issue either, I just can't pint in that size. M4/3 is very underrated. I do like the look of the Leica.

What size print can be made from a 17mp sensor?

If you are going to state equivalence for focal length then you need to do the same for the aperture. The lens is a 24-75mm F3.4-5.6 (full-frame eqv.). A far better MFT deal than this fixed-lens model is the Panasonic GX9. You get a tilting EVF, tilt screen, and 5-axis IBIS... not to mention a lens mount. Add the Olympus M.Zuiko 45/1.8 and Panasonic Lumix G 14/2.5 II ASPH for a total price (second-hand) of €935. Compared to €1400 for a used D-Lux 7.

Hmmm. Get a LUMIX GM5 and a DG Leica 15/1.7. Tiny, awesome, flexible and less money despite the premium GM’s carry these days.

Leica is making some really good, easy to use cohesive cameras.

4 things holding me back from this camera; no weather seal, limited cropped senor, no tilty screen, no high res-shot (a m43 solution for small senor)

It's interesting, thanks a lot! It would be great to see some videos about first impressions, and about the experience of working with this micro four-thirds camera. The opinion of a person working with full frame cameras is especially interesting.

looks great - reminds me a little of the Lumix LX 100. I think this could get a following - as you say among street photographers and the casual shooters

I had the original LX100 and loved that camera. It just had one big issue that made me sell it and it was unrealiable AF. It would confirm focus in a moment where it was completely out of focus. It happened 10% of the times but made me crazy.

i'll wait for the panasonic version at a half price

Ned Flanders is among the friendliest and most compassionate Camera tester of the Springfield community.

Its a cool looking camera from Leica with somewhat affordable price. I think enthusiasts might like it. If it would have a flip up screen it would be great little cameral for street photography.

Oh man, clogged ears are so annoying. When I lived in the US, I used a kit sold at Walgreens. It’s basically a pump to irrigate the wax. Hope you get that sorted soon.

I like the simplicity of the buttons on the back of the camera. I have the original Lumix LX100 and find that I accidentally hit buttons and change settings with the palm of my hand. Also agree with Tristan below that the EVF isn't that great, but overall I like it for a camera I can be inconspicuous with on the street. The D-Lux could be an option if I ever want a newer camera that size, since it looks like Lumix discontinued it. Or, like you, just use my Leica M camera.

I wonder how much it costs more than my Panasonic Lumix LX100 II. It is my daily carry and I like it. But to pay more for the Leica dot, not I.

yeah - very nice Panasonic camera ! I had the chance to test it for half an hour and the only real problem that I got with it (besids the price) was the viewfinder ... still looking to a peephole

I had the LX3, then LX5 and LX7. Great cameras. I did not buy the LX100 because thousands complained aboit the dust in the sensor, and was kind of $200 to send for cleaning. And the word was for LX100 II is solved the problem . For about three years I took lovely photos, but the issue with the dust on sensor and the unreliable rocker switch for zoom made it a paperweight only. The Leica fixed it? Not sure, and if they did not, then I would hold my money to buy it…

Oh Matt, I had the ear thing a few months ago. It's super uncomfortable. I am sure you have already been told this but olive oil - lay on your side, put a tiny amount in your ear and leave it for five minutes. Do this three or four times a day and it will eventually dissolve the wax. Multiple medical professionals have told me that olive oil is as good if not better than the over the counter treatments.

MFT is an excellent option for me as an enthusiast. I still have a Canon 5DIII but MFT provides for a much more portable system. Quintessential lenses for me include the LUMIX 15mm f1.7, 14-140mm, Leica 25mm f1.4, and Olympus 75mm and 45mm f1.8. These lenses are extremely light and small compared with FF counterparts. The abundance of used lenses can also present huge bargains. Like many lumix users I am hoping for an updated GX9 to be released sometime.

As a street photographer, my main concern is how fast the camera turns on and how fast it auto focuses? Not to mention if it’s accurate auto focus. Otherwise it’s just another point and shoot camera that doesn’t really compete against the big boys for street photography.

I've used the Lumix LX100 for a few years & it's still amazing. Basically the DLux 8 is the best upgrade, though missing the built-in filters & don't like the lens cap on this one...

Would have liked to see a raw comparison to the Iphone or any high spec phone for that matter.

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

Just for perspective 6mp was generally considered enough to replace most 35mm film. I have a 20x30 of my kids I shot with 4.6mp SD14 not look like it needs more resolution. So 17 in this little cutie is more than enough for Socials and Prints. Honestly the only thing this little P&S is missing is a flipping screen the would swing under like my Z50 does and then you can bring home the killer selfies, because phone selfie cameras are mostly crap. Yeah that is my Z50's super power. Also it include that little flash to light up your backlit shots, so handy.

is the camera out in the US? I still see a pre-order only option on B&H

What I haven't heard addressed is whether the Leica D-Lux 8 is weather and dust-sealed. The Panasonic LX100ii had a huge problem with dust on the sensor and no way to clean it.

Matt, great review. If Leica would have uploaded to a back lite sensor the image quality would be better , over all.

Wish they made a digital minilux. No lcd no menus just small with a sharp 35mm lens and a ovf with frame lines. Just like a point and shoot camera should be.

Instagram stories is like a 1mp image. Print it 70x50cm and then we can talk about quality. If I had only instagram then a phone would be more than enough. But I print alit and APS-C is the smallest sensor I'd go for. Also I like the bokeh and colours more on vintage lenses adapted to digital.

I love my lumix lx100 gen1, even though it is just 12mp, but then I have an interest in macro photographer, so I am not waiting for the new GX9 or something with 10bit 422 and flash sync ability and lightweight.

I am glad to see they are not charging much more than the X100VI, but it’s possible to get a full frame interchangeable compact body camera for that kind of money. (S9 or Sigma FP) Go full frame, get some prime lenses.

Compact, performant cameras for people accustomed to big bodies, fast lenses, and big sensors is such a hard problem. All options have compromises, but Leica/Panasonic really took a unique path with this line. I remember looking for a solution like 6 years ago. I had a Pentax MX-2, X100S, and also OM-D EM10 w/ 20mm f/1.7. None were perfect. I tried the Z fc last year with 26mm and kit zoom. As a fling it was fine but fell short. 😢 Curious about the D-LUX3 and possible future Panasonic cousin.

this camera always shoots in a crop with 1:1 using the full height and 16:9 using the full width but 4:3 and 3:2 both crop in

Having a m240, q2 and a dlux109, i often wonder what the point is having the others when my dlux can handle 80% of myphotog needs lol

X100VI has a bigger sensor than Leica ?

This seems that this is all that there will be as Leica's big price hike on the model implies Panasonic have walked away. Panasonic have just released a new Z80D super zoom at a very reasonable price so I would imagine Leica are not worried about competition here.

I realize you didn't intend to compare the Medium format sensor to the M4/3 sensor in terms of output. I mean if I were shooting for a billboard or an art piece I would take the Medium sensor everyday. For online presentation ya I get it the quality seems superb for that avenue...

I never knew Leica is into M43 system. And not just Panasonic and OM Systems. This should help the format going forward. Thanks for short review. I got what I wanted.

Is the design an H. R. Giger collab?

Really hoping for an lx100 iii, after having shot with the original for the past decade.

I’m fine with 17mp if the camera has other things going for it. But I also don’t love the form factor. It’s small, but the lens still protrudes a couple inches out while closed. So it doesn’t look very pocketable. I also don’t love the lens cover mechanism. Seems a bit fragile to me. And the ergonomics. I think a point and shoot should be one hand operable. The way a Ricoh is. Perhaps this camera can be operated with one hand, but the lack of grip worries me. I do agree with your Pepsi challenge though. Most people don’t need more than specs like this.

Looks like an upgraded Lumix LX100, wouldn't be shocked if it was Panasonic that made this camera lol

Well, Mpx is a not topic and most people don’t get its right. If you don’t print very large and watch your photos on screens most of the time, 17 Mpx is massive. Keep in mind that the resolution of a 4k screen is “only” 8,3 Mpx.

People way overestimate their needs for megapixels/sensor size. Personally, I don't think the d-lux 8 is a great value, but it's not a bad camera. I'd probably opt for importing an olympus ep7 instead if I wanted something tiny, but I can see why people would get this camera.

It looks leica Panasonic DC- LX100M2

this is going to be a great introduction to Leica to a lot of people

It's too bad they couldn't have jammed an APS-C sensor in there. That would have made it compelling, even if there was some redesign involved.

Isn't this just an old Lumix LX100 II with worse controls? I don't get it.

I like the Q-like ergo…but 17MP is gonna tank this camera. That isn’t probably fair, but yeah.

nice lx100 II with leica case at double price

Leica people are great entertainment for us folks who aren't brainwashed.

saw the lens pop out and was immediately disappointed lol

The one thing I am disappointed about with the Leica M system is that Leica has totally neglected flashes. That tiny little flash is the #1 selling point for the D-lux for me anyway!! Too bad it's a Panasonic flash system and it won't work on an M! The tiny and perfectly automatic fill flashes are the main thing that I miss about Olympus and Panasonic cameras (after having sold them and purchased an M10).

Everyone keeps ragging on this camera for using an old sensor and that its a rebadged LX100ii. But most modern sensors are good enough for most people's needs. Also last I've seen a sued LX100ii goes for close or over $1000 USD. A Ricoh GRIII is from 2019 is still being sold today (if you can find one) with no new model in sight and the X100VI is soldout everywhere. There are demands for large sensor compacts and Leica just gave us one even if its slightly old tech. At the end of the day this camera is available today and the price is reasonable considering the alternatives are overpriced used cameras or soldout,

nice camera

Formatted the SD card with the recording…. Lol

GO see an ent and check your hearing. 😊

Nice camera, but I’d rather buy a LUMIX GX85 for a fraction of the price and it still retains a filmic look to it. Plus, I can change the lenses at my leisure.

Wondering how it compares to the Fujifilm X100iv? IQ, AF etc...

The 80s mustache look that most cops Had back then. Holy crap!! 😅

That guess choice off instagram just proves no one knows any better when picking photos and cameras. For the most part, it just looks like a digital photo with the choice skewed by what people think you’d shoot.

I have a D-Lux that I bought almost 10 years ago, and as much as I know it has the same lens and sensor, and I love it. It’s small, compact and discreet, the images are more than enough, and offers lots of creative possibilities. The limit is myself as a photographer. Not being a pro, this could perfectly be my only cammera, particularly for street photography. And it’s so, so fun to use!

It's still a good camera but the fact that they released an older (6 years old!) rebadged camera once again is disappointing for the price they are asking. I don't mind the sensor size. But it's hard to pay 1500 usd when the camera with the exact same lens and sensor can be had for less than 500 when you go for the older Panasonic models.

Dear Leica, make this with Panasonic's 20mm f1.7 lens and - nah, I'll just keep my (used) Q.