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.
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