Leica D-LUX 3 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)The brand new Leica D-Lux 3 is a stylish update of the popular Leica D-Lux 2 which was available in limited release late last year. It carries on the now grand tradition of Leica digital point and shoot cameras with improved optical image stabilizing and enhanced Leica-designed firmware for ultimate image quality. I had the chance to use this camera briefly twice recently, and was extremely impressed with both its easy handling and superior image quality. Like its predecessor it offers three different types of image formats. But, best of all, you don't need to rely on the camera manual to pick it up and use it immediately (EDITORIAL NOTE: I had the opportunity to use the camera from 11/20/06-11/30/06 primarily to photograph some of the most impressive Christmas store displays here in New York, NY, and to photograph fellow Brunonian - and former classmate - author Rick Moody at a private reception held in his honor prior to a public event featuring him at the venerable 92nd Street Y. I'm greatly impressed with both the image quality and the realistic color saturation of the images I took using the least amount of .jpeg compression at a maximum pixel size of 8.5 Mb. I am grateful to Leica Camera USA for allowing me to borrow a current production version of this camera.).Although the Leica D-Lux 3 is available in a superb black finish, I am more than a bit partial to chrome, since the chrome version reminds me more of such classic Leica M-mount 35mm rangefinder cameras like the M3 and M4.

The Leica D-Lux 3 has approximately the same dimensions and features as its illustrious predecessor (Dimensions (WxHxD) - 4.2 x 2.3 x 1 inches (105.7 x 58.3 x 25.6mm) Weight - 6.5oz / 7.8oz (185g/220g) (without/with battery, memory card and lens cap)). But it is replete with an extensive list of features that weren't available in the D-Lux 2. For example, I believe there is more opportunity for creative manual control via its manual control features. There is also ample flexibility in available apertures for different kinds of photography from wide angle to telephoto (Aperture - F2.8-F8.0 (wide angle) F4.9-F8.0 (telephoto)). There is also a flexible array of flash options ranging from red eye reduction to second curtain synchronization modes. And then there is a flexible in image format modes. There is a video recording mode in which you can choose between 16:9 and 4:3 formats: - In 16 - 9 format a choice between 1280 x 720 pixels 15 fps or 848 x 480 pixels 30 fps/ 10 fps; in 4 - 3 format a choice between 640 x 480 pixels 30 fps/10 fps or 320 x 240 pixels 30 fps/10 fps. Your only limitation is the storage capacity of the SD card you use. Images can be stored in the following file formats: Still - RAW, JPEG (Fine/Standard), Movie - QuickTime Motion JPEG. Last, but not least, you can dictate the type of digital photography being done and let the camera handle the rest via these scene programs: Portraits, sport, night scenes, night portraits, fireworks, parties, snow, self-portraits, food, high-sensitivity mode, Baby 1, Baby 2, soft skin, candlelight, starry skies, landscapes, print . Quite simply this camera offers so much at a relatively reasonable price for a digital Leica - or indeed any other digital - camera in this class.

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Product Description:
The Leica D-LUX 3 is a compact digital camera with 10 megapixels, & has a LEICADC VARIO-ELMARIT 1:2.8-4.9/6.3-25.2 ASPH lens with a focal range from 28 to 112mm. The optical image stabilizer (O.I.S.) ensures that sharp pictures are obtained without a flash or tripod in critical light situations. The 2.8" display gives the photographer a reliable, precise evaluation while recording & playingThe CCD 16:9 sensor shows the image in the format filling 16:9 ratio. The built-in flash unit is activated manually for fill-in lighting & is neatly concealed within the camera body when not used. There are a number of programmed motive modes as well as the manual setting options for fast as well as creative/individual photography. There is no viewfinder because of the large displaySimply Beautiful:The Leica D-LUX 3 is a compact but powerful companion. Available in black or silver finish, the 10 megapixels D-LUX 3 is an attractive companion with its clean-cut lines. Once again, Leica has combined quality optics and high-grade materials. It will appeal to existing customers & new groupsLeica Lens:From wide-angle to telephoto The D-LUX 3 offers superior image quality not only based on a high resolution. A decisive factor is the LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 6.3-25.2 mm f/2.8-4.9 ASPH. With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8 & an interesting focal length range of 28-112 mm (35 mm format equivalent), there are hardly any limits to photographic creativity. The lens compris

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