Leica introduces exclusive Titanium edition of the D-LUX 4

Leica introduces the D-LUX 4 Titanium limited edition. The technical features of this camera are identical to those of the standard models. The wide range of accessories for the camera, such as the special handgrip, the auxiliary finder or the Leica CF 22 compact flash unit (available from February 2009) are all fully compatible with the titanium edition. This special version is limited to 10,000 cameras worldwide and will be available in a set - together with a premium quality, titanium-colored leather case - from January 2009...

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Leica & Fujifilm Firmware updates

Leica and Fujifi'm have announced firmware updates. Leica’s update for the M8 and M8.2 rangefinders recognizes and incorporates profiles for 4 new M lenses into the camera. It also fixes a problem in discreet mode on the M8.2 and corrects issues with the auto ISO mode, image numbering and displayed sync speed. The firmware update for Fujifilm S5 Pro prevents the camera from freezing while operating it from a computer. Fujifilm has also released updates for its Finepix J Series compacts that fixes minor printing issues.

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Leica S2 with 56% larger sensor than full frame

September 23, 2008: LEICA S2 – Remarkable new camera from Germany redefines the professional DSLR class with a custom 37.5-megapixel, 30 x 45 mm sensor built into a 35mm-sized body.

Some companies tweak the features. At Leica, we transform the concept. That's why the introduction of the flagship Leica S2 is not merely an incremental advance. It is nothing less than a watershed event that sets an entirely new performance standard for professional digital SLRS.

With a custom 37.5-megapixel, 30 x 45 mm sensor that is 56% larger than full frame, it establishes parameters of imaging excellence that are well beyond those obtainable by conventional pro-caliber DSLRs. In the Leica tradition, it utilizes the classic 3:2 aspect ratio that corresponds to the human field of vision and is widely acclaimed as the “Leica Format.”

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Leica D-LUX 3

A successor to the existing D-LUX 2 model, the Leica D-LUX 3 is based on Panasonic's Lumix DMC-LX2 digital camera. The D-LUX 3 couples a ten megapixel imager with the same Leica-branded 4x optical zoom lens with MEGA O.I.S. image stabilisation used in the original camera. The lens yields effective focal lengths from 28 - 112mm - a useful wide angle to a moderate telephoto. There are differences between the Panasonic and Leica versions beyond the nametag, however. Images can be previewed or reviewed on a 2.8" wide LCD display with a better than average resolution of 207,000 pixels, but there's unfortunately no optical viewfinder - something which is sadly becoming rather rare on a lot of digicams these days.

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Leica V-LUX 1

Based on Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ50, the Leica V-LUX 1 couples a ten megapixel imager with a Leica-branded 12x optical zoom lens with MEGA O.I.S. image stabilisation. The lens yields effective focal lengths from 35 - 420mm - a moderate wide angle to a useful telephoto. ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 1600, with the option to extend this to ISO 3200 in high sensitivity mode. Images can be previewed or reviewed on a 2.0" LCD display with a better than average resolution of 207,000 pixels. For those who prefer to hold the camera to their eye, the V-LUX 1 has a 0.44" color electronic viewfinder with 235,000 pixels.

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Leica M8

The Leica M8 features 10 megapixel resolution from a CCD image sensor that yields a 1.33x focal length crop, compatibility with almost all Leica M-system lenses manufactured since 1954, storage on Secure Digital cards, and power from a proprietary Lithium Ion battery. The M8 is clearly designed to reproduce the experience of Leica's classic rangefinders as closely as possible, while substituting a digital sensor for the film - and it looks like the company has succeeded nicely. The M8's lines are clean and classic, and the controls look straightforward and approachable - particularly for anyone used to the company's film cameras.

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Leica Digilux 3

Based on Panasonic's Lumix DMC-L1, the Leica Digilux 3 is the company's first digital SLR offering, compatible with Olympus' Four Thirds lens mount standard. The Digilux 3 is quite an interesting SLR with a traditional - perhaps retro - styling aesthetic that the company says is the work of Berlin designer Professor Achim Heine. It is based around the same 7.5 effective megapixel Live MOS image sensor that first debuted in Olympus' EVOLT E-330 digital SLR, along with the mirror box unit from that camera (which combines a quick-return mirror, viewfinder, and AE sensor). Olympus' Supersonic Wave Filter is also included, making the Digilux 3 the second non-Olympus branded camera to include the feature which ensures dust will not be bothering L1 users.

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Leica C-LUX 2

The new Leica C-LUX 2 is the equivalent of Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FX30 digital camera, a compact seven megapixel model with image stabilized 3.6x optical zoom lens. Changes between the two models are mostly in terms of the product bundle, where Leica's variant ships with a 64MB Secure Digital card while Panasonic does not include a card, and Leica includes Adobe's Photoshop Elements 5.0 software in place of the ArcSoft bundle provided by Panasonic. The camera body is essentially identical other than product logos, and the absence of the oval trim piece on the front of the Panasonic which serves to provide a grip for your fingers.

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