Deluxe D-Lux: New Leica compact camera adds quality and luxury

By Daven Mathies November 20, 2018

1 of 5

leica d lux 7 announcement hero — Image used with permission by copyright holder

leica d lux 7 announcement lens detail — Image used with permission by copyright holder

leica d lux 7 announcement featured — Image used with permission by copyright holder

leica d lux 7 announcement front — Image used with permission by copyright holder

leica d lux 7 announcement top — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Essentially a rehoused Panasonic Lumix LX100 II, the D-Lux 7 adds Leica styling — and price — to Panasonic tech. The camera retains much from its predecessor, but brings some needed updates and refinements, like a 17-megapixel Four Thirds sensor, a welcome increase from the 12.8 megapixels of its predecessor. Somewhat confusingly, the D-Lux 7 is a direct update over the D-Lux Typ 109, not the D-Lux 6, which was an older model based on the Panasonic LX7.

The D-Lux series has always been about putting big camera quality in a go-anywhere package, and the D-Lux 7 adds features that make it even more versatile for travel photography. In addition to Wi-Fi, it now uses Bluetooth 4.2 for always-on connectivity with the Leica Fotos app (Android, iOS). It can also charge over USB-C, so if the battery drains while you’re out on a mountain trail, all you need is a portable USB charger to top it up again.

The D-Lux 7 offers the same streamlined body as the Typ 109, with a shape that mimics the look of Leica M series rangefinders, albeit much smaller and without interchangeable lenses. The 2.76-million-dot electronic viewfinder is also unchanged, but is still quite good for a camera of this class. The LCD screen, however, has seen a modest bump in resolution from 921,000 to 1.2 million pixels.

Several variants of Panasonic’s Post Focus technology also make it into the camera, including focus stacking. This is based on the 4K Photo mode which can record a fast burst of 4K-resolution photos while adjusting the focus between frames. Video specifications remain the same, offering 4K at 30 frames per second or 1080p up to 60 fps.

A key element of the D-Lux 7 remains the Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm (full-frame equivalent) f/1.7-2.8 lens, the same lens found on the Typ 109. It offers a 3.1x zoom that balances versatility with size constraints while offering a bright aperture that pairs nicely with the large sensor. For a compact camera, you won’t find light gathering capability better than this, which helps the D-Lux 7 perform well in low light situations without needing a flash.

The D-Lux 7 is available now for a price of $1,195, just about $200 more than the Panasonic LX100 II.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Daven is a contributing writer to the photography section. He has been with Digital Trends since 2016 and has been writing…

Photography

This Canon 4K camera has a $150 price cut at Best Buy

The Canon EOS R50 4K Mirrorless Camera.

If you’ve been on the lookout for camera deals, we’ve got an amazing one to share! Best Buy is selling the Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera for $650 this week. That’s a $150 markdown from its original $800 price! For decades, Canon has been one of the most respected brands in the consumer tech space, and its cameras are some of the best in the business.

Why you should buy the Canon EOS R50 camera
There’s a few core components running the show here: The 24.2-megapixel CMOS Sensor is the R50’s powerful processor. There are plenty of variables at play when snapping pictures, and Canon’s CMOS ensures that you’ll always get the best-looking image possible; even when shooting in light-starved environments. But a camera is nothing without lenses, and the R50 comes with the Canon RF-S 18-45mm Standard Zoom. Unobtrusive and easy to toss in a camera bag, you’ll be able to take the RF-S wherever you and your camera body venture.

Photography

GoPro HERO11 and HERO12 action cameras have $100 discounts

GoPro HERO12 offers waterproof use.

Best Buy currently has some fantastic discounts on the GoPro Hero11 and Hero12 for anyone who’s been waiting for the best GoPro deals around. If you’re looking to capture all the magic of the action around you rather than anything regular camera deals can provide, this is your chance to do so while saving plenty of money. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect from both of them, and bear in mind that the deals are likely to end soon.
GoPro Hero11 Action Camera -- $250, was $350

Consistently responsible for some of the best action cameras around, the GoPro Hero11 Action Camera is a great place to start. It allows you to shoot video with up to 5.3K resolution at 60 frames per second. It also has 8x slow motion at 2.7K while you can pause any of the 5.3K videos and take 15.8MP still photos. For standard image snapping, you can shoot at up to 27MP. It’s all aided by the GoPro Hero11 Action Camera’s HyperView digital lens with 8:7 aspect ratio which captures more of the scene in each shot. There’s also HyperSmooth 5.0 video stabilization for better low-light performance and horizon levelling via the high tilt limit. A rugged design, webcam mode, front display, and rear touch screen all add to the quality of this camera so there’s plenty to enjoy here.

Mobile

The best camera phones in 2024: our top 8 photography picks

A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

In the past decade or so, cameras on smartphones have evolved so much that they can pretty much replace a standalone digital camera for most people. The results you can get on a smartphone these days are just so impressive, and being able to be with you at all times means you'll never miss a moment.

But what if you want the best possible camera phone money can buy? A camera that won't let you down no matter what you're taking a picture of? You've come to the right place. Here are the very best camera phones you can buy in 2024.