Name: Charles
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Date: 2007-02-01
Customer Rating: -
Summary: A Real Photographer's Tool
Comment: The V-lux does many things right, and the disadvantages are minor.
After spending an hour with the camera in my living room this evening, I am very impressed with how well it is designed for convenient use. Although the camera manual is over 100 pages long, I only had to check it two times to access all of the needed photographic controls. The lens zoom is controlled by a smoothly rotating mechanical ring, just like an SLR zoom lens. Autofocus, macro focus, and manual focus are switched with an easily accessible switch on lens barrel. There's also a focus button right below that switch to engage the autofocus even when in manual mode. This is terrifically useful.
All of the common settings are quickly accessible through the function button, and no matter what you're doing with settings or picture review, partially pressing the shutter release returns instantly to shooting mode. Again, it's very well thought out as a photographer's tool.
The image stabilization is very effective. I was able to hand hold shots in my living room at 1/5 of a second with little evident camera shake in the photograph. Of course it cannot overcome all shaking, and not all photos were free of some blur from shaking, but I was very pleased with the improvement.
The lens is remarkable. If you've ever used a 12x zoom on an SLR (like one of those Tamron or Sigma zooms) you might not expect much from such a lens design. Leica have lived up to their reputation, however, with this lens. It provides sharp, contrasty images with very little curvature of field (slight at the widest angle and gone quickly as you zoom in). There is no evident vignetting.
The body of the camera is sturdy with an actual, solid door over the connectors (not one of those flimsy pieces of rubber found on most cameras). The camera balances well, and with a hand under the lens for support it's easy to hold steady. The lens barrel is metal, and the provided lens hood fits securely (with the lens cap still useable while the hood is in place).
The fact that the LCD screen swivels down rather than to the side is another very well thought out design that is uncommon. The LCD screen remains more centered on the body when it's folded down, encouraging a more stable hold on the camera. It also more easily allows shooting from the waist than cameras with screens that fold out to the side. This can make it more easy to take candid photos, for example.
The two most common negative comments about the V-lux 1 are that the photos can be noisy and lose detail at ISO above 200, and that there is no reason to pay more for the Leica version of the camera compared to the Panasonic version (FZ-50).
The images taken above ISO 200 are better than I expected from the reviews, and the issue is really no different for other digital cameras with small sensors (e.g. almost everything that is not a full-sized SLR). The image sabilizer, however, allows using a lower, less noisy ISO in many situations when one would otherwise turn up the ISO. Also, it's important to remember that the online reviews tend to concentrate on the full-size appearance of photographs on screen. The actual printed photographs will look much better. If you really need noise-free images at high ISO then you'll get a full SLR. The V-lux is not trying to compete with that niche use. For taking indoor shots at family dinners for printing at normal sizes (up to 8x10, for example), the noise at higher ISO shouldn't be a big concern in my view. When I used film cameras (a Leica M6 for many years), I shot more than 80% of my photographs on ISO 100 slide film. The V-lux 1 provides excellent results at ISO 100 (essentially identical to a full SLR by objective measurement), and a lot more control and versatility than my old M6 (a traditional mechanical rangefinder camera with seriously good Leica lenses).
The other criticism made in reviews is that the Panasonic version is less expensive for the same camera. They certainly share the same lens and body, but Leica has adjusted the image processing to provide more smooth jpeg images, use less aggressive noise reduction (to retain more detail at ISO above 200), and to match the color and contrast characteristics of traditional film shot with Leica cameras. I miss the color palette of Leica lenses that I used to see in my photographs with my Leica M6, and I'm very glad that the V-lux is tuned to provide that. To me, this is a significant advantage since the rich but not cartoonish or unatural Leica color rendition is unique and beautiful. In addition, Leica includes an SD card that holds about 80 photographs at maximum resolution. I'll get a 2Gb card, but this is a very useable backup.
All in all I'm extremely pleased. The V-lux 1 is a real photographer's tool capable of producing results like a full SLR in over 80% of the situations that I would encounter. And in the other 20% it still performs quite well (as well as any non-SLR digital camera) for modest-sized prints and for use online and in e-mail. The tradeoffs, in my view, are minor.
Addendum: I just got the Lowepro Rezo TLZ 20 case and the camera fits perfectly inside (I don't use the camera strap). The top is a bit stiff, but otherwise the case has a soft interior, an unobtrusive storage flap for extra memory cards, and is about the most compact case there is for the camera (it seems comparable to the much more expensive Leica case).
Name: John Kwok
Location: New York, NY USA
Date: 2007-02-25
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Quite Possibly The Best Digital "Bridge" Camera Currently Available
Comment: If you are seeking the finest in optical quality for a multiple purpose, noninterchangeable lens digital camera - what is commonly known as a "bridge camera" for combining some of the best features of digital SLRs with digital compacts - then look no further than the Leica V-Lux 1. True you are paying more by acquiring this version over its cheaper Panasonic sibling, but the advantages are obtaining a far more generous camera warranty and additional software improvements made by Leica. I've handled this camera several times at camera stores and digital imaging trade shows, and each time I have been quite impressed with how well it handles. Indeed, anyone who has handled a film or digital SLR camera before will be pleased with the relative ease in which one can use the Leica V-Lux 1, without having to refer frequently to its lengthy camera instruction manual. I am especially impressed with the optical image stabilizer (MEGA O. I. S.), which has allowed me to take photos hand held at shutter speeds as low as 1/10 a second (If my hands were steadier, then maybe I could get as low as 1/5 a second, which another reviewer has claimed.). I also appreciate the swivel 2.0" TFT display, which offers the user complete freedom with regards to image framing and perspective. This looks like the perfect camera for travel, sports, and maybe, some landscape photography too. My only major disappointment with the Leica V-Lux 1 is that this camera seems noiser at ISO speeds higher than 200, with some noticeable loss in image quality, especially at the highest ISO speeds of 1600 and 3200. However, I think most users will be more impressed with the possibility of using ISO speeds as low as 80 and 100, in a camera that has a shutter speed range from 1 to 1/2000 seconds in most of its modes, and an aperture range of f2.8 to 11 (at its widest wide angle setting) and f3.7 to 11 (at its telephoto setting). The superb Leica-designed, Panasonic-built Leica CD Vario-Elmarit 7.4-88.8mm f2.8 - f3.7 ASPH zoom lens (equivalent to 35 - 420mm in 35mm film format) is truly an optical jewel, offering superb performance that is on par with the best Zeiss zoom Sony Cybershot lenses.
Name: Scott Rysdon
Location: Sioux Falls, SD United States
Date: 2007-01-23
Customer Rating: -
Summary: The Replacement
Comment: I have operated many cameras... Including Hasselblads, Rollex, Speed Grafix, Leica 3G, Nikon F, Nikon FE2 and many others in getting my degree in Photographic Marketing. Unfortunately for me the digital revolution has passed me by, because of my devotion to the Art of Photography. Speed, Composition and downright quality were missing in the digital medium unless you were willing to spend 3-10,000 on a commercial outfit.
I had always wondered who would fill the sub $1,000 category and produce the replacement.
I heard about the Leica Lux 1 on the Disney Cruise last week and purchased one on the spot. I knew of Leica's quality and although the camera is manufactured in Japan. I was impressed. The fit and finish of the camera had the "proish feel" without the weight of a brass body. the location of the controls was intuitive and gave me a feeling of control when creating the final image... not like a regular point and shoot digital.
I took the camera and the supplied 512 mb card to the theater on the ship and immediately saw the amazing capabilities of the 35-420 zoom. At midtheater of 1000 seats (40-60 feet away) I was taking pictures of sweat beads on the preformers foreheads in difficult lighting. I was stopping action with the High sensitivity mode at 5mp on an auto mode I still cannot believe works that well. The integrated zoom and function wheels allow you to see the detail by zooming in on your image after you create it up to 16x.
The cheaper digitals I have owned had an annoying lag before the picture was taken virtually eliminating action shots. With three children who are always moving I was missing an important part of their lives. Now, I have complete control over a digital format to capture the action, without always using a flash to "blast" the victim. All the while composing the shot with the zoom gave me a freedom I had not felt for a long time.
You may not believe it, but I was so impressed, two days later I purchased the Leica Lux 3 compact for my wife so she could be liberated from the substandard digital point and shooters we have been buying. At $600 it was not an easy decision, but I am happy to say it produces images just as outstanding in quality (without the zoom) as the Lux 1. I finally said to myself, I don't want to spend the money, but I don't want to miss out on the great moments of my childrens lives either with poor photos that cannot tell the story in vivid color.....
Write me if you have questions, sgrysdon@msn.com
Name: JFD
Location: North Carolina
Date: 2006-12-27
Customer Rating: -
Summary: The Leica I've been waiting for!
Comment: First off, no I haven't used the Panasonic DMC-FZ50 and with a Leica lens it may be as good as the V-LUX 1 but it'll never be a Leica and it's not a Panasonic I've wanted my whole life!
I just got the V-LUX 1 for Christmas and haven't truly given it a good thorough shakedown, but I experimented quite a bit on Tuesday and my first impression is a good one - all bias aside, really.
The V-LUX 1 behaves like my old 35mm SLRs, fully automatic to fully manual and it does what I tell it to. My cheaper digitals often delay before taking a picture, causing me to miss many action shots, both at sporting events and with my kids at play. I'm constantly deleting pictures of empty fields and playgrounds, where the action once was but is no more. My cheap digitals sometimes even refuse to take pictures they "determine" won't come out, the Leica takes the picture and let's me decide, just like my trusty old 35 mm SLR (I will miss it so). The V-LUX 1 feels like my old SLRs, solid and sturdy ("Substantial" I like to call it), not light and hollow ("Cheap I like to call it).
If you're a 35mm holdout (as I still am at heart), not a believer in digital yet, you are correct, 10.1 MP doesn't hold a candle to 35mm ISO 64 film but it sure makes a nice 8x10. It's a Leica and under a grand. What's not to like? I do love this camera. Thank you Leica for bringing real photography to the sub $1,000 digital market!
Bottom line - BUY IT (and a good 1 GB+ SD card)
Name: Federico Lawrence
Location:
Date: 2007-01-13
Customer Rating: -
Summary: Leica V-Lux 1
Comment: The Leica V-Lux 1 is a digital camera which combines high-performance optics and outstanding picture quality in a compact camera body. From spacious landscape shot, macro close-up shots through to photos of far distant objects in super telephoto mode, the lens with its 12 time zoom creates outstandings picture results in all photographic situations. The integral picture stabilizer gives the user additional protection against camera shake, even under difficult lighting conditions. While this camera is based on the Panasonic's DMC-FZ50 it has image processing adjustments as defined by Leica. This camera is a great product for the money.
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