Final Thoughts: Leica D-Lux 8

Welcome to my Youtube Channel! This is my second YouTube video sharing my final thoughts on the Leica D-Lux 8. Most importantly, thank you to everyone who took the time to watch and comment on my first video.

Stay tuned for more!

#leica #leicadlux8 #photography #photographer #ulanzi #camera #thankyou

[jeffchastain]

It's so nice to listen to David. He has so much knowledge of the cameras and the history. I watched a video the other day, by some youngster YouTube influencer telling me all about how Panasonic has HELPED LEICA design all their modern lenses, including the lens on the D-Lux 8 and the lens on the Q3! Panasonic helped Leica design a lens?? How ignorant can you be? So it's refreshing to hear our leaders of the photographic world who actually know the the history of photography talk about the new gear as it is released. And talk about it in context of what has come before.

[Footski]

You really speak common sense. Thank you.

[escornwell]

Thank you. As a casual photographer for whom Leicas have always been out of reach, I am very intrigued by the D-LUX 8, and have absorbed much of the online analysis. The concerns raised in the MacFilos post casued me to look instead at the D-LUX 7 and Typ 109, but I did not enjoy where the cold logic of missing zoom functions was leading me. However your answer provided the simple observation that had escaped me: those functions are a Panasonic thing, not a Leica thing. Every brand has its own signature, which may include different functions and priorities. To me, a design philosophy which elevates the photography experience above a clutter of handy tricks and shortcuts, is more important than megapixels and burst rates. Thank you for reminding me of that.

[ArminHirmer]

Had the Q2 monochrome, the Q3. Both quite big for what they are and with only 28mm too limiting for me. The GR3X nice but boring. Sony RX100 VII is somewhere in a drawer... This one looks interesting, I just wished they would have put a tillable screen in it and some good IBIS. Body grew a bit compared to the 7, so there might have been some space :) and yes regarding comparisons... one can always find something against it or for it. Some just appreciate a camera for what it promises to be and not complaining about things it cannot do. I think it I a neat little camera and will provide a good shooting experience and that is what matters for me

[carolynwheeler]

I really like your comments here. I have several Leicas and love them all. They are mechanical marvels and am proud to own them. I get very tired of constant criticisms and evaluations. I put my money on Leica philosophy.

[spikebbc]

I am on the waitlist and can’t wait to have this camera. It checks every box for my needs. I have read so many people how disappointed they are and the fact that not much has change. However, there is something to say about not changing something that just works. Leica have updated what they needed to and left things alone that did not need changing.

[_cyclofob]

We have now achieved a culture that only looks for defects in new products. In some cases, we look for supposed errors based on personal preferences. In addition, the usual reviews only contain a list of all the specs that I can read anyway, which basically makes them obsolete.

[philrubin]

Spot on and toda raba. Just bought one and I love the iq, size and feel. Makes me love shooting again, more than anything I’ve shot with…and especially the results.

[andytheghosthunter]

I think the D-Lux 8 is going to be my next camera. I used to own the Panasonic LX100 and then the MkII and those cameras were by far my most used. I loved just about everything about those cameras and the D-Lux 8 is a continuation on the Lumix. It's more Leica now but still has a fair amount of Panasonic inside it which is a good thing. It looks like Panasonic are not going to release a new verson of the LX100 camera so I'm saving up for the Leica. I have always wanted a Leica Q3 or M camera so this will be my entry into the world of Leica. Can't wait!!!

[pianoman]

Mine arrives tomorrow and very the years I have been with Pentax and Fuji and Nikon and heard lots of comments when new models come out .
I was almost deterred and put off by all the negative comments but I have always right or wrongly followed my own intuition and I’m glad I have done .
Roll on tomorrow. Great video

[GodfreyMann]

⁠I’ve decided for the Fuji X100 VI instead of the D-Lux 8, because:
(a) the Fuji takes better shots at 35mm,
(b) the Leica is basically an f/3.4-5.6 FF equivalent lens which means sacrificing shallow depth of field.
(c) Fuji’s 40MP APS-C sensor can take 70mm FF equivalent shots by cropping in post to give a 10MP image, which is still usable but only just. So all I’d be giving up is the Leica’s wide end, but that’s okay, because I can just stitch together panorama’s for wide-angled landscape/architecture shots.

[dasistac]

I have 0 knowledge of photography. My girlfriend, however, is a professional photographer, I love watching her do her job, and for sometime I wanted to participate with her. I bought the leica dlux8… IT HAS BEEN A BLAST. As a total amateur (with her guidance) I have had so much fun shooting i dont care for anything else. Leica dlux8 is fun.

[phasebook]

Thank you for this video. It was definitely very helpful for me and saved me from making a bad purchase. In my opinion, the zoom stops, which you could even save as presets on the Panasonic-based D Lux 5/6/7, are essential. After all, nobody would think of eliminating such focal length markings on a Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8.

[markusreineck]

A brilliant video about this camera. On my last long-distance trip I decided to buy a compact camera that I could take with me even when I dont't want to carry my camera backpack the whole time. I have the X100V. But this camera is too big for this purpose. It also has no zoom. Otherwise there is nothing else on the market that would fit from my point of view. I like the overall package of the D-Lux. It seems ideal for my purpose and the price is okay for what is offered. The only alternative might be the potential successor to the Sony RX100 VII. But this is pure speculation at the moment.

[dgutie]

I just got my D Lux 8..I love it! I walked into a local Leica store and they had 1 available! Took a few photos and they look great! I have a lot to learn about this little camera, but I’m excited!

[nosher_]

One of my all time favourite compacts for street & B&W, is the D-Lux 4 which I still use a lot to this day. A game changer for me on the newer models would be the inclusion of a flip out screen. I find that one feature so useful for shooting more discreetly with some of my other cameras. As for dorks who say it should have phase detect, 40 MP, blah, blah, blah - even my old model 4 is light years ahead of what renowned photographers were shooting with back in the day 😊

[MichaelNgvyen]

Hey David.. Really like your thoughts here. Balanced and fair, I appreciate it!

[peterfritzphoto]

Another excellent, straightforward discussion, David. Your calm and rational approach to all of this is refreshing.

[tuftufclub]

I loved your review ! Nononse and straight to the subject ! Greatings, take care, Roger ;-)

[vitvel]

I've had a D-Lux 7 and used it for about a month. I liked the colors but didn't love the experience. To me, the redeeming factor is the Summilux lens. Coming from a bunch of Fuji cameras (XPro2, XE4, XT3, XT2) and lenses, I much prefer Fuji. I currently have an X100T and I am very thankful that I traded my Dlux7 with it. The image quality I get from the X100T is cleaner and sharper, in my opinion. Plus I'm a 35mm guy. I've gotten used to having a prime lens. I'm not sure about the Dlux8, since they've improved a lot of things except the size of the sensor and resolution. Now, Leica Q is a different beast altogether. I'm super impressed by its IQ and handling. If I am to purchase another Leica soon, it will be one of the Q models.