The Baby Leica Arrives

The Leica D-Lux 7 got here two days ago. I took an immediate liking to it. It's outdated now—it's the predecessor to the forthcoming D-Lux 8, which isn't available yet. I thought I'd take a preliminary reading on the form-factor so I know whether or not I might want to try out the D-Lux 8 when the time comes.

Each time I get something from Lensrentals, I'm impressed all over again. A cardboard box taped over in proprietary tamper-proof tape arrives. Inside is a ridiculously sturdy hard case that could probably protect a china teacup in a tornado. Inside that is a soft case, with a strap, that you can use as a camera bag if you want to; and inside that is whatever you rented, strap attached and battery all charged up, along with any extras that go along with it, neatly bagged. In a folder is the return label and several lengths of repackaging tape on paper backing. To return it you just reverse the unboxing process—not even having to scrounge up your own tape—apply the readymade label, and drop it off at the carrier. In between you get a cool new camera to play with.

Honestly, it's seldom business for me, although of course rentals are just that for many people who depend on them as part of making their living. They feel to me more like an indulgence—like a pedicure, or a luxurious hot bath (my home has no bathtub, just a shower, and I miss it sometimes) or dinner at your favorite guilty-pleasure restaurant. Granted, I'm lucky in that I don't have to pay for them. Having to do so might steal a little of the glow. But Lensrentals makes the whole process so frictionless that it's not hard to think of it as a treat for oneself.

As such, I recommend it just for the pure pleasure and fun of it. Give yourself a week with an alluring piece of exotica a few times a year to recharge your own batteries and refresh your enthusiasm.

More about the Leica(slash-Panasonic) D-Lux 7 in due course, if I decide to write about it.

Mike

P.S. See you on Sunday—I'm off on Saturdays to do housework and yardwork.

Original contents copyright 2024 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Comments

[Rick Popham]

Well, Mike got a camera from Lensrentals. Cue the bad weather.

[The wind is howling and the rains are coming as I write this. No kidding. :-) --Mike]

[Alan]

Just my very humble opinion. I think anyone who buys one of these needs medical help. Buy the Panasonic.

[Albert Smith]

I look at that camera and I think, "Wow, looks like the kind of camera I'd like to own!" And then I remember that I have the silver Fujifilm XE-3, which looks like the Leica's twin, but with a bigger sensor and lens interchangeably. I'm good.

[Jeff]

Remember that the new one, while same IQ, incorporates more user friendly controls and interface, consistent with the Q and other more recent Leica models. It also includes flash and supports DNG format. Plus some new accessories…grip, etc.

[Jez Cunningham]

I thought you might be about to mention Leica’s acquisition of Fjorden (and their iPhone grip) and the related apps. Looks like something to watch…

[JOHN B GILLOOLY]

I'm curious how much Leica actually does under the hood to the Panasonic version? Is this actually the same camera with a different logo? Or is this sort of the same as a Toyota and a Lexus where yes, it's the same chassis and form factor but with upgraded parts?

[Dan Khong]

I think the D-Lux 8 is better looking with less cheap looking chrome all over the face.

[Andrew L]

My favorite part of the Panasonic version of this camera (which I owned ever so briefly) was the "step zoom" function, where you can set the zoom lever to toggle between common focal lengths, instead of holding it down to do the all-too-familiar power zoom dance of the 1990s and 2000s era cameras. When you enable this setting, a nudge of the lever takes it from 24, 28, 35, 50 and 75. Fast and intuitive!

I'm also really curious about the D-Lux 8, and how come Panasonic doesn't seem interested in releasing it.

[Andrew L]

Also! (Sorry.) The D-Lux 8 will have an updated OLED EVF (specs wise it seems to be the same one as the Panasonic G95 and G85). The D-Lux 7 has the old color-switching LCD EVF from the GX7, GX85 and GX9. No one really likes that EVF. Don't judge the forthcoming PanaLeica by the EVF of the old one.

[John Krill]

Kinda looks like my Fujifilm X-e4.

Currently used X-e4 are costing in the $1200.00 range.

Looking more and more like Leicas.

[Stan B.]

I got a used Q, it's bigger brother, which I love- as would anyone who appreciates a quality 28mm; it's a lovely, reliable imagemaker- in use and consequence. That said, should I have to do it starting fresh- I'd probably go with a used 28mm SONY lens and body, a new Viltrox 20mm and a used 40mm SONY! To each, their own...

[Gary]

I have a little lapel pin from a clever company called "Shoot Film Co." that has the red dot and the familiar Leica script. It says, "Like...uh."

[James]

I like working with them too. But for me, it is a rare treat. If I can't afford to buy the camera, I probably can't really afford to rent it either. I have this heuristic because, often enough, I like whatever I rent enough to keep it.

[Ed Hawco]

If it’s anything like my Panasonic LX100, beware the exposure compensation dial. It has a mind of its own. You think it won’t move by itself, but every time you take it out of your bag it’s on +2 or -1.3 or +3… Always need to check it.

[Ken Ford]

I’ll check out the D-Lux 8 when it becomes available, it might make a nice supplement to my Q2M. I never considered a D-Lux 7 because I despise the flat back wheel with a white hot passion. I’m hoping you’ll choose to write about this one.

I’d be more likely to buy the Leica version over the so far unannounced Panasonic assuming they continue with the proprietary tuning.

[Kye Wood]

If I replaced the badges on my Suzuki Swift Sport hatchback with Porsche Carrera GT badges, it's still going to be a Suzuki Swift.

Just sayin'

[Stephen Jenner]

Mike,

I have had a Lumix LX5 from new, and I had borrowed the LX3 before that, it was my first digicam, after I had played with a friend’s 1 or 2 m-pix Casio and said LX3 camera for a few days previously to that. I think there might be a little difference in the sensor, the LX5 is 4/3rds, but I think the LX3 was a tad smaller, maybe 1/7th.

I like it, at some point I bought the DMW-LVF1 articulating viewfinder, making a nice little pocket camera. Indeed the LX3/5 experience was what started my Leica phase, which has been continuing ever since.

I eventually bought my Q2, and I love it, it is complete, there is nothing extra needed, and as I said a few days back, in the right hands, delivers superb photo’s.

The images don’t look like images, they look like photographs.

The only differences between the Q2 and Q3 are that there is an extra frame size option, the Q2 has 47 m-pixels and the Q3 has 60, I think.

My daughter took it to the Cannes film festival, and while she and her team of pro’s were hanging about, they all had a play, and took some great shots, of each other along with various ’stars’ in their civvies wandering around town before the actual festival.

As for the LX5, I think that I might charge it and take it out when I go for the daily walk with the wife, her friend and said friend’s Lab.

We walk about four miles a day with that dog, who just loves to meet all his friends in the park.

Everyone knows and loves Buddy.

[jp41]

I am pleasantly surprised on the follow through of your investigation of the Leica D-Lux 7. (I expected this subject to go the way of the Ricoh GR and Fujifilm medium format camera teasers.) I hope you do write more about this compact camera with its threaded lens (and addition of a lens filter). The Panasonic version of this model has a front grip, which is missing on the Panasonic Leica variant (a mistake IMHO).

[Ken Tanaka]

I hope you enjoy your week with Leica's D-Lux 7. Lensrentals is excellent for making such larks. I've certainly done it many times! (Actually, I think I rented the D-Lux 7* myself a few years back!) Hope your weather is as nice as ours has been.

----
* Personally, I didn't cozy-up to either the D-Lux 7 or its Lumix counterpart when i tried them some years back. I think I was deeply into the APS-C Sony NEX cameras which offered more everything for greater flexibility.

The upcoming D-Lux 8 doesn't attract me, either. But to each his/her own. The only important thing is the images!

[Peter]

I was given a 7 last year, by my wife, as a birthday present. She shops at a higher level than I do. That said, I haven't used the camera much, but find that I have a problem with it's size. I don't have very large hands and find holding it/working with it to be finicky and am only comfortable when it is firmly attached to me via a wrist strap. Not comfortable with pulling it out of a jacket pocket until said strap is attached. One of the more difficult manuals to read.

I had become used to using a Fuji X100T with an added grip and thumb rest, so maybe that spoiled me for the Leica ergonomics. Not complaining as I do like having the zoom.

[Moose]

Just note that the D-Lux 8 physical interface is very different from the D-Lux 7.

It moves strongly toward simplicity, fewer controls. As you blather endlessly write often wishing for this, perhaps you will like it.

[Moose]

Andrew L saith "No one really likes that EVF."

Not true, at least one heavy user did. (I had three of them, only one now - mostly nostalgia.) Didn't like the tilting feature, though.

I'm notoriously VF agnostic. I like the GM5 and am fine with the Z200.