Leica announces C-LUX 1

The Panasonic-Leica cross-branding continues with the C-LUX 1, the venerable camera maker's latest licensed shooter. It's not at all different from Panasonic's 6 megapixel DMC-FX01 (besides the branding, of course), which is probably a good thing, since the FX01's a hot little number. If you didn't catch it the first time around, expect optical image stabilization, the latest Venus image processor, 3.6x optical zoom, and the signature super-simple Panasonic interface.

[Via Photography Blog]

[Scoobydoo @ Apr 1st 2006 6:33PM]

Looks to me more like it is based on the old(er) DMC-FX9.

[jose caballero @ Sep 25th 2006 5:23PM]

Will a marine waterproof housing made by panasonic for a DMC-FX01 fit a leica C-lux?
I cannot find a housing for the leica.
JC

[zverg @ Apr 1st 2006 8:18PM]

Scoobydoo, the FX01 is not the first camera on the link, it is the second one.

[Jason @ Apr 1st 2006 9:48PM]

I doubt it's the latest Venus engine unless they have put the Venus III engine in this camera. The FX01 has the Venus II and image quality in anything other than sunny daylight is hardly up to snuff.

[Ryan Block @ Apr 1st 2006 9:59PM]

Actually no, the FX01 uses the Venus Engine Plus LSI.

[Scoobydoo @ Apr 1st 2006 10:43PM]

Zverg; what I meant was that this Leica looks like it is a rebranded FX9 and not an FX01. This Leica has the exact same specs as the FX9.

[LiveSquid @ Apr 2nd 2006 3:19AM]

Scoobydoo.. I have an FX9 and its body is identical down to the OIS button.

[Androo @ Apr 2nd 2006 4:45AM]

It's the FX01!! Not the FX9. And Engadget missed the whole point: the 28mm wide angle lens. That's why Leica want it.

[Mike @ Apr 2nd 2006 7:09AM]

C-LUX? They should co-market with Chick-fil-a. :)

[MinceyFresh @ Apr 2nd 2006 7:10PM]

The C-LUX 1 looks almost identical to the Lumix FX9 because it's based on the build of the FX01, which *also* looks almost identical to the FX9. Hehe. :D

If you look directly at the lens, you'll notice that the C-LUX 1 and the FX01 have that same wide angle lens (you'll notice that the shape of the lens on the two are a little more rounded than on the FX9). You can also read the lens info printed on the perimeter of the lens and notice that it's different from what's printed on the FX9.

[AutoDas @ Apr 2nd 2006 10:50PM]

well only if its priced the same as the fx01 I dont see why not getting this one instead. It is better looking.

[chico sajovic @ Apr 3rd 2006 12:21AM]

I have the Pany FX9 and I find the images to contain a lot of noise. Hopefully the new image processor fixes that

[MikeWarner @ Apr 3rd 2006 6:17PM]

Typical! I just bought a Panasonic Lumix FX7. Looks the same as this, just wish it had all the features of the Lieca version. Oh well.

[j bruns @ Apr 22nd 2006 7:37AM]

when do you think i will be able to buy the leica c-lux 1? i am really hoping it makes the retail market asap. any thoughts?