Leica introducing special edition M8.2, D-Lux 4, C-Lux 3 cameras
By Donald Melanson 
posted December 5th 2008 2:07PM
posted December 5th 2008 2:07PM
It's just been a few months since Leica rolled out its standard issue M8.2, D-Lux 4, and C-Lux 3 digital cameras, but it looks like the company is already set to enter the special edition fray, with new, somewhat "limited" versions of each apparently set to roll out over the next few weeks. That includes two special edition versions of the M8.2, one with a Hammertone finish and one with a "green safari" finish, as well as a limited titanium edition of the D-Lux 4 that also comes with a presumably pricey leather case (it'll run $1,400). Slightly less limited is the Zadig & Voltaire-designed C-Lux 3 pictured at right, which is apparently the first of the lot to become available and, at just €670 (or just under $850), one of the cheapest. Read - Leica Rumors, "Two special edition Leica M8.2 coming soon"
Read - Leica Rumors, "Leica D-Lux 4 Titanium limited edition"
Read - Leica Rumors, "Leica C-Lux 3 does fashion"
Special edition FRAY? That poor thing got asswhupped!
That is one sexy looking camera. I might have to cheat on my d90 with this hot little number when I hit the party sceen this holiday season.
This article wasn't very informative... Could someone save me the trouble of perusing the internet and tell me why these cost so much?
One word: Leica
That's what you call being informative?
Leica is one of the most respected camera/lens makers in the world. 'Nuff said.
http://us.leica-camera.com/culture/history/
I have a Panny Lumix FZ-4 that I love. The lens makes the camera. I dream of owning a real Leica.
Leica is a boutique item in camera's world. Its only difference with, say, Vertu is that Leica actually takes high quality photos.
Oh, I get it now! So they are like the Rolls Royce of cameras?
Someone appears to be combing through Engadget and Low Ranking every single one of my posts... oh, well.
And now they're all back up! Interesting...
Woooo... Fugly it is not! Sweet!
I'm satisfied with my Canon SD800/900 series. They produce great pictures for 1/10th of the price and includes ergonomics to hold the camera comfortably. If you're gonna do mega sized wall prints from your point and shoot, you might as well use a medium format or 20+ megapixel SLR, anyway. I respect the Leica brand and their lenses, but some of their stuff is just overpriced boutique crap that gets suckers with too much money to buy it!
Is this thing any different from panasonic's cheap DC?
If it's anything like the Leica-branded FZ-30 from a couple years back, then the hardware would be identical, but the on-board software would be different. If this is just another rebadge of a Lumix, then just buy the Lumix. I'd wager dollars-to-donuts that Panasonic makes the best mainstream P&S cameras on the market right now (dSLR is another story of course).
The C-Lux 3 is essentially the same as a Panasonic DMC-FX37 and the D-Lux 4 is a Pansonic DMC-LX3
Only major differences between the Leica and Panasonic models is the price - maybe something in the colour profiles or image processing etc, but I even doubt that.
I can't believe that even Leica removed the optical view finders from their point and shoots. Ruins it for me.
You can always pick up a used Leica. Except they never really get any cheaper.
You guys are sooo effing gullible. There is a big difference between a legitimate Leica and some Panasonic POS with point and shoot quality Leica glass. You can see the reviews on dpreview and none of these cameras perform as well as the compact Canons that cost much less. Besides, if you think you get good image quality out of a point and shoot of any variety, you are telling the world more about yourself than about your camera.
It looks like it should be Armani branded or something
Id rather have the Panasonic than the fake Leica, but it will probably sell well to the Bose speaker crowd.