D-Lux6
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Leica unveils G-Star RAW edition of D-Lux 6 compact, co-branded with Dutch denim label (video)
Leica's just taken its vintage branding strategy to a new level with the D-Lux 6 "G-Star RAW" compact model, styled by the Dutch denim maker of that name. Design touches include a textured leather body and gun-metal grey accents, along with an embossed leather case and strap, all firsts for a compact Leica camera. The 10-megapixel model (based on the Panasonic LX7) arguably merits such a treatment, though, packing as it does a 24-90mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.4-2.3 fixed zoom, 1/1.7-inch sensor, manual control dials, full-HD video and of course, RAW still image capture. As with previous Leica designer models, the G-Star RAW version (which will hit dealers soon) bumps the standard D-Lux 6 ticket considerably to around $1,300. While that's arguably a steep price to pay for zero extra functionality, we can't say we blame them for trying -- considering how often its early styling has been appropriated. %Gallery-191879%
Leica D-Lux 6 and V-Lux 40 hands-on (video)
The Leica deluge continues here at Photokina in Cologne. We played around with two new point-and-shoots from the company, starting with the D-Lux 6, the larger and pricier of the pair. The camera features an all black body, with a red Leica logo on the front. It's got a 1.7-inch CMOS image sensor, a processor capable of ISO 80 to 12800 and adjustable aperture on the lens that can be changed with a twist. It's also got a large three-inch display on the rear and is capable of full HD video. The cheaper V-Lux 40 features a similar all-black build with red logo in a smaller form, with a 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor. On the rear of the camera, you'll find a three-inch touch display with the same bright resolution as the D-Lux 6. The camera, which bears a striking resemblance to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20, can also do 1080p video. The V-Lux is available now here in Europe for €590 and the D-Lux is coming soon, priced at €699. %Gallery-165714%
Leica unveils V-Lux 4 superzoom, D-Lux 6 compact to mirror their Panasonic counterparts
Leica has its more unique creations, but some of its more affordable cameras are usually upscale parallels to Panasonic models -- and that's undoubtedly true for the newly official (and previously leaked) V-Lux 4 and D-Lux 6, which respectively echo Panasonic's FZ200 and LX7 shooters. We can't object too much. That similarity gives the 12-megapixel V-Lux 4 superzoom (seen up top) a 25-600mm equivalent lens with a constant, wide f/2.8 aperture to snap bright images at long distances. The D-Lux 6, meanwhile, combines its large 1.7-inch, also 12-megapixel sensor with a 24-90mm, f/1.4-2.3 lens and that distinctive aperture control ring. What you're really getting over the Panasonic equivalents is a subtler, all-black Leica color scheme and a copy of Adobe Lightroom 4 to manage the imminent flood of photos. Photographers who don't mind knowing their luxury cameras' true roots can swing by Leica dealers in November to buy either design; we don't yet know prices, but it's safe to assume that the V-Lux 4 and D-Lux 6 will carry premiums over their more pedestrian equivalents.
