d-lux
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Leica continues tradition of re-branding Panasonic cams with V-Lux, D-Lux
We've seen plenty of interesting rebrands in past years. Leica's perhaps the most prolific manufacturer to redesign housings and jack up a camera's price, but Hasselblad is also guilty of trying to pass off a competitor's cam as its own, with the $10,000 Solar. Leica's own recreations are hardly as egregious -- select photographers certainly don't mind paying a few hundred dollars more for what's arguably a better-looking camera from a more premium brand, making this year's V-Lux and D-Lux a reasonable purchase for some. That first model is based on the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000, while the D-Lux is a deluxe version of the LX100, which squeezes a powerful Micro Four Thirds sensor into a surprisingly compact body.
Leica slaps D-Lux 5 badge on Panasonic LX5, hitches up the price (update)
What has a 1/1.63-inch CCD sensor capable of 10.1 megapixel stills, a 3.75x DC Vario-Summicron lens, and 720p AVCHD Lite video? The Panasonic LX5? Why yes, it does, and so does this carbon copy that Leica just unveiled, the D-Lux 5. Much as with the identikit LX3 and D-Lux 4 before them, the new 5 models share pretty much everything apart from brand name, accessories bundled in the box, and that all-important price tag. If you opt for the red circular logo above, you'll have to dish up £630 ($983), whereas the LX5 -- which was criticized for being pricey at launch -- can now be had for around £355 ($554). Feel free to peruse our gallery of D-Lux 5 shots below while pondering the "value" on offer here. Update: We just got word that Leica's already priced the D-Lux 5 for a stateside release -- find it for the slightly-more-reasonable-but-not-quite price of $799 when it ships this October. %Gallery-102818%
Leica quietly showcases D-Lux 5, redesigned X1 and rebranded DMC-FZ100
We're tucked away in Leica's high-brow design preview event here in Köln, and while it appears that the vast majority of those in attendance showed just to boast about their suit, we're strictly here for the gear. That being said, let us be the first to formally introduce you to the now-official D-Lux 5 rangefinder. Or, sort of official D-Lux 5. Unlike the M9 'Titanium' -- which the company spent a solid two hours boasting about -- the D-Lux 5 (a rebranded / tweaked LX5?) has been given nothing but a passing glance of affirmation, though we're anticipating a more formal release with specifications and the like tomorrow. Leica aficionados have likely been hearing whispers of this beaut for the past dozen months, but at long last, the unicorn has apparently transformed into a Gypsy Vanner. Though, still a mysterious one. In case that's not exactly your cup of million-dollar tea, it appears that Panasonic's DMC-FZ100 -- deemed the world's best megazoom by critics back in August -- has been reborn as a Leica, though the shell doesn't appear to have changed at all. Of course, we've seen Leica pull this rebranding trick before, but we're sure the so-called V-Lux 2M is far superior in some way that we've yet to be informed about. Rounding out the round of mystique is the gently refashioned X1, which was seen sporting a far more luxurious casing compared to the original. Feel free to drown yourself in the images below, and keep it locked right here for more as we hear it. %Gallery-102818% %Gallery-102820% %Gallery-102821%
