Leica C-LUX 2 7.2MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

I am *extremely* impressed by this little Leica.

This will be a rather short review since this camera model is already, like, 300 years old in dog years.

I was able 2 pick a new one up 4 less than [...] on the internets from someone who clearly didn't know what they were parting with. When I inquired into why the party was selling she only told me that her husband needed something newer.

I have owned & used dozens of cameras (Leica, Nikon, Canon, Rollie, Mamiya) in my career.

The C-LUX 2 is an amazing unit in terms of color authenticity, image quality, zoom quality, sensitivity, precision, workmanship, & most of all: usability & convenience.

I cannot stress how perfect the menu system is on this camera. It's perfect & the controls are precise, accurate, & delightful 2 use.

Convenience means that having this camera in your pocket you will never miss a great shot no matter where you are. Yes it really is that good. With controls from scene mode 2 nearly manual you have precise control of your pictures. There is no reason you cannot achieve a National Geo picture with this camera.

When the C-LUX 2 debuted at [.........] it was really a Euro-jet-setting no-show. Now that you can find this gem below [....] it is a must have.

5 stars based on current market conditions & availability in late 2008. Good luck finding a mint unit. If you are indefatigable you will find no better camera in the same class at any price.

I was hoping 2 find something different. Something better than the rest. Sometimes you just don't feel like the usual selection is good enough. I already had a Canon, everyone & their brother had a Nikon.
I was thinking about the slim line Casio, but who wants 2 buy a Casio?
So one late night / early morning I found this Leica. It looked different than the Canon/Nikon/Casio/Olympus & plus it had that little red badge on the front. I had 2 have it.
I found a local dealer on the Leica website & the next day I bought it 4 the same price as Amazon.
BTW, I knew there was a Panasonic version 4 half the price. I bought into the cosmetic of the Leica, the story, & that little red badge.
Supposedly this model has different firmware than the Panasonic which gives your JPEG files a color palette similar 2 classic Leica cameras.
It does not shoot in RAW.

Design

The look of this camera is gorgeous. It is very understated but an instant classic design. The build quality is also very good. It doesn't attract unwanted attention but once you put your hands on it you know it is a well built product.

Ease Of Use

The button layout is nice. It is simple & clean with access 2 shortcuts 4 flash, exposure, self timer, & review.
Choosing auto settings or manual mode is easy & the icons make sense.
I wish there were shortcuts 4 shutter speed & ISO settings. To access those you have 2 get into the menu which is time consuming & cumbersome. PS most cameras are like that though.

Ergonomics

It is so small & thin that it is kind of hard 2 hold steadily. Definitely use the wrist strap because it has slipped out of my hands a few times.

Picture Quality

This is very subjective. With good lighting I love the way my pictures turn out. Colors are very natural & not over saturated at all. It is very hard 2 get "tac sharp" shots with it but I don't think that is the point of a point & shoot.
With average or difficult lighting this point & shoot really struggles. I hate using high ISO settings because anything over 400 has a lot of noise of this camera. The flash blows out the picture if you are less then 6 feet away. It isn't powerful enough in a dim room if you are more then 8 feet away. There are no controls 2 dial down the flash. To get a good picture with or without flash you spend a lot of time changing exposure, ISO, & shutter speed. There is a +/- 2 exposure control but the shutter speed can only be set 2 a maximum of 1 second in manual mode. ISO can be set from 100-1250 but again anything over 400 has a lot of noise. Using "simple mode" usually jacks up the ISO settings in dark rooms or uses the flash which is useless most of the time. You can get a good shot in a dark room or outdoors but it will take some time 2 set it up.

Extra

Includes a copy of Photoshop Elements which is a fun program 2 add effects 2 your photos.

Overall

If you are thinking about this 4 outdoor day trips 2 the beach or mountains then this might be a good choice 4 you. If you want something 2 take 2 parties & nights out with your friends then you need 2 find something with better low light performance & a smarter auto mode. I don't regret buying it but it is not all that I hoped 4 considering Leica's reputation & premium price.

I got this camera new & within the first day of use an issue came up. The mechanism 2 cover/uncover the lens was faulty. When I turn the camera the lens come out but remains covered. Sometimes it just opens halfway. I don't know if other owners have experienced the same problems, but considering how delicate is this mechanism, I imagine is a problem with the model in general. The area around the lens scratches easily, so consider it a warning if you're going 2 put this camera in your pocket. I wouldn't blame you because it's the perfect pocket size, but it's also a pricey camera. I'm not crazy about picture quality but could be because I have a far superior digital SLR. There's some (barely noticeable) distortion in the images which I attribute 2 lens size.

I really like this camera. It is lightweight & fits easily in a pocket or purse. The menus are intuitive, & the quality of the pictures taken is much better than anything I've seen from point-'n'-shoot cameras in the past. I even plugged it into my 42" television & projected the pictures I took in that format. I was amazed the even when blowing the image up 2 that size I still did not get any distoration or pixel loss.

The one problem I have had is that 4 some reason it quit working about a month after I got it. And that is why it only got 4-stars. The lens all of a sudden refused 2 retract when I turned the camera off. And when I turned it on, the message I got was 2 turn it off & turn it back on again. That process cycled over & over. The camera is in the shop now.

A very nice camera; very easy 2 use intuitive interface - you'll rarely if ever need 2 use the handbook. Choose this or the D-LUX-3 over the cheaper look alikes.

CLUX-2 has more pixels (7.2M vs 6M) is smaller in all dimensions, & lighter, but even so I preferred the C-LUX 1 - the interface was just easier 2 drive, & had a nicer feel 2 it. (examples: flash mode cycled through options, whereas the C2 requires you 2 go down a 2 layer menu; the rotary mode select wheel on the C2 doesn't have the end stops the C1 had - so you now have 2 look 2 check the mode you've selected).

They should have just changed the sensor & kept everything else the same as the C-LUX1 - it was perfect.

If you want a stylish, slim compact camera but don't want 2 sacrifice picture quality then you'll love the ultra compact Leica C-LUX 2! Sporting a classic black metal body, it's a design classic - which can fit into even the smallest pocket. In fact it's the slimmest Leica digital camera ever made! That elegant exterior design - unmistakably Leica - is matched by an impressive array of precision optics & digital technology inside. If you want 2 take the style even further, then you can also compliment your LEICA C-LUX 2 with its own exclusive tan leather case & carry strap.The high-speed wide-angle 28 mm zoom lens enables you 2 take stunning, space-grabbing shots. The optical image stabilizer & intelligent exposure control prevent camera shake & the 7.2 megapixel CCD sensor enables you 2 take superlative prints you can enlarge - even up 2 poster size.The extra large 2.5" display, the image stabilization & short shutter delay of the Leica C-LUX 2 all combine 2 guarantee carefree photography with high-quality results. Fast, discreet snapshots captured on the fly, or picture perfect compositions at twilight or in other tricky conditions - all are possible with this elegant compact. Where the Vario-Elmarit zoom lens also retracts entirely into the camera body at the flick of the ?off? switch.So whether you're a partygoer, city stroller or nature lover, the Leica C-LUX 2 is always your dependable companion - any time, any place, you need never miss another photo opportunity.