In summary
An attractive-looking, pocketable digicam with some useful features for family photographers and an excellent software bundle.The Leica C-Lux 1 has so much in common with Panasonic’s DMC-FX01 model that we suspect both cameras came from the same factory – readers may wish to check the review of the FX01 on this site to see how they compare. Both cameras have the same minimalist styling, with much of the rear panel covered by a 2.5-inch LCD, which doubles as a viewfinder. Both models are based on a 6-megapixel imager coupled to a Leica-branded 3.6x optical zoom lens (28-102mm equivalent in 35mm format) with integrated Mega O.I.S. image stabilisation. . . [more]
Full review
The Leica C-Lux 1 has so much in common with Panasonic’s DMC-FX01 model that we suspect both cameras came from the same factory – readers may wish to check the review of the FX01 on this site to see how they compare. Both cameras have the same minimalist styling, with much of the rear panel covered by a 2.5-inch LCD, which doubles as a viewfinder. Both models are based on a 6-megapixel imager coupled to a Leica-branded 3.6x optical zoom lens (28-102mm equivalent in 35mm format) with integrated Mega O.I.S. image stabilisation.
Basic specifications in the two cameras are identical, with shutter speeds ranging from 8 to 1/2000 seconds and 15-, 30- and 60-second exposures available in Starry Sky mode. ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to 400, with a high sensitivity mode extension to ISO 800/1600. Sixteen pre-set scene models are provided, including two novel ‘Baby’ modes that let users program a birth date in each, allowing subsequent snapshots to be tagged with the child’s current age. Nice for two-child families! Movie clips can be recorded with 848 x 480 pixels, VGA or QVGA resolution at 30 or 10fps with sound.
Focusing is automatic, with normal and macro settings, the former offering 5-point AF using the full image area, a slightly faster 3-point AF, and 1-point spot autofocusing. An AF assist lamp is provided. Four white balance presets are augmented by a custom mode and the built-in five mode flash reaches out to four metres at wide angle or two metres at telephoto. Exposure is also fully automatic with +/- 2EV compensation in 1/3 EV steps. A Power LCD function lets users make the display’s backlight 1.4 times brighter to improve viewing in bright sunlight.
Aside from the prestige of the Leica ‘red dot’ logo, the main visible difference between the Leica and Panasonic cameras is the oval finger grip on the front of the FX01, which is absent from the C-Lux 1. However, the Leica camera comes with a higher-capacity memory card (64MB vs 16MB) and a more comprehensive and attractive software package, which includes Adobe’s Photoshop Elements 4.0. Leica claims firmware adjustments within camera should give it a competitive edge over its Panasonic ‘cousin’ and offers a two-year warranty instead of one year. But the FX-01’s RRP is $150 lower.
Shots taken with the test camera in bright conditions showed the dynamic range compression typical of compact digicams, although colours were nicely recorded and image sharpness was very good. Close-ups were detailed with rich colours, but digital zoom shots were a little soft.
Imatest confirmed most of our subjective assessments, showing colour accuracy to be very good and saturation to be modest, while contrast was rather high. Image resolution varied through the zoom range, with best results mid-way between tele and wide. A slight loss of resolution was detected towards the edges of the frame. Some lateral chromatic aberration was also found but probably neither fault would deter most potential buyers. Wide-angle shots showed slight barrel distortion. No purple fringing was detected.
White balance performance was excellent, except for shots taken under incandescent lighting with the auto mode. The flash could only illuminate an average-sized room at ISO 400 or higher sensitivities. Long exposures could only be achieved through the Starry Sky scene mode, where the only shutter speeds available were 15, 30 and 60 seconds. No other adjustments were accessible and noise reduction was applied by default. In the normal shooting mode, the slowest selectable shutter speed setting is one second. This produced visible image noise at ISO 400, the top sensitivity setting.
We measured an average capture lag of 0.8 seconds, which reduced to 0.2 seconds with pre-focusing. The high-speed burst mode recorded six shots at 0.4 second intervals, while the standard burst mode captured six shots at half-second intervals. It took approximately two seconds to write a 6-megapixel image to a fast SD card and shot-to-shot intervals were around two seconds.
Footnote: An optional adapter can connect the C-Lux 1 to the eyepiece of a Leica Televid spotting scope, turning it into a ‘digiscope’ with an extended zoom range for bird and wildlife photographers. Image stabilisation is particularly useful in such situations. Shots are composed on the camera’s LCD monitor. [29]
Specifications
Image sensor: 5.76 x 4.29mm CCD with 6.37 million photosites (6.0 megapixels effective)
Lens: Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4.6-16.8mm f2.8-5.6 (28-102mm in 35mm format)
Zoom ratio: 3.6x optical, up to 4x digital
Dimensions (wxhxd): 94.1 x 51.1 x 24.2mm
Weight: 132g (without battery and card)
Image formats: Stills ““ JPEG; Movies ““ QuickTime Motion JPEG (848 x 480 pixels, VGA or QVGA at 30 or 10 fps with sound)
Shutter speed range: 8-1/2000 second (15, 30, 60 sec. in Starry Sky mode)
Focus system/range: 5/3/1 area AF; range 50cm to infinity; macro 5cm to infinity.
Exposure metering/control: Multi-field metering; Program AE plus 16 scene presets and 4 toning effects.
White balance: Auto, daylight, cloudy, halogen plus 2 manual settings and fine adjustment from -1500 K to +1500 K in 150 K steps.
Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto, red-eye reduction, fill-in, flash off; range 0.3-4.0m
ISO range: Auto, ISO 80, 100, 200, 400 (ISO 800-1600 in High- Sensitivity mode)
Sequence shooting: Up to 6 high-resolution JPEG images at 3 or 2 fps.
Storage Media: 64 MB SD card; holds
Viewfinder: n.a.
LCD monitor: 2.5-inch polycrystalline TFT colour LCD with 207,000 pixels.
Power supply: 3.7 V rechargeable lithium ion battery (320 pictures)
Retailers
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Ted’s Cameras
1800 186 895
Big range of cameras and photographic products with stores in most states and online.
Rating
RRP: $799
Rating (out of 10):
- Build: 8.5
- Ease of use: 8.5
- Image quality: 8
- OVERALL: 8