Camera Review: Leica D-Lux 8
Welcome to my second review. I recently rented a Leica D-Lux 8 and wanted to share my thoughts about this camera, its strengths and weaknesses, and who it is and isn’t for. But is a weekend enough to fully judge a camera? No, it is not, but as a previous user of the Leica D-Lux7, I will also share my thoughts on the D-Lux system. Before we jump into discussing the Leica D-Lux 8, here is a little bit of background.
My first entry into the Leica system began with the Leica D-Lux 7. Previously, I used Canon as my go-to camera system for years. Then I hit a creative rut with photography, and before I knew it, a few years had passed, and I hadn’t used my camera much at all. My cellphone became my primary camera; I now had kids, and the idea of carrying around the essentials young children needed when going out and a DSLR with multiple lenses was not appealing.
It wasn’t until my kids were no longer infants and I had an idea of a gift for my wife that involved printing some pictures I took with my cellphone that I realized my mistake. Cellphone pictures don’t look good when printed. I bought the newest cellphone each year, impressed by the advancements over the previous model. I thought I was future-proofing my images, but I was wrong.
It was at this point that I realized I wanted to start using a dedicated camera to document my kids’ lives. I didn’t want to feel the same disappointment I felt when printing a picture I loved, but I also didn’t want to return to carrying a large camera.
Enter the Leica D-Lux 7…
Shot on the Leica D-Lux 7
In the summer of 2022, traveling had started back up, and I was planning a family trip to Puerto Rico; this was the perfect time to use a dedicated camera again. I gathered all my Canon lenses and 6D and sold them to fund my new camera. I had always heard about Leica and its reputation for having excellent optics, so I was curious to try one. I knew I had found my new camera when I learned they had a small compact camera that produced fantastic images. I ordered one online, and off we went to Puerto Rico…
Here is where I will pause the history lesson and discuss the Leica D-Lux 8. As I discuss it, I will mention my experience with the Leica D-Lux 7 and how it compares to the 8.
2. Specs and Build Quality
Although I enjoy learning about camera specs, I don’t enjoy writing about them in depth. I recognize there are already a lot of reviewers out there who enjoy discussing every detail, and they are probably better suited to do so. Still, I will touch on enough that you will have a good idea about what the D-Lux system offers.
The Leica D-Lux 8 has a 17mp Four-Thirds sensor and a 24-75mm zoom lens with a fast variable aperture of f/1.7-2.8. It can do macro photography and comes with a small detachable flash.
The D-Lux 8 is not weather-sealed, but it is light and feels well-built. Its body is the same size as the D-Lux 7 but redesigned with the aesthetics of the Leica Q line. Some have called this the baby Q, but interestingly enough, when I first picked it up, I didn’t think of it as a baby Q. Instead, I had an immediate reaction that it reminded me of the Leica Digital CL, one of my favorite Leica cameras.
D-Lux size compared to a Leica SL3 and M10.
The camera is small and easily fits in most bags, but not into pockets. This was my first issue with the D-Lux 8; granted, I wasn’t expecting it to fit into my pants pockets, but I was hoping that it would fit into a pocket of my coat, which it did not. The lens sticks out enough to get caught in my coat pocket when I try to remove or put it back in. Now, depending on your usage, this may not be an issue. If you are looking for a camera to wear on a neck strap, then you will be fine; for me, that’s not what I wanted.
Focus
The lens of this camera produces sharp images and great colors, but the autofocus is another story. My experience with the D-Lux 8 autofocus was not very good; it was inconsistent in locking onto the proper object I wanted to capture. But it wasn’t so bad at other times; I could capture pictures of my dogs playing, and it did a good job, but when taking a landscape shot, it seemed only to want to focus on the closest object. So, I can attest that face detection worked well for me, but the other focus modes were not as effective. Thinking back to my time with the D-Lux 7, I don’t remember having this issue. I went back through my images from Puerto Rico and saw that most of the photos I took were fine. I don’t recall having to delete pictures because of focus issues. Maybe this was something with the rental, maybe not.
Sample shots with the Leica D-Lux 8
This is my issue with autofocus; I prefer to focus manually than rely on a camera to figure out what I want it to focus on. The nice thing is that the D-Lux line has a focus ring on the lens if you are inclined to focus manually. It’s not the best experience for me, but others may not have a problem with it. The focus ring moves almost too quickly; it felt like it could use a bit more resistance when turning it so that it would feel more precise. Again, I am probably being a bit picky here. But at the end of the day, I felt less joy shooting the camera. If I choose a compact camera over a bigger one, it is because I want it to feel fun to use, or I don’t want to think about photography as much and just take pictures.
Macro test shots with the D-Lux 8, hover over each image for notes.
One of the features I was excited about trying on the D-Lux 8 was its macro capabilities. I hadn’t used it much when I had the D-Lux 7, but I previously had a Leica Q2 and found it a fun feature.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t as impressed with the Macro on the D-Lux 8. At times, it felt nearly impossible to focus on objects. At its widest aperture, it did a better job, but even then, it was more frustrating than fun.
For Travel
As far as travel cameras go, it’s a good camera for many reasons. While traveling in Puerto Rico, it never weighed me down when worn around my neck; when I didn’t want a camera hanging from my neck, I used an 8-liter sling bag, leaving plenty of space for other items. So, as far as size goes, you can put this in the Pros category.
I never had an issue with the battery life on this camera, at least for my use. Since this was a new camera, I didn’t want to purchase several batteries immediately. While in Puerto Rico, I managed with a single battery. I made it a point to top it off as a precaution whenever possible, and I ended each day with a charge left in the battery. The nice thing about this camera is that the battery size is relatively small, so if you want to carry a couple of extra batteries, it will not take up much space.
The lens offers flexibility with its 24-75 focal length, and when fully extended, it doesn’t protrude enough to worry about bumping into anything while walking around. I tend to get caught up worrying about whether I need something with greater reach when I travel. I’ve learned that if something is too far away, the best option is to get closer. That’s the whole point of traveling, and if you can’t get closer, take a moment to appreciate what would have been your shot and keep it for yourself.
These shots were from roughly the same spot, providing an example of the reach the D-Lux can achieve.
Low Light Performance
Here is where I have difficulty providing advice on this camera. Returning to my trip to Puerto Rico and the D-Lux 7, after the first few days there, I learned that when the sunset, it was time to put the camera away. This could be chalked up to being new to the camera and new to street photography, but in low light, the focus hunted a lot and often missed, and the noise was too much.
Remembering this, I made it a point to test the D-Lux 8 in low light. This time, I had better luck. The camera still had focus issues, but I could capture some decent pictures at night that were not overly noisy and sharp. Today, I have more experience with street photography and a better understanding of how to set up a digital Leica for nighttime street shooting. So, my advice to you, if you decide to get this camera, is to take your time with it, learn to set limits on the ISO and shutter, and practice with manual focusing. However, you should take that advice and apply it to any camera.
Lowlight test shots with the D-Lux 8, hover over each image for notes.
Conclusion
So, what happened to the D-Lux 7, and will I buy a D-Lux 8? I’ll begin with when I returned home from Puerto Rico. I quickly packed up the camera and returned it to the company from which I purchased it. But hang on; I didn’t return it because it was a bad camera or had problems working correctly. I realized it reignited my passion for photography. I knew I wanted to pursue more street, travel, and portrait photography; this camera couldn’t be my only device. I discovered I loved owning a Leica; using the camera was enjoyable, and the menu system was user-friendly; I didn’t have to sift through a complicated menu to find what I needed. I wanted to explore Leica cameras and their lenses further. This camera led me to the Leica Q2…
So, will I buy a D-Lux 8, and do I recommend buying one? First question: no, I will pass on the D-Lux 8 for now. I have learned that compact cameras are not for me. If I use one, I want it to fit easily inside my pants pocket and be accurate with autofocus. If a camera can’t offer me that, then I would prefer to take my Leica M. As much as I would like a new camera to play with, I think I will put my money towards another lens instead.
Who should get this camera:
Someone who wants to dip their toes in the Leica ecosystem but doesn’t want to jump into it.
Anyone who wants something better than their phone for travel or daily life but doesn’t want a bigger camera.
Beginner or intermediate photographers that want a Leica.
Who should not get this camera:
Experienced photographers who pixel peep or want to shoot as quickly as they would with a full-sized zoom lens might not be too happy.
People who shoot lowlight often may be disappointed.
Leica Q series users may not enjoy this camera over a CL, SL, or M.
For Leica D-Lux 7 owners, I don’t recommend upgrading unless you specifically want the cleaner exterior design and in-camera charging.
In the end, I found that this camera wasn’t for me, but I don’t necessarily want to dissuade anyone from buying it. Yes, there are cheaper compact cameras out there, and there will always be that one person who says this is a re-bodied Panasonic LX-100, which may be, but there are differences between the two, and the price difference might be worth it to some. This camera can be a great companion for those with larger cameras. It has limitations, and it is up to the user to decide if they are a deal breaker.
Leica D-Lux 7 Sample Images
