tonysg

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Leica cum Panasonic, Let us be practical!

May 9, 2009

Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: Leica Red Trademark
Cons: The Extra Price you pay for cosmetics.
Opinion:
The Leica is the "made-up" version of the Panasonic. It is a marriage of convenience that enabled both companies to survive the growingly competitive market of digi-cams. Leica's superb lenses and Panasonic's sensor that produces excellent results in all lighting conditions even at higher ISO settings. I disagree with some views thast Leica's firmware produces slightly better pictures because independent tests reveal that both variants (Leica D-Lux 4 and the Panasonic LX-3) are technically synonymous to each other (even the white balance settings). But in terms of physical design, the Panasonic already includes the finger grip in the body whereas you have to pay an extra US$120 for the Leica Grip Accessory. Because of this, I would rate Panasonic a "10" and the Leica a full point less. The only difference in owning a Leica is having the bragging rights and always being "in denial" that both cameras are one and the same. "But I can dream..can't I?".