Leica V-LUX 1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 134 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the responsiveness and color. The design and performance are also mentioned favorably, but some have doubts about the features and value for money.

usability, performance, design, color, responsiveness

value for money, features

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Leica V-LUX 1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 84/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 134 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (50% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (28% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (13% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (5% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Value for money
  Show positive (22%)Show negative (32%)(Show all)
Usability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
Performance
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (47%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
Responsiveness
  Show positive (19%)Show negative (15%)(Show all)
Color
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
Low-light
  Show positive (17%)Show negative (2%)(Show all)
Image quality
  Show positive (13%)None yet(Show all)
Zoom
  Show positive (34%)Show negative (2%)(Show all)
Battery
  Show positive (33%)None yet(Show all)
More features

Showing 103 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 103 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (35)

Expert review by:

Leica V-Lux 1

 

Its electronic viewfinder (EVF), like most EVFs, is bit coarse to look at, but again, is roughly equivalent with its competitors'. In continuous-shooting mode, it doesn't go blank as some EVFs do between shots. Instead, it shows you the last image...

Fast, 12x optical, image-stabilized zoom lens; raw capture; sensitivity to as high as ISO 1,600.

Big camera body; auto white balance is bad with tungsten lighting; expensive.

Leica's version of Panasonic's DMC-FZ50 has slightly better JPEG compression, slightly slower performance, and a much higher price tag.

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Expert review by:

Leica V-Lux 1

 

Leica introduced the Leica V-Lux 1 at Photokina in Cologne. The Leica V-Lux 1 is a digital compact camera which combines high-performance optics and outstanding picture quality in a compact camera body. The camera offers 10 million pixels and a Leica...

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Consumer review by:

"Excellent day camera"

 

very good first camera

Fantastic daytime camera, decent zoom, excellent pictures. Great len

Low level night pictures are dark.

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Consumer review by:

Leica V-LUX 1

 

I am the lucky few who are the last to own this wonderful camera, and although I knew it would be a great machine, I couldn't have expected that much. 1) The zoom/focus rings are great, have nice feel and precision. Once I forgot the focus mode on AF...

1) I had some issues with the charger, but the retailer took care of it, and at that point I realized the importance of accepting regular batteries(like my Canon SX10) ; 2) The swivel screen is fragile, use with care, and avoid using if you can to save...

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Consumer review by:

Leica V-LUX 1

 

I have used the V-Lux 1 for one year now - and I enjoy it very much. The reasons why so are not purely related to its sharpness or image noise level (which are quite good, but, to be honest, DSLRs are simply better), or to its great...

It is not really a problem, but adding a sliding switch allowing to enter the display mode without having to turn the program dial might have been a good idea

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Consumer review by:

Leica V-LUX 1

 

Sharp and more sharp. Yes there may better "other stuff" (features) on other cameras, including the so-called "Pro Models" that Nikon, Cannon etc. profess to have that makes them grrreat. However, there is still one feature that supersedes all the...

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Consumer review by:

"Image not sharp- maybe problem with my camera"

 

I recently inherited a Leica V-Lux 1 and have shot 30 pictures or so with it set in the 35mm aspect ratio at 8.5 mega pixles, and was not impressed with the results. When looking at the image at 200 percent there is an over-all fuzziness in the...

Easy to use, zoom is great, great flexability

Image not as good as less expensive point and shoot 5.1 mega pixle

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Consumer review by:

"The best camera I have had in 30 yesars."

 

Over time I have had Nikons,Canons and some others. They did not get in. I did look a Leica, but the price use too high. After a long wait I got thr Leica V-Lux 1. It is the real thing. The *** copies still are not the real thing. This is a great camera.

Perfect, easy to use. A great German machine.

I looked close and can't find a thing wrong with it.

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Consumer review by:

"Durable and extremly well crafted 10 mega pixel digital camera with a massive zoom range"

 

Let's cut straight to the chase with the Leica V-Lux 1: the quality of the workmanship and the sophisticated design of the camera are unquestionable. So too are the speed of the lens and its considerable 35-420mm focal range. But, at the end of the...

durable and extremly well crafted 10 mega pixel digital camera with a massive zoom range

Pricey, and over-use of noise reduction software in-camera softens images

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Consumer review by:

Leica V-LUX 1

 

Very nice build and feel with logical control arrangement in most cases. The zoom range gives the "potential" for a one-size-fits-all, do-everything traveller's camera. When the V-Lux 1 hits the exposure correctly, the photos are superb with very...

I wanted to love this camera and certainly think it is a reasonable value since I bought it used for less than $450, but there are many disappointments as mentioned by a few others ; 1. Exposures, even when zeroing in with spot metering, are wildly...

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Product Specifications

The V-Lux line makes photography in the compact class more professional than ever before. The all-purpose digital camera for universal use combines the best Leica image quality with the convenience of an intelligent all-in-one solution. Equipped with the 12x optical zoom and the optical image stabilization, there is hardly any photographic situation you won't be able to master with your V-Lux 1.

Audio Input

Type:Microphone

Battery

Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Capacity:710mAh
Technology:Lithium ion

Camera Flash

Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Type:Pop-up flash

Digital Camera

Supported Flash Memory:MultiMediaCard / SD Memory Card / SDHC Memory Card

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:5.6in
Height:3.3in
Weight:1.5lbs
Width:5.6in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:2in
Diagonal Size (metric):5.1cm
Display Form Factor:Rotating
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Baby1 / Baby2 / Candle / Fireworks / Food / High sensitivity / Landscape / Night portrait / Night scene / Panning / Party/indoor / Portrait mode / Snow / Soft skin / Sports mode / Starry sky

Flash Memory

Form Factor:SD Memory Card
Storage Capacity:512MB

General

Designed For (MG):Camera
Product Type:Camera battery
Subcategory (MG):Specific batteries

Header

Country Kits:Japan
Manufacturer:Leica
Model:1/BP-DC5
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Leica/Leica V-LUX

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/2.8-3.7
Max Focal Length:88.8mm
Min Focal Length:7.4mm
Optical Zoom:12
Type:Zoom lens

Optical Sensor

Optical Sensor Size:1/1.8"
Optical Sensor Size (metric):14.1 mm ( 1/1.8 ) / 14.1 mm ( 1/1.8" )
Optical Sensor Type:CCD
Sensor Resolution:10Megapixel

Optical System

Built-in Optical Image Stabilizer: Yes
Image Stabilizer:Optical

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Digital Video Format:QuickTime
Digital Zoom:4
ISO (Max):3200
Light Sensitivity:ISO 100 / ISO 1600 / ISO 200 / ISO 3200 / ISO 400 / ISO 800 / ISO auto
Shooting Modes:Frame movie mode
Special Effects:Black & White / Cool / Sepia / Warm
Still Image Format:JPEG / RAW
Type:Digital camera

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Color Support:Color
Viewfinder Type:Electronic
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