186 of 186 people found below review helpful:
5.0 due to 5 stars A Real Photographer's Tool, January 31, 2007
This review is from: Leica V LUX 1 10.1MP Digicam with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Electronics)
The V lux does multiple issues right, along with the disadvantages are minor.
After spending 1 hour with the camera with my living room space this evening, We are very impressed with how well it really is designed for convenient use. The camera manual is over 100 pages long, I only had to reluctantly check it twice to gain access to all of the needed photographic controls. The lens zoom is controlled by just a smoothly rotating mechanical ring, much like an SLR contact. Autofocus, macro focus, and manual focus are switched with an easy to get to first turn on lens barrel. Ladies focus button right below that plunge to engage the autofocus even when in manual mode. This really is terrifically useful.
All on the common settings are quickly accessible from your function button, resulting in nil matter what you're doing with settings or picture review, partially pressing the shutter release returns instantly to shooting mode. Again, it is quite well planned as being a photographer's tool.
The image stabilization is very effective. We were rrn a position to hand hold shots in my living room space at 1/5 of the second with little evident trembling camera in your photograph. Of course it cannot overcome all shaking, without having to all photos were exempt from some blur from shaking, but I have been very pleased using the improvement.
The lens is remarkable. If you have ever used a 12x zoom when using SLR (like one of those Tamron or Sigma zooms) would likely not expect much from such type of lens design. Leica have lived roughly their reputation, however, in such a lens. An excellent sharp, contrasty images with little or no curvature of field (slight at the widest angle and gone quickly whenever you zoom in). You cannot find any evident vignetting.
The body on the camera is sturdy by having an actual, solid door with the connectors (not only one of flimsy fecal material rubber available on most cameras). The digital camera balances well, there is certainly help beneath the lens for support it is simple to hold steady. The lens barrel is metal, as well as the provided lens hood fits securely (when using the lens cap still useable although hood is in place).
The fact that the LCD screen swivels down in lieu of to the side is the one other wonderfully considered design that is uncommon. The LCD screen remains more focused entirely on your physique when it is folded down, encouraging a stable hold on the camera. In addition it without difficulty allows shooting through the waist than cameras with screens that fold out over along side it. This will likely allow it to be more easy to plan candid photos, like.
The two most typical negative comments within the V lux 1 are the fact that photos is usually noisy and lose detail at ISO above 200, knowning that there's no reason to pay more for those Leica version with the camera when compared to Panasonic version (FZ 50).
The images taken above ISO 200 are superior to I expected belonging to the reviews, additionally , the issue is really no different for other fitness equipment with small sensors (e.g. almost anything which is not a full sized SLR). The look sabilizer, however, allows getting a lower, less noisy ISO in a good many situations when you are likely to otherwise yield the ISO. Also, you need to remember that pr announcements reviews usually look at the full size appearance of photographs on screen. Your printed photographs may much better. When you should have noise free images at high ISO you'll go for a full SLR. The V lux is not aiming to completely overcome that niche use. To bring indoor shots at family dinners for printing at normal sizes (approximately 8x10, for example), the noise at higher ISO will not be a sizable concern for my part. When I used film cameras (a Leica M6 for a few years), I shot above 80% of my photographs on ISO 100 slide film. The V lux 1 provides excellent results at ISO 100 (essentially identical to the SLR by objective measurement), and a lot more control and versatility than my old M6 (a regular mechanical rangefinder camera with seriously good Leica lenses).
The other criticism stated in reviews could be that the Panasonic version is inexpensive for the similar camera. They certainly share the identical lens and body, but Leica has adjusted the style processing that provides more smooth jpeg images, use less aggressive noise reduction (to retain more detail at ISO above 200), and also match along with and contrast characteristics of traditional film shot with Leica cameras. I miss the hue palette of Leica lenses i accustomed to see inside my photographs with my Leica M6, and i am very glad which the V lux is tuned to offer that. With myself, that is a significant advantage because the rich and not cartoonish or unatural Leica color rendition is unique and beautiful. What's more, Leica includes an Facts that holds about 80 photographs at maximum resolution. I'll purchase a 2Gb card, but this may be a very useable backup.
All every one I'm extremely pleased. The V lux 1 is often a real photographer's tool proficient at producing results to be a full SLR in over 80% with the situations that we would encounter. Plus in one other 20% it still performs very well (along with any non SLR dslr camera) for modest sized prints and also for use on the web and in e mail. The tradeoffs, in my view, are minor.
Addendum: I just got the Lowepro Rezo TLZ 20 case plus the camera fits perfectly inside (I additionally wouldn't develop camera strap). The top part is a bit stiff, but otherwise the outcome possesses a soft interior, an unobtrusive storage flap for extra memory cards, and is to the most compact case there does exist for your camera (seems like comparable to the alot more expensive Leica case).
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