Leica D-Lux 8 about to launch: Leica confirms OLED viewfinder and other upgrades, videos showcase new design
The Leica D-Lux 8 was announced in mid-May, but Leica had only published an overview of the new features at the time. Now, the spec sheet is finally available, confirming more details about some of the improvements just in time for the launch
The Leica D-Lux 8 will be officially launched on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, for a recommended retail price of $1,595. Although this price makes the camera slightly cheaper than the Fujifilm X100 VI, it is also almost as expensive as the Panasonic Lumix S9, which is equipped with a full-frame sensor.
The D-Lux 8 is based on the operating concept of the Leica Q3, as the smaller compact camera also has a dedicated shutter speed dial, an aperture and focus ring on the lens, programmable buttons and a clear menu. As the data sheet shows, a new CMOS sensor is installed instead of a MOS sensor, although its specifications are practically identical to the previous model.
Leica still only uses a 17 MP section of the 21.7 MP sensor in FourThirds format, and combines this with a zoom lens with a 35 mm equivalent focal length of 24 to 75 millimeters and a maximum aperture of f/1.7 - f/2.8, depending on the focal length.
In detail, however, there have been a number of upgrades. First and foremost, Leica has replaced the 0.38-inch LCD viewfinder with 2.76 million pixels with an OLED viewfinder with 2.36 million pixels: the resolution is slightly lower, but the OLED panel provides more contrast and more accurate colors. The 3-inch touchscreen in 3:2 format has a resolution of 1.84 million pixels, which is around 50% higher.
The SD card reader now also writes to faster UHS-II memory cards, while the micro USB 2.0 port of the D-Lux 7 has been replaced by a USB-C 3.1 port on the D-Lux 8. The WiFi module has been upgraded to WiFi 5. At a weight of 397 grams, including the battery, the D-Lux 8 is slightly lighter than its predecessor. More details about the Leica D-Lux 8 can be found in the review videos embedded below.
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