Leica D-Lux 8 launches cheaper than Fujifilm X100VI despite the Red Dot luxury

After a handful of leaks and rumours regarding Leica's latest compact camera, the Leica D-Lux8 was finally announced, bringing with it a few handy updates over the D-Lux 7 of years past.

The diminutive D-Lux 8, which is more or less an update to the D-Lux 7 — which itself was a re-engineered Panasonic Lumix LX100 II — features the same 21 MP Four-Thirds sensor behind the Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9–34 f/1.7–2.8 ASPH. lens. Like previous versions of the D-Lux, and its Panasonic counterpart, the D-Lux 8 only uses up to around 85% of the 4/3 sensor, dropping the effective resolution to 17 MP.

Although Leica has been rather tight-lipped about the exact changes it's made to the D-Lux 8, only releasing a handful of images of the new camera and announcing an availability date, it appears that there are a handful of physical changes alongside retooled software. The biggest software change Leica mentions is the addition of the universal DNG RAW file format for shooting stills.

For starters, the D-Lux 8 features an updated back with repositioned buttons more closely resembling Leica's more premium camera offerings. Gone is the plethora of round buttons scattering the back, replaced by a d-pad and solitary play and menu buttons, with two shortcut buttons near the top of the back panel.

The top dials have also been altered, with the exposure compensation dial replaced by an unmarked dial — perhaps allowing more customisation — and the 4K and the "A" button removed in favour of a single power button on the top.

According to DPReview, the viewfinder and rear touchscreen were also updated, with the screen becoming higher resolution and the viewfinder moving from a sequential unit to a conventional OLED, which should make for a less jarring experience when shooting fast-moving subjects.

We'll know more when Leica officially launches the new compact camera on July 2 along with the full specifications and user guides, but it seems as though Leica has slimmed down the D-Lux 8, perhaps in an effort to further differentiate it from Panasonic's LX100 series. 

Curiously, due to Fujifilm's recent habit of increasing its prices, the Leica D-Lux 8, which immediately draws comparisons to the Fujifilm X100VI, is now cheaper than Fuji's APS-C counterpart. Granted, Fujifilm has the advantage of a larger sensor, but the Leica has the added versatility of a zoom lens and an even more compact form factor.

Another competitor to Leica's compact D-Lux 8 is the recently launched Panasonic Lumix S9, which is available to pre-order for as little as $1,499 for the body only or $1,799.99 with a chunky 20–60 mm S Series lens.

At the time of writing, the Fujifilm X100VI comes in at $1,599.99 on BestBuy — or it will when it's eventually in stock — while the Leica D-Lux 8 will launch at $1,598 including a nifty detachable flash.