Leica D-Lux 4 Camera & Sony NEX 5

I have been using it less and less these days due to the Sony NEX 5 camera. Now, this is a matter of convenience while I was moving to Arizona from Connecticut. I still love the little Leica D-Lux 4. Here's why: The Leica lens is better and sharper than the Sony lenses. I love how the Leica lens renders things sharp, as the Sony lenses can run a bit soft. The Leica lens is faster too, compared to my 18-55mm zoom on the Sony. (The D-Lux 5 has the option of a longer zoom range to 90mm too.) I do like the better sensor in the Sony though. I have to admit to that. One thing that Sony needs to do is allow for a square format. They added some fun filters in an update, but to me, the square format is a must in these small compacts. I love the variety of framing the Leica camera has and wish the X1 had it. (No, I don't own one. LOL!) The X1 has a nice APS-C sensor, like the Sony, but at 2K, it's ridiculous for what it doesn't have. Still, the lenses on the Leica cameras are so much nicer than the Sony NEX. A remedy for this would be for those Carl Zeiss lenses to come out! Hello, Sony? Wake-up! Where are the lenses?

Another option is to use different glass on the Sony. Yes, with an adapter, you can use Leica lenses, but in MF only. If Leica made a CL version, something cheaper than the M, but better than the X1, I'd be all over it. Maybe Nikon, Sony or Canon will do it. Leica had better watch out. Still some of the Leica gear, such as their lenses are just so lovely, but not many people have that kind of cash. Or you have the cash but can't justify that kind of purchase, like me. All I can see is Suze Orman screaming at me. LOL!

Okay, so I still adore my Leica D-Lux 4 for it's unique way of capturing shots. It's dynamic B&W setting is superb, and the shots taken up to ISO 400 and sometimes ISO 800 are still beautiful. Oh, and there's a flash attached. Sony's flash is detachable and I've NEVER used it due to its superb low light capabilities. Let's be fair though. The Leica S-Lux sensors are so small in comparison to the Sony. So, what do you want? Do you want a beautiful rendering with sharper lens and square format on the Leica? the Leica makes a great street photography tool. Or do you want the low light capabilities of the Sony when you need it? Well, I'm keeping both cameras. No one camera is perfect. Each has it's own pluses and minuses. What I would LOVE to see is that Leica would revise the X1 with all the cool stuff the D-Lux has, an OVF and then I'd get one. Meanwhile, the Leica and Sony stay with me. (Now, you can also get a Canon S95 and have an even more pocketable cameras, or even the Ricoh GRD III. Both are wonderful cameras. But, the build quality on the S95 is a bit cheaper. There are some lovely compacts out there. Go out and shoot.


You can keep track of my Ozzy project HERE on Flickr or HERE on ZENDOG Blog. I alos have the first 365 days of this project on 365Project Website.

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