Leica Digilux 1

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Leica Digilux 1
Type	Advanced P&S
Sensor	CCD
Maximum resolution	2,240 × 1,680 (4 million)
Lens type	Fixed, 7 mm – 21 mm
Viewfinder	Optical
Storage	Secure Digital Card and Multi Media Card

The Leica Digilux 1 was released in 2002, roughly the same time as the Canon G2 and the Nikon 2000. It is the second of Leica's digital offerings. Where the original Digilux was developed in partnership with Fuji Camera, the Digilux 1 was developed in partnership with Panasonic with whom Leica continues to partner in sharing technologies -- Leica shares their ability to design superb lenses, and Panasonic designs the camera electronics. According to Leica, this allows both companies to design cameras that creates a harmonious matching of lens to sensor to produce color and contrast to Leica standards.

Billed as the digital reportage camera, the Leica Digilux 1 shares almost everything with its Panasonic brother, the DCM-LC5. At the time, the Digilux 1 boasted the lowest shutter lag in comparison to other cameras in its class, in combination with its fast lens, made the camera suitable for photo reportage / photojournalistic applications. As for differences, the Digilux 1 is housed in a retro box that harkens back to the designs of Leica rangefinders, the LC5 is housed in a more modern casing, but retains identical controls. In appearance and in size, it is very similar to the Leica CM Zoom. Another unverified difference is believed to be based in image processing -- some believe that the Digilux 1 performs less post processing, resulting in colors and contrast that are more in line with the color and contrast expected from a Leica camera. The Panasonic DCM-LC5 performs post processing that increases contrast and saturation to create photos that are acceptable to the consumer market.