Leica D-Lux 8

Leica's latest advanced zoom compact resurrects a much-loved line, but can it challenge the Fujifilm X100VI? Andy Westlake finds out

- Andy Westlake

The Leica D-Lux 8 is an advanced zoom compact camera that's designed for enthusiast shooters. It's a development of the D-Lux 7 from 2018, which itself was a re-styled version of the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II.

The D-Lux 8 has the same lens, sensor, and core specifications as its predecessor. But it gains a radically reworked control layout based on the Leica Q3, along with a much better viewfinder.

It's no secret that the ever-increasing quality of smartphone cameras has decimated the market for compact cameras.

But there's one standout exception, with Fujifilm's X100VI being so popular that it's still back-ordered six months after its launch. With the D-Lux 8, Leica is clearly hoping to grab a piece of the action with a camera that shares many of the same attractions, but has a zoom lens.

Like the X100VI, the D-Lux 8 boasts traditional photographer-friendly controls for the main exposure settings, plus a corner-mounted viewfinder in a flat-bodied rangefinder-style design. But in contrast, it employs a 24-75mm equivalent zoom lens with a bright f/1.7-2.8 aperture. This is paired with a Four Thirds sensor with a clever multi-aspect ratio design. It's even a bit less expensive, at £1,450 vs £1,600. There's plenty to like here, but how does it compete against its popular rival?

Features

In terms of specifications and features, the D-Lux 8 is pretty much identical to the D-Lux 7, and therefore the Lumix LX100 II.

As before, it's built around a 20MP Four Thirds sensor, but employs it in a unique way.

It never uses the entire sensor area to create images, but instead crops in to offer a range of aspect ratios with the same diagonal angle of view.