Leica entered the consumer digital market in 1998 with the 1.5MP Digilux. It was followed by the Digilux Zoom in 1999 which added the 35mm equivalent of a 38-114mm zoom lens while retaining the 1.5MP sensor, then the Digilux 4.3 in 2000 with a 2.4MP sensor. These unusually vertically styled cameras were made by Fujifilm and badged by Leica who added internal digital and exterior cosmetic changes.
The Digilux story really begins, however, with the launch of the Digilux 1, marking the start of Leica’s association with Panasonic which still continues today. It was a marriage made in heaven, combining the highly respected digital expertise of Panasonic with input from Leica on exterior design and internal firmware, plus lenses built by Panasonic but designed by Leica. Compared to the more contrasty images from Japanese lenses, Leica optics have always been reputed to produce a special kind of picture quality beloved by fans of the marque – and so diehard Leica photographers were carried into the digital age. The Digilux 1 was swiftly followed by the Digilux 2 and Digilux 3, each with a different and distinctive design. Meanwhile, Panasonic made its own versions of all three which sold at lower prices, while still retaining Leica-designed lenses.
Digilux 1
LAUNCHED: 2002
PRICE AT LAUNCH: £600
GUIDE PRICE NOW: £150-250
PANASONIC EQUIVALENT: DMC-LC5, £80-120
Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av Amateur Photographer.
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Denne historien er fra February 28, 2023-utgaven av Amateur Photographer.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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140 years of change
AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton
Preserving history in platinum
A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision
Life in the past lane
What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time
Choice cuts
How many trillions of photographs must have been taken in the past 140 years? Amy Davies asked some of our regular contributors for their favourites....a difficult task, to say the least
How good a camera can you buy for just £140?
Three members of the AP team see what they can find for the money
Round Five: The Best of the Rest
The APOY judges choose their favourite images that didn’t make the top ten of our Landscapes category
Amateur Photographer of the Year
Here are the top ten images uploaded to Photocrowd from Round Five, Landscapes, with comments by the AP team and our guest judge
FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks
Cameras that hit the headlines between then and now. John Wade is your guide
140 years of Amateur Photographer
As AP celebrates its 140th birthday next month, Nigel Atherton looks back at its glorious past
John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien
Say the word 'Wall's' to those of a certain age and two things spring to mind: sausages and ice cream.
