Today, Leica has announced the Leica D-Lux 6 point and shoot digital camera, the successor to the D-Lux 5:
olms, Germany (September 17, 2012) – Leica Camera presents the latest model of the successful Leica D-Lux line of compact cameras. The Leica D-Lux 6 allows for the ultimate in creative flexibility, proving to be the ideal companion anytime inspiration arises. Enabling an imaging quality that sets entirely new standards in its class, the Leica D-Lux 6 unites an exceptionally fast lens with a newly developed 1.7″ CMOS image sensor that is particularly large for this compact camera format. Especially suitable for capturing vibrant art, architecture, music, fashion and design scenes, the D-Lux 6 offers a comprehensive range of features including automatic mode, manual setting options and new, Full HD video recording capability. Optional accessories, such as a new electronic viewfinder, provide even greater freedom in all areas of photography. Together with its intuitive handling concept, the classically elegant and stylish Leica D-Lux 6 proves to be a muse for compelling images.
The lens of the Leica D-Lux 6 is a newly designed and constructed Leica DC-Vario-Summilux f1.4-2.3/4.7-17.7 mm ASPH. Allowing for an expanded wide spectrum of photographic possibilities, the Leica D-Lux 6 offers a zoom range of 24 to 90 mm (35 mm equivalent). This extremely practical range of focal lengths makes the camera particularly versatile, ideal for everything from macro shots and wide-angle architectural and landscape photography to photojournalism and portraits. In contrast to the forerunner model, the lens is faster and therefore particularly suitable for available light photography, allowing for even greater intimacy between photographer and subject. Whether in adverse lighting conditions or for conscious manipulation of depth of focus, the Leica D-Lux 6 is the perfect camera for capturing truly distinctive images. The combination of this high-performance lens and the 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor (effective 10 MP) guarantees a high dynamic range and brilliant images that reveal the world.
The new image processor of the D-Lux 6 now enables photography with sensitivities from ISO 80 to ISO 12800. Images can be viewed directly in a choice of four formats, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1, in both capture and review mode on the new 3″ LCD monitor screen. The camera monitor, with a wide viewing angle and a resolution of 920,000 pixels, displays the images in superb quality before and after capture. This allows photographers to reliably and precisely assess images both during composition and after capture.
Classical elegance and the finest materials unite in the Leica D-Lux 6, characterized by clear lines and an intensely focused design. All exposed surfaces of the compact metal body are anodized in black. Only a few chromed elements set discreet counterpoints and refine the clarity of the formal vocabulary so typical for Leica. The D-Lux 6 also features an optimized handling concept with clearly laid out functions that makes the camera extremely simple to use.
The distance, shutter speed and exposure corrections can all be set with its ‘clickwheel’ control. The new option for setting the aperture on the lens barrel enables direct control and provides even more scope for creative composition. A second dial on the back of the camera offers manual focusing and the use of a built-in ND filter, for example to allow slower shutter speeds for intentional motion blur, despite intense light.
In addition to its program AE, an automatic exposure mode that gives users more control than full automatic mode, the D-Lux 6 also features a smart snapshot mode. With this option, the camera automatically selects the ISO sensitivity, face recognition, dynamic range adjustment and the most appropriate scene mode. The camera’s integrated optical image stabilizer prevents the effects of camera shake especially in failing light or insufficiently illuminated indoor settings, and when shooting hand-held. Thanks to its new, selectable, spirit level function, precise camera alignment is now easier than ever before.
The D-Lux 6 incorporates a new, Full HD video recording capability that can be started quickly and conveniently by pressing a button on the camera’s top deck. The camera records in AVCHD-Format with 1920 x 1080 pixels and 60 full frames per second for perfect rendition of even fast-moving subjects in outstanding detail. Video data can be saved in Internet-compatible MP4 format and can be uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices, for example, without any need for conversion. Crystal-clear sound recording is guaranteed by an integrated wind-noise filter that reduces undesirable noise.
A range of optional accessories further increases the versatility of the Leica D-Lux 6. The Leica EVF3 electronic viewfinder with 1.4 megapixel resolution offers particular advantages in extreme lighting situations. It can be mounted on the accessory shoe of the camera and supports Live View, a function that lets the photographer view the subject through the lens and assess the precise composition of the subject. The Leica CF 22 compact accessory flash unit provides additional options for flash exposure and fill-in flash. An accessory handgrip helps to ensure steady and safe handling of the camera. The range of accessories also features a choice of cases and bags. Camera owners can choose from a high-quality camera protector in finest leather, a classically elegant leather case and a system bag for the camera and its accessories.
The Leica D-Lux 6 will be available from Leica dealers beginning November 2012. The camera is supplied complete with the professional still picture and video processing software Adobe® Photoshop Lightroom® 4, an additional tool to create truly inspiring digital photography.
The Leica D-Lux 6 will be priced at $799.
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