Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

The future is clearly compact digital cameras with large sensors, like the Panasonic GF1 [Specs], pictured above. But, the first generation of such digital cameras face some real technological challenges and many are wondering why. To find out, Dan Havlik, PDN’s Technology Specialist, talks to representatives from Sigma, Olympus and Leica to find out what is so tough about putting a large image sensor into a small camera body — and what they see for the future.

[ Read the full article at: PDNGearGuide ]

Leica X1

DPReview has published their hands-on preview of the Leica X1 [Specs], the first of its kind compact non-DSLR with a 12.2MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm), non-interchangeable LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/35 mm (equiv.) lens, RAW (DNG), Contrast Detect AF, Face Detection, PASM, ISO 100-3200, 2.7-in. (230K dots), built-in flash, hot shoe, and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as standard image editing software.

An informative Leica X1 YouTube video from B&H:

Related Links:
- Leica X1 QuickFact Sheet
- Leica X1 Press Release
- Leica X1 Digital Compact Camera With Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 ASPH. Lens [B&H Price]

September 9, 2009 will no doubt go into digital camera history as a defining date that took the evolution of digital cameras into the right — and common sense — path.

After submitting to years of the mega pixel war that sought to cram ever more millions of tiny pixels into tiny image sensors — with the engineers telling us that they got the data to prove they are giving us better pictures [ROTFL] — and years of mindless smile technology, blink technology, slimming technology, and a thousand and one other gimmicks that probably caused many a reviewer to fall into a software-induced comatose state, Leica has sounded the clarion loud and clear that it is bringing digital camera development back to its roots, back to its senses and back to what’s really important in being able to capture a moment in time that we can treasure for years.

Strip a digital camera of all superfluous baggage and we are left with four essential functions, features, elements, call it what you may:
the lens to bring the light in, the image sensor to receive the light, a focusing mechanism to focus the light fast and precisely, and an exposure function that combines shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and white balance for correct exposure of light and colors.

In its latest models, Leica has pared down its digital cameras to these four essential elements, and ensured we receive the best of all four. Just like it did years ago when it introduced the first 35mm camera and revolutionized photography, the new Leica M9 and Leica X1 have set digital cameras onto the right track again.

Though we have yet to see the images from the M9 and X1, the technological hurdle of putting a full-frame sensor in the X9 and an APS size sensor in a compact body like the X1 has been overcomed, and that in itself has to be applauded.

Concerned photographers can all breathe a sigh of collective relief that we will soon start seeing “real” digital cameras coming out this and the years to follow.

Like a lion that, with one roar, quiets the mindless chattering in its forest, Leica can sleep peacefully tonight in the sure knowledge that it is once again at the forefront of camera development.

Well done, Leica!

Addendum: the lion has roared and perhaps awokened some other beasts of the forest that might not appreciate the return of the lion king? I betcha Canon and Nikon will have their versions of the X1 soon. The (digital camera) world is right again.

Leica X1

Luminous Landscape has published their brief hands-on preview of the Leica X1 [Specs], the first of its kind compact non-DSLR with a 12.2MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm), non-interchangeable LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/35 mm (equiv.) lens, RAW (DNG), Contrast Detect AF, Face Detection, PASM, ISO 100-3200, 2.7-in. (230K dots), built-in flash, hot shoe, and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as standard image editing software.

[ Read the Leica X1 First Impressions at: Luminous Landscape ]

Leica X1

DPReview has published their brief hands-on preview of the Leica X1 [Specs], the first of its kind compact non-DSLR with a 12.2MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.8 mm), non-interchangeable LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/35 mm (equiv.) lens, RAW (DNG), Contrast Detect AF, Face Detection, PASM, ISO 100-3200, 2.7-in. (230K dots), built-in flash, hot shoe, and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as standard image editing software.

Leica M9

In a much anticipated webcast, Leica unveiled to the world the M9 and X1, both already leaked days before with photos circulating widely on the rumor sites.

The webcast started 15 minutes late, and Leica’s CEO spent the first 10 minutes expounding the legend behind Leica cameras. Was he preaching to the converted? Or, reaching out to non-Leica crowd? Anyway we had to sit through a boring history lesson we all know only too well. It was like he was trying to polish an image he knows has been tarnished, posing and answering the question, “Why should I buy a Leica?” Answer [and I paraphrase]: “You are passionate, non-conformist, capturing insightful moments as artists, photo journalists, etc. capturing it as you saw it, without distraction, without delay.” He forgot to add, “Rich.”

Leica M9 Back View

As expected, the Leica M9 has a Kodak full-frame sensor built specially for the M9. It still sports the traditional bottom cover that you have to screw out to access the battery and SD card, and a 2.5-in. LCD with a paltry 230K dots resolution [funny, don't hear any reviewers complain about this as they usually do on any other camera].

Leica X1

The Leica X1 attempts to cash in on photographers’ desire to have a walkaround digital camera with SLR image quality and performance in a compact pocketable (well, coat pocketable) size.

Leica X1 Back View

The Leica X1’s look is also retro, matched more to the company’s M Series lineage than to the sleek rebranded Panasonic’s Four Thirds models. In fact, the Leica X1 is not a rebranded 4/3 digital camera. It uses a 12MP APS size image sensor (and hence larger than 4/3 sensor), and the Leica 36mm (equiv.) f/2.8 lens is fixed. Is the Leica-Panasonic alliance done with? At around US $2,000, the Leica X1 is a strictly Leica-aficionado camera.

Leica X1 with optional Viewfinder and Grip

The Leica X1 is a very handsome, yet in a funny-looking sort of way camera: distintively Leica, just the right size — but with an attached viewfinder (slide into hotshoe), a cylindrical pop-up flash, and an optional grip that screws into the tripod mount (why design a camera with no grip and then attach a grip to it???), it does not look as distinguished.

Leica X1 with flash popped up

Also presented is the Leica S2, a medium-format DSLR with a sensor 56% larger than a full-frame 35mm sensor. It is weather- and water-sealed.

Then Seal [Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel] came on stage, and got a brand new S2 for his trouble.

So, Leica is the first company with a full-frame (Leica M9) and an APS (Leica X1) sensor in their non-DSLR cameras! Who would have thought? Leica once again leads the crowd and shows the camera community how to really — repeat after me, class, really — build a camera. Woohoo! Let the competition begins!

This news is exciting because the gauntlet has been thrown down and, at last, we are seeing what the future of digital cameras, especially of compact non-DSLR ones, is going to be. Will Nikon and Canon follow up with their own (affordable) APS size non-DSLR models? You betcha! The question that arises is (and it would have sooner or later anyway), Where does this leave the 4/3 sensor, which is smaller than the APS sensor?

Related Links:
- Leica X1 QuickFact Sheet
- Leica M9 Hands-on Preview @ DPReview
- Leica X1 Brief Hands-on Preview @ DPReview
- Leica X1 First Impressions @ Luminous Landscape