Luminous Landscape has published their hands-on preview of the Leica S2 [QuickPrice Check], a “compact” medium format (36 x 24mm) digital SLR camera with 37.5MP resolution (30X45mm CCD), ISO 100-1600, continuous shooting 1.5fps, weather-sealed construction, and optional vertical grip.

Luminous Landscape has published their hands-on preview of the Leica M9 [Specs], a full-frame (36 x 24mm) digital rangefinder camera with 18MP resolution, no anti-alias filter, a new thicker UV/IR filter in front of the sensor, ISO 160-2500, continuous shooting 2fps, 2.5-in. (230K dots) LCD, RAW.

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 ]

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

Luminous Landscape has posted their first impressions of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550, with 14.2MP resolution (on a 23.4 x 15.6 mm APS CMOS Sensor), in-camera Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Anti-Dust Technology, large tiltable 3.0-in. (921K dots) LCD, and a Quick AF Live View that uses lighting fast Phase-Detection auto focus and a Manual Focus Check Live View.

[ Read the Sony A550 Preview at: Luminous Landscape ]

[ Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 [QuickPrice Check] ]

Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 with optional battery grip

Luminous Landscape has posted their preview of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 [QuickPrice Check], a full-frame DSLR with 24.6MP resolution, in-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Dust Shake Technology, 3.0-in. LCD (921K dots), Continuous Shooting 3fps. There’s no Live View and no video capability but "What’s Not to Like?" about the Sony A850.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

Luminous Landscape has posted their review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 [Specs] which “trumps the [Canon] 5DMKII in terms of shooting practicality” with its HD Movie 1920×1080 @ 24fps (or 1280×720 @ 60fps), stereo sound, 12.1MP resolution (on a 17.3 x 13.0 mm Live MOS Sensor), 3.0-in. high resolution (460,000 dots) Free-angle LCD, fast Contrast-Detect AF, Live View, high resolution (480,000 dots for a 1,440,000 dots equivalent) EVF at 60fps refresh, eye sensor, Dust Reduction, Scene Modes and full exposure flexibility. The GH1 comes with the new 10x optical zoom LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) lens.

There are now a couple of Leica M to Micro 4/3 Lens Adaptors available on the market that allow you to attach your precious Leica M lenses to the Panasonic G1. Luminous Landscape examines one of them and asks, “Is The Panasonic Lumix G1 the New Digital Leica?“

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Luminous Landscape has posted their review of the Canon 5D Mark II [Specs], a DSLR with 21.1MP resolution using a full-frame (24 x 36mm) CMOS sensor, ISO in the range of 100-6400 (expandable to ISO L:50, H1:12800 and H2:25600) with "shots up to 1600 [that] are remarkably ‘clean’." The 5D MK II is the first DSLR with full-frame HD video capture at 1920×1080 pixels resolution for up to 4GB per clip, an extra large 3.0-in. high resolution LCD (920,000 dots), Integrated Cleaning System, Live View for stills and video, 3.9fps continuous shooting, 9 AF points plus 6 AF assist points, a new 98% coverage optical viewfinder, and an improved weather-resistant body [though Luminous Landscape contests it].