Leica C-LUX 2 Review

The Leica C-LUX 2 digital camera offers style with functionality. This 7.38-megapixel gadget is part of the Leica C-LUX line with a fast image processor and reliable storage capacity. This compact camera is comparably more user-friendly and faster than several other models in the lineup. Controls are well-positioned for easy handling, operation is easy-to-use and its overall design is elegant using only the best materials for fashionable and useful shooting anytime.

The Leica C-LUX 2 has a zoom range of 28 up to 100 mm in 35 mm format. It has state-of-the-art LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8-5.6/4.6-16.5 mm ASPH. lens which provides you with the best images. This gadget has a focal length of 28 mm allowing you wide-angle and telephoto options. You can take great group and indoor shots because of the wide angle capability. You can have a minimum resolution of 640 x 480 up to a maximum of 3072 x 2304. The CCD sensor measures 1/2.5 inches. There’s no focal length multiplier but focus ranges about 50 cm while the macro focus ranges 5 cm.

The Leica C-LUX 2 digital camera has 3.6x zoom lens made of seven lens components in six groups. Five of these components are aspherical in shape. The optics is specifically fitted for the CCD sensor which allows you to have great color, detail and contrast. As for flash modes, you can choose automatic, manual on and off, slow and anti red-eye. Taking pictures in rather dark places are no problem for this camera.

The Leica C-LUX 2 has an integrated optical stabilizer or O.I.S. featuring options of exposure or exposure with camera display. This feature prevents shaking under any circumstance. This digital camera also has the “Intelligent ISO” control which provides you clear shots by optimizing speed and sensitivity when taking moving objects. ISO values are automatically or manually set at 100 up to 3200. Aperture values range from f2.8 up to f8 in width and f5.6 up to f16 in telephoto. Shutter speeds range from 8 up to 1/2000 second.

The 2.5-inch LCD display is clear and brilliant providing up to 207,000 pixels. The display has a wide-angle option which makes it easy to view in different angles or is possibly viewed by several people at the same time. It can also be set at Power LCD mode which gives off very bright light and visibility.

The Leica C-LUX 2 has a very stylish metal body which comes in either black or silver. It measures 94.1 x 51.1 x 24.2 mm and weighs 131 grams. It provides both elegant style and handy compact size with well-placed controls using only high-quality materials. This digital camera also has a 64 MB SD memory card, a battery charger, AV cable, USB cable, AC cable and user CD featuring media players and picture viewer software. The whole package also includes the protective casing and straps with accessory pockets. The C-LUX 2 runs on two Li-ion batteries.

You can link the Leica C-LUX 2 to the Leica Digital Adapter to activate digiscoping which is like taking photos through a spotting scope. Attaching the compact camera to the eyepiece of a Leica Televid scope turns it into one powerful zooming gadget. Digital photos can be taken with his special added feature allowing you to take clear and vivid shots in bad lighting and unfair weather. As for image settings, have a variety of White Balance options in auto or manual.

You can also record videos with the C-LUX 2 having a minimum video resolution of 320 x 240 up to a maximum of 848 x 480 at 30 frames per second. It also has a voice recording feature too. There is no optical or electronic viewfinder however. Photos are stored in JPEG format and videos in AVI format. The voice recording allows you to put commentaries on recorded movies via the playback menu. You can do some photo and video editing and capture still images and slideshows.

Pros: The Leica lens was excellent as well as the powerful zoom advantages which allows you to take very clear and vivid images in motion. The design is also very attractive and easy to handle. Shutter speed and ISO sensitivity are pluses as well as the optical stabilizer and auto exposure mode. The LCD screen is wide at 2.5 inches and has multi-angle viewing. You can also record voice and videos at higher resolutions compared to other digital cameras in the same class and edit photos via the understandable menu options and interface.

Cons: The controls are okay but the thumb rest seems unstable which makes small squeaking sounds. There is no viewfinder too. The shutter speed tends to slow down at times as well as focusing periods during auto-focus.

Overall: The Leica C-LUX 2 digital camera provides you with great photos and videos. You have the power to make the necessary adjustments to take clear and vivid images as well as the right materials such as the powerful lens and zoom for any spontaneous shot. The C-LUX 2 seems to be a great improvement and is a top contender in the whole lineup. With a $499 price tag, it may seem a bit too much for the average point-and-shooter but the features compensate.

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