PWNov 22, 2022

Leica D-LUX 7 Comparison Review

The Leica D-LUX 7 is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in November 2018 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 16.8 megapixel.

Is the Leica D-LUX 7 a good camera? The D-LUX 7 has a Camera Elo of 2564. This rating puts the D-LUX 7 among the top 10 percent of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (Four Thirds cameras), the D-LUX 7 ranks among the top 20 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 5-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications

Leica D-LUX 7

Fixed lens compact camera

24-75mm f/1.7-2.8

16.8 MP, Four Thirds Sensor

4K/30p Video

ISO 200 – 25 600

Electronic viewfinder (2764k dots)

3.0 LCD, 1240k dots

Fixed touchscreen

11 shutter flaps per second

300 shots per battery charge

115 x 66 x 65 mm, 392 g

Read on to find out more about the camera’s size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers,
and how it compares to other digital cameras.

Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Leica D-LUX 7 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Leica D-LUX 7 alongside
a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular
camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Leica D-LUX 7 was launched in the US market at a price of $1,195. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available.
Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting
and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be
found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Leica D-LUX 7 features a Four Thirds sensor and has a format factor
(sometimes also referred to as “crop factor”) of 2.2. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Leica D-LUX 7 among the medium-sized sensor cameras
that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range (“DXO Landscape”), color depth (“DXO Portrait”), and low-light sensitivity (“DXO Sports”). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

 
 
Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall

1.

 

Leica D-LUX 7 Four Thirds 16.8 4736 35524K/30p22.912.81002722.

 

Fujifilm X100F APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.913.21704813.

 

Fujifilm X100T APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.612.81483784.

 

Fujifilm X100S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.312.51329755.

 

Leica V-LUX 5 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.4584656.

 

Leica C-LUX 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.3481647.

 

Leica D-LUX Typ 109 Four Thirds 12.7 4112 30884K/30p22.412.1607678.

 

Leica V-LUX Typ 114 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p21.611.7127609.

 

Panasonic LX100 II Four Thirds 16.8 4736 35524K/30p22.812.79797210.

 

Panasonic ZS70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.61063611.

 

Sony RX100 VI 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.347864

Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The D-LUX 7 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the D-LUX 7 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D-LUX 7 has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2764k dots.
The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100%
and a magnification of 0.70x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Leica D-LUX 7 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

 
 
Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab

1.

 

Leica D-LUX 72764 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
2.

 

Fujifilm X100F2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
3.

 

Fujifilm X100T2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.

 

Fujifilm X100S2360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.

 

Leica V-LUX 52360 n3.0 / 1240 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
6.

 

Leica C-LUX2330 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
7.

 

Leica D-LUX Typ 1092764 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
8.

 

Leica V-LUX Typ 1142359 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
9.

 

Panasonic LX100 II2764 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
10.

 

Panasonic ZS701166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.

 

Sony RX100 VI2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y

Notes: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

It is worthwhile pointing out that the D-LUX 7
has a touchscreen. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example,
when trying to adjust the focus point.

Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica D-LUX 7 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

 
 
Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support

1.

 

Leica D-LUX 7Ystereo / mono–micro2.0Y-Y
2.

 

Fujifilm X100FYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y–
3.

 

Fujifilm X100TYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y–
4.

 

Fujifilm X100SYstereo / mono–micro2.0—
5.

 

Leica V-LUX 5Ystereo / mono–micro2.0Y-Y
6.

 

Leica C-LUX-stereo / mono–micro2.0Y–
7.

 

Leica D-LUX Typ 109Ystereo / mono–micro2.0YY-
8.

 

Leica V-LUX Typ 114Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
9.

 

Panasonic LX100 IIYstereo / mono–micro2.0Y-Y
10.

 

Panasonic ZS70-stereo / mono–micro2.0Y–
11.

 

Sony RX100 VI-stereo / mono–micro2.0YYY

It is notable that the D-LUX 7 offers wifi support.
Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The D-LUX 7 has a zoom lens built in
(10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 75mm.
The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens
camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the D-LUX 7 can be found in the
free online Leica D-LUX 7 Manual or on the
Leica support site.

Expert reviews

While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the D-LUX 7 handle or perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera’s market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Leica D-LUX 7 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers
concerning some particular features of the D-LUX 7.

What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Leica D-LUX 7?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Leica D-LUX 7?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Leica D-LUX 7?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Leica D-LUX 7?

No, the Leica D-LUX 7 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Leica D-LUX 7?

The D-LUX 7 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Leica D-LUX 7 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Leica D-LUX 7 for flash photography?

The D-LUX 7’s flash sync speed is 1/4000 sec.

Does the Leica D-LUX 7 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Leica D-LUX 7 use?

The camera gets its power from the BP-DC15 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make your choice using the following search menu. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~

Specifications Summary

Camera Model

Leica D-LUX 7

Camera Type

Fixed lens compact camera

Camera Lens

24-75mm f/1.7-2.8

Launch Date

November 2018

Launch Price

USD 1 195

Sensor Specs

Sensor Technology

CMOS

Sensor Format

Four Thirds Sensor

Sensor Size

15.7 x 11.8 mm

Sensor Area

185 mm2

Sensor Diagonal

19.6 mm

Crop Factor

2.2x

Sensor Resolution

16.8 Megapixels

Image Resolution

4 736 x 3 552 pixels

Pixel Pitch

3.32 μm

Pixel Density

9.08 MP/cm2

Moiré control

no AA filter

Movie Capability

4K/30p Video

ISO Setting

200 – 25 600 ISO

ISO Boost

100 – 25 600 ISO

Screen Specs

Viewfinder Type

Electronic viewfinder

Viewfinder Field of View

100%

Viewfinder Magnification

0.70x

Viewfinder Resolution

2764k dots

Top-Level Screen

no Top Display

LCD Framing

Live View

LCD Size

3.0 inch

LCD Resolution

1240k dots

LCD Attachment

Fixed screen

Touch Input

Touchscreen

Shooting Specs

Focus System

Contrast-detect AF

Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking

Maximum Shutter Speed

1/4000s

Continuous Shooting

11 shutter flaps/s

Silent ShootingElectronic ShutterTime Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in

Fill Flash

no On-Board Flash

Storage Medium

SDXC cards

Single or Dual Card Slots

Single card slot

UHS card support

UHS-I

Connectivity Specs

External Flash

Hotshoe

USB Connector

USB 2.0

HDMI Port

micro HDMI

Wifi Support

Wifi built-in

Bluetooth Support

Bluetooth built-in

Body Specs

Battery Type

BP-DC15 power pack

Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge

In-Camera Charging

USB charging

Body Dimensions

115 x 66 x 65 mm
(4.5 x 2.6 x 2.6 in)

Camera Weight

392 g (13.8 oz)

Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

You are here: 

Home

 » 

CAM-parator

 » 

Leica D-LUX 7 Review