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Leica's D-LUX digital camera. Courtesy of Leica, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Leica announces 3mpix, 3x zoom digicam
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(Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 20:04 EDT)

Leica Camera AG has announced a new digital camera with a very distinctive visual style, the Leica D-Lux, for the European market.

The new Leica D-LUX, uncovered by our friends at the German website digitalkamera.de, features a 3.34 megapixel CCD imager, maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels and a 3x optical zoom lens. At first glance, the camera body looks remarkably slim, but this is actually somewhat of an optical illusion - compared, for example to the Pentax Optio S the Leica D-LUX is fully 50% wider and thicker, but almost the exact same height. The camera will be available in Europe this May at a price of €900, roughly equivalent to US$972 / CAD$1408 / £619 / ¥117,000 (ignoring exchange rate fluctuations, taxes and duties). Full specifications courtesy of Leica follow:

Leica D-LUX
Leica's D-LUX digital camera. Courtesy of Leica, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
Picture type / format Digital camera, 1/2.5" CCD sensor with 3.34 million pixels (3.2 million effective).
Resolution Choice of 2,048 x 1,536, 1,600 x 1,200, 1,280 x 960, 640 x 480 pixels, or 320 x 240 for video recordings.
Compression rates of photographic data Either standard or low data compression.
Data recording Still images to JPEG and DPOF standard, still images with soundtrack to JPEG standard and 640 x 480 pixels to QuickTime Motion JPEG standard, moving images (video recordings) to QuickTime Motion JPEG standard.
Storage media SD Memory Card (64 MB SD card supplied with camera) and MultiMedia Card
Film speed setting Either automatic or manual to ISO 50/18°, 100/21°, 200/24° or 400/27°
White balance Either automatic or presets for daylight, cloud, halogen lighting or manual setting.
Lens LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT f/2,8–4,9/5,8–17,4 mm ASPH. with 7 elements in 6 groups, 3 aspherical surfaces (corresponds to 35 – 105 mm for 35 mm photography). Focal length adjusted by zoom rocker switch conveniently located behind the shutter release.
Digital zoom Max. 3 x, together with the lens gives a total zoom range of 9 x.
Focusing range Automatic focusing, max. range from 10 or 30 cm (for wide-angle or telephoto setting, respectively) to infinity.
Smallest object field 10 cm at wide-angle setting 80 x 110 mm, 30 cm at telephoto setting 80 x 110 mm.
Autofocus system Passive TTL contrast comparison AF, choice of normal or spot measurement field (coupled to exposure metering).
Exposure
Exposure modes:
Fully automatic (AUTO), automatic program with free choice of menu-controlled functions (P), 4 subject-related automatic programs for close-up, portraits, landscapes and twilight shots, automatic program for reddish or blueish color rendering or for black-and-white, fully automatic for video recordings.
Exposure measurement:
Depending on exposure mode, multi-field, center-weighted or spot measurement (coupled to AF).
Storage of measurement data:
The focus and exposure measurement is stored by pressing the shutter release to the pressure point.
Exposure correction:
±2EV in 1/3 EV steps.

Automatic exposure bracketing mode:
3 exposures with 1/3 , 2/3 , or 1 EV graduations.

Shutter speed range Central mechanical shutter,1 to 1/2000 s, for video recordings 1/30 to 1/1000 s.
Series exposures Either 2 p/s or 4 p/s, max. 8 exposures (with standard data compression), or 5 exposures (low data compression).
Flash

Flash modes:
Choice of Automatic Flash On (no display), Automatic Flash and Pre-Flash On, Manual Flash On, Manual Flash and Pre-Flash On in connection with longer exposure times, Manual Flash Off.

Range of integrated flash unit:
(at ISO 100/21°) 0.1 – 3.5 m at 5.8 mm, or 0.3 – 2.0 m at 17.4 mm, guide no. 9.8.

Flash recharging time of integrated flash unit:
approx. 2 s with fresh battery.

Viewfinder
Real image viewfinder with crosshairs for autofocus metering field or spot AF and exposure metering field, markings for close-range exposures.
Viewfinder magnification:
0.36 x at wide-angle or 1.0 at telephoto setting.
Monitor 1.5" color TFT LCD with 114,000 pixels, max. 0.01 % defect pixels.
Self timer Countdown either 2 or 10 s, flashing LED on the front of the camera and corresponding symbol on monitor.
Camera On/Off Main switch on camera top. Lens protection cap opens/closes, lens moves to ready or idle position, optional automatic switch-off of camera electronics after about 2/5/10 minutes (standby mode), reactivation by tapping the shutter release or by switching the camera off and back on.
Connections 5-pin mini USB socket 2.0 Fullspeed for fast data transmission to the computer, EIAC Type 3 DC-IN socket for DC power supply, A/V output with 2.5 mm mini jack for image and sound transmission to TV/audio system/computer.
Compatibility EPSON Print Image Matching System (PIM 2.5), Digital Print Order Format (DPOF), MacOS 9.x – MacOS X, Windows 98/ME/2000/XP.
Operating voltage 3.6/4.7 V (battery voltage/mains operation)
Power supply Rechargeable lithium ion battery, 3.6 V, 680 mAh
Power consumption
2.1 W (taking exposures with monitor switched on),
1.6 W (monitor switched off),
1.8 W (playback with monitor switched on).
Mains / charger unit input AC 100 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz, adapts automatically.
Body Outer body of anodized aluminum in Leica design. Side attachment for carrying strap.
Tripod thread A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4")
Dimensions (W x H x D) and Weight
121 x 52 x 34 mm
approx. 180 g/200 g (without/with battery)
More Photos
Leica's D-LUX digital camera. Courtesy of Leica, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
Leica's D-LUX digital camera. Courtesy of Leica, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
Leica's D-LUX digital camera. Courtesy of Leica, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins.
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