Solms, Germany (September 21, 2010) – Leica Camera is proud to present a new addition to its digital compact camera portfolio, the V-LUX 2, debuting at Photokina on September 21. The V-LUX 2 combines a high-performance lens and outstanding image quality with a sleek and compact body. Equipped with a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 4.5 - 108 mm f/2.8 - 5.2 ASPH. lens, a 3'' rotating LCD display and a wide variety of video functions in 1080i-AVCHD Full HD, the V-LUX 2 is ideal for almost any photographic situation.

"Its versatile lens and compact form make the LEICA V-LUX 2 the ideal camera for the ambitious travel and wildlife photographer," says Peter Kruschewski, Product Manager for Digital Compact Cameras at Leica Camera AG. "In certain shooting situations the use of camera systems with lens changes is often required. Thanks to the V-LUX 2's large range of focal lengths, this compact camera has the ability to capture almost all moments of life." Kruschewski continues, "The V-LUX 2 is an interesting alternative to comparable SLR systems. Compact and lighter, it significantly reduces the weight and volume of a traveler's photographic equipment."

The V-LUX 2's LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 4.5 - 108 mm f/2.8 - 5.2 ASPH. 24-fold super-zoom lens offers an enormous range of focal lengths equivalent to 25–600 mm in 35-mm format. Whether shooting expansive landscapes, finely detailed macro studies at short distances or distant objects with a super-telephoto setting, the LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 4.5 - 108 mm f/2.8 - 5.2 ASPH. lens captures them all in breathtaking quality. A newly developed 14.1 MP CMOS image sensor tuned to perfection enhances the high-performance LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 4.5 - 108 mm f/2.8 - 5.2 ASPH. zoom. In combination with the camera's electronics and firmware, the sensor guarantees brilliant, high-contrast images with natural color rendition and superb sharpness.

The V-LUX 2's 3" LCD display has a resolution of 406,000 pixels and can be twisted and turned in almost any direction, making it easy for photographers to compose pictures from even the most unusual angles. When shooting stills or videos from over their heads or close to the ground, photographers using the V-LUX 2 are always in full control.

In addition to offering an integrated stereo microphone with an electronic wind noise filter that guarantees a crystal-clear soundtrack integrating, the entire 24-fold zoom range is available during video recording. The LEICA V-LUX 2 is the first Leica digital compact to feature video capture in 1080i-AVCHD Full HD.

One of the world's fastest consecutive-shooting cameras, the LEICA V-LUX 2 features high-speed burst shooting capability: bursts of 11 frames per second at the full resolution of 14.1 MP, or 60 frames per second with a resolution of 2.8 MP.

Characterized by a compact design and extremely simple handling, the V-LUX 2's integrated handgrip and light weight allows photographers to shoot one-handed. The camera controls are evidently positioned, assuring a simple and pleasant use. For instance, video recording can be started quickly and easily at the touch of a button on the top deck of the camera.

The LEICA V-LUX 2 is supplied complete with a comprehensive software package. The image processing software, Adobe® Photoshop® Elements, provides users with an extremely versatile, all-inclusive solution that offers viewing, organization, administration and a wide range of processing options for still images and video recordings. The bundle also includes the high-quality software Adobe® Premiere® Elements especially designed for video processing. This easy-to-use software package offers optimum features for processing videos recorded by the V-LUX 2 in AVCHD-Format and also enables the creation of professional audio and video effects.
The LEICA V-LUX 2 will be available for $849.00 starting October 2010.