Leica point and shoot

Steve, see references to the forthcoming Leica X1 two pages below on the 'Leica M9' thread.

Think about how you want to use the camera and what the perceived added value of the red dot is over the Panasonic equivalent.

I am very happy with my D-Lux 4, even if in the overall scheme of things the zoom is quite short.

I would counsel against the X1 unless you are very convinced that you could live with a fixed focal length. If you have prior experience of the rangefinder system then Graham's recommendation has merit, even if it comes in at more than twice the price of the DL-4. I feel that the majority would also suggest that you consider something like the Olympus Pen, where you can use a variety of lenses (not sure if it takes zooms though) and are not blindly jumping on a Leica bandwagon.

It might be worth trawling the photo forums and sites like flickr where you can actually search for images from a specific camera. These at least show what is capable from a camera, particularly if people have uploaded full size images. Small, web-based jpegs with high compression don't really allow for fair analysis.

Look at the Canon G10 before you buy.
I love it, YMMV.
David

The G10 takes great photos, but is a bit of a brick compared to the Leica.
I take more, and often better photos with my little D-lux than with my M8, because the D-lux is more often in my pocket.
If you want quality images from a pocket camera, the little Leica is a good bet. Mine has seen so much use it is getting worn out, and I will replace it with another.

Another vote for the D-Lux.

I seriously considered the G10, but the fast aperature and amazing wide-angle of the D-Lux4 is what got me dishing out the dosh.

Tend to use mine with the grip permanently attached, and have invested in a Lensmate filter tube. Means I can fit filters, and also the Panasonic DMW-L46E wide angle converter (gives 17mm equiv focal length).

I have so many cameras it is embarrassing!! Then again, I only have one digital camera - a d-lux 3. I had a Canon G5 (I think it was the 5!) and found that it's viewfinder was completely useless but the flip out screen was fab - the new G10 reverts to this feature. However, the G5 was far too big to slip into a pocket - something which the D Lux or Panasonic LX3 (almost identical cameras) excel at.

The RAW option works a treat on the D Lux albeit I must admit to never having tried to make a very large print - looks good on a 24" monitor!

The wide angle range of the zoom on the D-Lux/ LX3 appeals much more to me than the longer focal length extreme (and less wide angle) on the Canon.

What I have no idea about is how much if any Canon have moved the small sensor technology along with the G10 - they are claiming great things about low light performance - the bette noire of compacts to date.

I would like to think that my film Leica or Nikon gear would be used more often, but my reality has been that more often than not I either carry the D-Lux or don't bother at all. Not a very good commentary about myself, but a true observation!

I once had the little Ricoh GR1 compact camera with a fixed focal length - it was 28mm and I found it was very rarely the focal length of choice and that is why I would caution against spending a substantial amount on a fixed focal length camera with non-interchangeable lenses.

For a more concise commentary see Rockingdoc's above - says it all really!!

Peter