Digilux delights

John Wade celebrates Leica’s first partnership with Panasonic and asks if their cameras are still usable today

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Leica entered the consumer digital market in 1998 with the 1.5MP Digilux. It was followed by the Digilux Zoom in 1999 which added the 35mm equivalent of a 38-114mm zoom lens while retaining the 1.5MP sensor, then the Digilux 4.3 in 2000 with a 2.4MP sensor. These unusually vertically styled cameras were made by Fujifilm and badged by Leica who added internal digital and exterior cosmetic changes.

The Digilux story really begins, however, with the launch of the Digilux 1, marking the start of Leica’s association with Panasonic which still continues today. It was a marriage made in heaven, combining the highly respected digital expertise of Panasonic with input from Leica on exterior design and internal firmware, plus lenses built by Panasonic but designed by Leica. Compared to the more contrasty images from Japanese lenses, Leica optics have always been reputed to produce a special kind of picture quality beloved by fans of the marque – and so diehard Leica photographers were carried into the digital age. The Digilux 1 was swiftly followed by the Digilux 2 and Digilux 3, each with a different and distinctive design. Meanwhile, Panasonic made its own versions of all three which sold at lower prices, while still retaining Leica-designed lenses.

Digilux 1
LAUNCHED: 2002
PRICE AT LAUNCH: £600
GUIDE PRICE NOW: £150-250
PANASONIC EQUIVALENT: DMC-LC5, £80-120