Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Performance
Leica recommends using the D-LUX 7 for portrait, street, landscape, architecture and macro photography. So I took the camera out for a spin from the busy streets of New Delhi to the calm evenings of Old Delhi. And here are a bunch of pictures created by the D-Lux 7.
The D-LUX 7 generally nails colours, contrast and saturation. Due to the use of a four-thirds sensor, pictures shot in low-light turned out to be decent but at ISO levels over 800, grains start to get visible. The other thing I noticed while taking shots during the evening was that the camera over-processes certain pictures to match the colour of the sky and in the process bumps up highlights resulting in reduced sharpness.
There are tons of controls in place to best utilize the camera like the popular monochrome mode, 4K photo, post focus among others. It can record videos at 4K at 30fps for 15 minutes straight which is a standard across compact cameras.
As far as battery life is concerned, the D-LUX 7 has a 1,025mAh mAh battery which can easily last for around 300 pictures and an hour of video recording. The battery gets charged in under 3 hours and the micro USB port for charging also supports power banks.
The D-LUX 7 has WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy which allow it to be remotely controlled by the Leica FOTOS app for Android and iOS phones. In addition, pictures shot from the camera can be accessed on the phone via FOTOS app almost seamlessly. The remote control mode is beneficial in situations where one has to take a long exposure.
Leica D-LUX 7 is, by all means, a great point and shoot camera. It performs best during daylight and the added macro focus mode allowed me to get closer to the subject in some situations. As I said, there’s a learning curve associated with the D-LUX 7 and while it takes some adjustment, it will make you a better photographer in the long run.
Experience
Using the Leica D-LUX 7 was kind of like a refresher course in photography for me. While the classic look defines the D-LUX 7, modern features like the 4K photo and video mode give it an edge over other point and shoot cameras.
Shooting with the Leica is fun most of the times. And its ability to go manual is a blessing that is rare for these kinds of cameras. However, there are certain limitations in place by Leica. While the jumps in ISO and shutter speeds are comparatively higher, the 1.7 aperture is just perfect to create pictures.
Verdict
Overall, the D-LUX 7 is a very different camera both in terms of looks and the customization it offers while taking a picture. It’s definitely not for everyone. For its asking price, the D-LUX 7 offers a compact form factor with a Four Thirds sensor that can create visually pleasing images. That can largely be said for every camera that’s available in the market under Rs 90,000. But amongst them, there’s just one Leica D-LUX 7. And it’s well worth the premium you pay.
So who is it for?
If you’re a just starting out and budget is not an issue, the D-LUX 7 will teach you more about photography than any other camera out there. Even if you want to move from a DSLR to a compact camera, the D-LUX 7 is a great option. And Instagrammers will love its colour profiles.
Image Credits: TechRadar India
- Read more: Panasonic Lumix LX100 II review
