Leica’s latest compact digital camera is official: the D-Lux 8. Arriving six years after the D-Lux 7, it features a fresh look and user interface for 2024, inspired by the Leica Q3, Leica’s more expensive full-frame compact camera and one of our favorite cameras of 2023.
I’ve read through the specs and press release for the D-Lux 8 and aside from the new design, which includes a textured finish, I’m struggling to find any meaningful updates in the latest version of Leica’s least expensive premium compact, and that’s disappointing.
That’s not to say the Lux 8 will be behind the times in 2024, as the Lux 7 was a very capable camera in 2018. We still have the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) 21MP sensor with a max photo size of 17MP and 4K video up to 30fps.
The built-in lens also remains unchanged: a handy 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 zoom for everyday photography.
New is that the D-Lux 8 can now shoot in raw DNG as well as JPEG – a first for the D-Lux line and what felt like a major omission from the Lux-7. DNG files are compatible with top photo editors and offer much more editing flexibility than JPEG.
And since the launch of the D-Lux 7, Leica has developed the Leica Fotos app. Based on my experience with the app on the Q3, it is one of the better photo apps out there. Combined with the Lux-8, it should make editing and sharing photos on the go even better and easier.
Other minor updates include a higher resolution to the LCD touchscreen – it’s now a bright 1.84-million-dot display, although it’s still a fixed screen rather than the tilting or flip-out screens that are incredibly useful for shooting from awkward angles.
It now also features USB-C charging capabilities, which is required for new cameras from 2024, in line with new EU regulations requiring a common charging port for all mobile devices, including cameras.
A Leica you can actually buy?
What’s arguably crucial with the D-Lux 8 is availability. The D-Lux 7 is no longer available, while the Q3 costs $5,995 / £5,300 / AU$9,790 and is almost always on backorder.
The new D-Lux 8, also known as the little Q3, is perhaps your best bet for a premium red-dot compact. It costs $1,595 / £1,450 (be patient for Australian pricing).
That might still sound like a lot of money, and it’s a significant margin on the D-Lux 7’s introductory price, but the best compact cameras of 2024 are all above $1,100 / £1,000. What’s more, the Lux-8 costs less than the Fujifilm X100VI.
I loved shooting with the Leica Q3, and it’s a smart move by Leica to incorporate its design cues into the smaller, cheaper D-Lux 8. I just wish there had been a few more meaningful improvements – the Lux 8 really could have been the go-to premium compact camera.
Still, we haven’t had the Lux-8 in our hands yet, and it could be a hit once we do get it reviewed. We’ll be sharing our in-depth review with more details and real-world testing in the coming weeks.