Leica V-Lux 40 Travel Zoom

Leica has announced the premium Leica V-Lux 40, based on the Panasonic Lumix TZ30, it features a 20x optical zoom lens equivalent to 24-480mm, GPS, 1/2.33" CMOS image sensor and full HD video recording with stereo sound.

The Leica V-Lux 40 is so versatile that every step you take without it can mean one adventure less.

Its compact size makes it ideal for spontaneously capturing moments in time and its creative modes, with effects like miniature and retro, are a perfect invitation to get creative. Its enormous range of focal lengths (24 to 480 mm) offers the versatility you need for almost every situation. Its autofocus speed of 0.1 seconds guarantees fast focusing and it can shoot up to 60 frames per second in high-speed mode. In addition, its 3" LCD touch screen makes its handling even more simple and intuitive.

LEICA. MY LIFE

‘I never give up. That applies to photography, too. I try things out until I capture the mood of the moment I'm looking for. With my V-Lux 40, I'm always ready to capture that special moment.'

Iskander Abdulkarim is a development engineer at Leica Camera AG. He takes his Leica V-Lux 40 with him wherever he goes.

EXTENSIVE RANGE OF FOCAL LENGTHS

As with all Leica lenses, the V-Lux 40's new Leica DC Vario-Elmar 4.3-86 mm f/3.3-6.4 ASPH. (24-480 mm equivalent) is a true masterpiece. The enormous range of focal lengths of this 20× optical zoom lens, for both still and video capture, spans a 24 mm super-wide angle to a 480 mm super-telephoto. High-precision aspherical lenses in combination with its new, 1/2.33" CMOS image sensor guarantee outstanding results.

VIDEO IN FULL-HD QUALITY

The impressive Full-HD videos captured by the V-Lux 40 deliver a perfect rendition of the details of even the fastest-moving subjects. This is made possible by recording in AVCHD format with 1920 × 1080 pixels at 50 full frames per second. New: Videos can now also be saved in Internet-friendly MP4 format and can be uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices, for example, without the need for conversion. Outstanding audio quality is ensured, thanks to an integrated stereo microphone with built-in wind-noise filter.

INTEGRATED GPS FUNCTION

Its integrated GPS module also makes the V-Lux 40 the ideal camera for travelling. It not only records the location and time in the Exif data of each image file, but also displays any interesting sights to be seen in the surrounding area. The DVD included in the package contains maps of important cities and regions. These can be transferred to an SD card and uploaded to the camera to assist with directions in unfamiliar locations. Thumbnail images can also be stored within these maps.

Leica V-Lux 40 Specifications

Manufacturer	Leica
Lens
	Max Aperture	f/3.3 - f/6.4
	35mm equivalent	24mm - 480mm
	Optical Zoom	20x
Image Sensor
	CCD pixels	14.1Mp (Megapixels)
	Pixels (W)	4320
	Pixels (H)	3240
	Sensor Type	CMOS
	Sensor Size	1/2.33 inch
	Sensor Size (width)	No Data
	Sensor Size (height)	No Data
	Aspect Ratio	4:3 3:2 16:9 1:1
LCD Monitor
	LCD Monitor	3in
	Screen resolution	460,000 dots
	Touch Screen	Yes
Focusing
	Min Focus	3cm
	Focusing modes	Spot Face Detection AF Tracking
Exposure Control
	Shutter speeds shortest	1/2000sec
	Shutter speeds longest	15sec
	Exp modes	Program Aperture-Priority Shutter-Priority Manual
	Metering	Centre-weighted Multi Pattern Spot
	ISO sensitivity	100 - 6400
	White balance	Auto Outdoors/Daylight Cloudy Incandescent Shade
	Exposure Comp	+/-2
Shooting Options
	Continuous shooting	10fps
Video
	Movie mode	Yes
	Video Resolution	1920x1080 1280x720 720p 640x480 VGA 320x240 QVGA
	Video FPS	25
	Stereo Sound	Yes
	Optical Zoom with Video	Yes
Other Features
	Image Stabilisation	Yes
Interface
	HDMI	Yes
	USB	USB 2
	Wi-Fi	No Data
Storage
	Card Type	SD SDHC SDXC
	File Type
Power Source
	Battery Type	Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, Minimum: 895mAh)
	CIPA Rating	260
Box Contents
	Box Contents	Battery Pack, AC adaptor, USB Cable, Hand Strap, DVD (Map Included)
Dimensions
	Weight	184g
	Width	104.9mm
	Height	58.9mm
	Depth	28.2mm

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Leica X2 Premium Compact Camera

Leica has announced the new Leica X2, an update to the Leica X1, it features a new 16 megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor, improved auto focus, Leica Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens it boasts that it is the only digital camera made in Germany.

From Leica: The compact Leica X2 makes each moment something truly special - and captures them in brilliant picture quality.

This is guaranteed by its new image sensor and the truly classical focal length of its high-performance Leica lens. In terms of 35 mm photography, the lens of the Leica X2 has a focal length of 35 mm - the classic lens for photojournalism. For snapshots or painstakingly arranged compositions, its intuitive handling makes it easier than ever before to take true-to-life Leica pictures.

The Leica X2 is the perfect camera for anyone with a passion for photography in its purest form. This includes the photographer who works under the pseudonym Hoveeto, who has lived in Paris since the age of five. His greatest passion is capturing the cultural diversity of his home city, in which he finds new inspiration every day.

Outstanding image quality

The true greatness of the Leica X2 lies in its outstanding image quality. For its compact size, the camera features an impressively large, professional APS-C CMOS image sensor with a high resolution of more than 16 megapixels. In combination with its high-performance Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens, this guarantees exposures with extremely low image noise, a high dynamic range and accurate colour differentiation. The outcome: images of superior brilliance - down to even the tiniest details.

Made in Germany

Reminiscent of the traditional M-Design, the X2 is a camera to fall in love with - not only due to its captivating looks, but also its wonderful feel in your hands. It is so inviting to hold that you may never want to put it down!. The X2 is constructed, by hand, in the Leica factory from high-quality materials and passes through the most stringent quality assurance and precision testing at every stage of the production process. This makes the Leica X2 the one and only digital compact camera made in Germany.

Instantaneous reaction - the autofocus

The X2's new autofocus enables fast, extremely precise and virtually silent focusing. Ideal for situations where spontaneous reactions are essential.It adapts flexibly to the situation, for example with the choice of the number of AF focusing segments and face recognition. This allows photographers to completely concentrate on their subjects. The Leica X2 is much more than just a camera. It is an expression of the sheer joy of photography.

High-quality accessories

The Leica X2 can be flexibly adapted to each photographer's individual needs with a range of intelligently designed and versatile accessories especially for the camera. The dedicated accessory range currently includes two viewfinders for the hot shoe, a flash unit, a camera protector, a handgrip and a hand strap. In addition, a range of excellently finished cases and bags offer perfect protection for the camera.

New Leica M10 and more images leaked.

Best budget cameras for under £100

“Which cheap compact camera should I buy?” With an abundance of cameras available on the market, What Digital Camera compiles 2011's top 5 budget compact cameras for less than £100…


Top 5 budget compact cameras for under £100

There is a huge range of budget compact cameras on the market, with a number of the best compacts for less than £100 providing some great features and cracking pictures. For less than a hundred notes it's hard to complain. Of course there are many questions of which manufacturer, which modes will you want, even what body colours are available. With that in mind, What Digital Camera compiles the top 5 cheap compact cameras for under £100 for those on a budget...

First thing's first - megapixel count. It's a fallacy that more megapixels necessarily mean better pictures. As compacts have relatively small sensors, cramming more and more pixels onto this small space means each sensor node will struggle to pick up light accurately, resulting in poorer image quality.

The key is to match the sensor size to the right number of megapixels; somewhere close to 8-12MP is absolutely fine. Don't be put off by apparently ‘low' resolutions. One way to think about it is that the current HD TV holy grail ‘Full HD' 1080p is only as resolute as a 2.1MP image per frame (in 16:9 format) - your 10MP camera will shoot stills at around five times that.

1. Panasonic Lumix FS16
PRICE: £99

Panasonic's sub-£100 FS16 budget compact camera has a 14.1MP resolution and squeezes a 4x optical zoom lens into its small body.

This Lumix LS85 makes shooting easy thanks to Panasonic's ‘intelligent Auto' system that cleverly recognises the scene at hand and optimises the settings as required. If the camera detects movement, it will up the ISO sensitivity to allow for a faster shutter speed. If it detects mountainous shapes, it will opt for a small aperture, light permitting, to ensure the broadest depth of field landscape image. Face Detection will recognise a face in the scene to maintain best focus too - all you need to do is point and shoot for the best results. 


Add MEGA O.I.S - optical image stabilisation - to the feature list and your shaky hands will be compensated by the camera lens' ability to move internal elements to counter blur.

A 4x optical zoom lens lends itself to 28-112mm zoom, which is a reasonable standard for a variety of shooting situations. Playback on the 2.7in 230k-dot LCD screen means images view bright and sharply before you even offload them to your computer. The FS16 comes loaded with a rechargeable li-ion battery, so no extra cost buying replacements.

2. Sony Cyber-shot W520
PRICE: £85

Who wants to worry about buttons, menus and camera settings when you're trying to get a great picture? The Sony W520 takes the hassle out of shooting with its easy shooting mode: keeping true to a true ‘point and shoot' compact concept, with simplified on-screen instructions for its six available scene modes help explain all the different options.

Fun in-camera retouching functions mean you can crop and fix redeye without the need for any computer software too.



A large 2.7in, 230k-dot LCD screen with a wide viewing angle makes it easy to hold the camera at unusual angles whilst still being able to compose on screen.

The Cyber-shot W520 has a 25-125mm 5x optical zoom lens to snap a range of shots, further complimented by the Face Detection mode that's capable of picking out faces in the scene to maintain focus. 

Should it get dark, the Sony Cyber-shot W520 also comes with high sensitivity ISO 3200 for low light performance, though do expect some image quality deterioration. Sony's SteadyShot image stabilisation helps reduce blur when shooting handheld too, another compliment for low light performance. 


3. Nikon Coolpix S3100
PRICE: £95

For the low price, the sub-£100 Nikon S3100 has plenty of features and it looks the part too. Available in seven different colours there's a style to suit everyone's needs and the 5x optical zoom lens covers a decent 26-130mm equivalent.

There's plenty of tech squeezed into the body too, including a 14-megapixel sensor, 2.7in LCD screen, Vibration Reduction technology and a variety of shooting modes.

For this price range, the Nikon Coolpix S3100 is one of the better compacts out there, making it a real bargain for the budget compact camera shopper.

4. Canon PowerShot A1200
PRICE: £92.95

The Canon PowerShot A1200 features the company's DIGIC 4 processor, meaning image quality is of the highest order. 



A 3cm from lens macro function means you can shoot super-close to subject, plus Scene modes cover all the options to shoot, well, pretty much anything.

Add Smart Auto and Easy modes and a 720p movie mode and the Canon A1200 certainly comes kitted out with an array of features. Face Detection with autofocus also ensures faces are recognised in the frame and kept sharp too. Blur Reduction technology will detect movement in a scene and change the ISO sensitivity accordingly to a level that will keep subjects crisply frozen in motion. Very clever. 



The A1200's 4x optical zoom means a lens of 28-112mm equivalent, with a 2.7in LCD screen on the back. The A1200 uses 2xAA batteries, so best keep hold of a second set of rechargeables so you'll never miss the moment.

5. Fujifilm Finepix T200
PRICE: £96

Fujifilm's offering - the Finepix T200 - is a slim, 14-megapixel compact with a secret weapon: its 10x optical zoom ranges from 28-280mm (equiv.) and far outreaches the competition.

Available in the usual black or silver, jazzier red or blue versions are also available. At just 28.1mm thin, it's easy to slip the Fujifilm T200 into a pocket or purse to carry around anywhere too.



Scene Recognition AUTO means the T200 makes it easy to take photos - simply frame your shot and the camera will recognise the scene at hand from any of the available commonly used modes. Plus with Face Detection and further Scene modes to select from all subject types are covered.



The Fuji T200 has sensor-based image stabilisation to help limit blur when shooting, plus a high sensitivity of ISO 1600 (3200 in ‘S' mode) is great for low light performance without having to use flash. Plus, with the rechargeable li-ion battery that comes in the box all you have to do is charge up at home.

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The New Leica M10?

Leica Camera sent out invitations for an event in Berlin on May 10th, 2012:

"Leica celebrates the essentials of photography! We invite you to exclusively experience a whole range of product launches in a culturally and photographically unique atmosphere on 10-11 May 2012 in Berlin..."

I was expecting the M10 to be introduced at Photokina together with the new mirrorless camera system. Leica is very particular with their announcement dates - the M9 for example was announced on 09/09/09, so May 10th is a good indication for a new M10.


What to expect from Leica on May 10th, 2012


Those are all the possible scenarios for the Leia announcement on May 10th:

• New Leica M9-P Hermes edition camera in blue-grey colors (two different sets will be offered).
• Leica X2 (it seems that the Leica X1 is already discontinued).
• New Leica mirrorless system camera.
• Leica M digital camera with a black and white sensor (will probably not be called M10). This camera was initially scheduled for Photokina announcement.
• A "regular" Leica M10 camera update - unlikely for May 10th, but still a possibility.
• Leica S lenses: 30-90mm zoom and/or a new super wide angle 24mm prime.
• A new Summicron-M 50mm ASPH lens - it was supposed to be announced few months ago.

All Leica's new products for 2012 will be divided in two major announcements - one on May 10th and the rest at Photokina in September.


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Canon PowerShot S95 Review

There are not too many reasons to upgrade from a PowerShot S90 to the PowerShot S95 , as many of the differences are refinements rather than outright changes.

However, intuitive manual controls using the improved lens control ring in the later model will satisfy serious users and, in its own right, the S95 is a great performer.

There are few cameras that slip comfortably into pocket that will produce better images than this one.

Click here for more info.

Olympus XZ-1 Digital Camera review

The Olympus XZ-1 is launched at a similar price to its near rival, the Panasonic Lumix LX5, and slightly more than the street price of the other main contenders in this sector, the Canon S95 and Samsung EX1. While there are one or two features on those cameras that the XZ-1 lacks, the XZ-1 has its own aces, such as the wireless flash control.

Image quality is the deciding factor and here the points of difference are more difficult to discern, at least at the lower ISOs. Overall the XZ-1 is prices fairly for what it offers, compared to what else is available.

The Holy Grail for serious enthusiasts shopping for a compact is for a camera that achieves the highest possible image quality, with full control, in as small a package as is practical. The Olympus XZ-1 comes as close to achieving this as any camera yet launched.

It's certainly one of the smallest cameras of its type, the lens is superb, it's great fun to use and image quality at the lower ISOs is among the best, whether shooting in Raw or JPEG. Furthermore it offers the ability to add an electronic viewfinder, to use a flashgun (either on the hotshoe or wirelessly) and to shoot high speed bursts.

Only a couple of niggles thwart its bid for perfection, most notably its high ISO performance and so-so movie quality. The awkward rear dial and lack of any kind of hand grip are more minor issues. On balance though the XZ-1 is an excellent camera that we can heartily recommend to anyone looking for a camera of this type. 


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