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| Category: | Compact Cameras |
| Product: | Leica D-LUX 6 |
| Price: | £599.00 |
| Rating: |  
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Leica D-Lux 6 Review - We test the premium compact camera from Leica, the D-Lux 6 with a bright f/1.4 lens, manual controls and RAW shooting.
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Jargon Buster: OffHandling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Leica D-Lux 6 is Leica's version of the Panasonic Lumix LX7, and as such the specifications and features are identical, however there are some subtle design changes that make the D-Lux 6 a more disceet compact camera, as well as a different package in the box, including Lightroom 4 as well as a longer 3 year warranty. Due to the similarities, this review is based on the LX7 review.
The D-Lux 6 is Leica's update to the serious compact camera, the Leica D-Lux 5, and updates the camera with a new ultra bright f/1.4 3.8x Leica optical zoom lens with O.I.S, manual aperture ring around the lens, ND filter, RAW shooting and manual control. It is available in black for £599.00.
Leica D-Lux 6 Features
The D-Lux 6 has a 1/1.7 inch, 10.1 megapixel MOS sensor designed to produce high resolution images with stunning clarity as well as a wide dynamic range. To keep noise to a minimum there is Intelligent Noise Reduction and Multi-process Noise Reduction systems. The lens is a Leica DC Vario-Summilix f/1.4, which has 3.8x optical zoom, a 35mm equivalent of 24-90mm. To minimise ghosting and flare the lens has a Nano Surface Coating.The D-Lux 6 has full manual controls as well as a range of scene modes and intelligent auto. To control the light there is an aperture ring, internal ND filter, focus lever and rear dial. The Creative Control mode offers 16 artistic effects, there is also the option to record using Time Lapse Shot.
Videos are recorded in full 1080p HD in 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) in AVCHD Progressive format. There is stereo sound and you can also use the optical zoom during recording. The D-Lux 6 lets you record high-speed videos at 120 fps.
Key Features
- 10.1 megapixel MOS sensor
- 3.8x optical zoom, f/1.4-2.3 lens (35mm equiv: 24-90mm)
- Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS)
- 3.0 inch TFT LCD screen (920K dots)
- Full manual controls - aperture ring, internal ND filter and focus lever
- Full 1080p HD video recording
- ISO 80-6400
- 1cm minimum focusing distance
- 11fps full resolution continuous shooting
- Creative control with 16 artistic effects
- Versatile shooting functions including time lapse shot
- Available in black
Leica D-Lux 6 Handling
The D-Lux 6 doesn't feature a grip on the front of the camera, instead an optional grip is available. A lens cap can be attached with the lens strap loop to make sure you don't lose it. The camera also comes with a high quality neck strap that helps add additional quality to the camera. A customisable function button can be found on the back 4-way d-pad, a control dial as well as an ND / focus switch. On top of the lens surround is an aspect ratio switch, and on the left of the focus switch letting you choose between AF / AF+Macro or Manual.
The D-Lux 6 comes with a built in dual-axis electronic level, as well as an updated Leica styled menu system. The menu is clear and has a wealth of options. The camera provides a Q. Menu button giving quick access to common settings overlaid on the rear screen. The screen is bright and clear, although a little difficult to see in really bright conditions. There is the option to purchase an electronic viewfinder if preferred.
Battery life is rated at 330 shots according to CIPA standards, during testing we managed more than this and the battery was still going strong. We tested the camera's performance at focusing, shutter response, shot-to-shot time, continuous shooting etc. and have posted the results below. To test this we took 6 or more shots and calculated the average.
| Shutter Response | <0.05 seconds | |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.25 seconds | |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.3 seconds | |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 1.3 seconds | |
| Shot to Shot (without flash) | 0.8 seconds | |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 1.3 seconds | |
| Burst shooting - 2 fps | 2.1 fps | |
| Burst shooting - 5 fps | 5 fps | |
| Burst shooting - 11 fps | 11 fps | |
| Burst shooting - 40 fps | 40 fps | |
| Burst shooting - 60 fps | 60 fps | |
| Flash burst | 1.3 fps |
Continuous shooting is certainly impressive offering 11 fps continuous shooting at full resolution, or 5 fps continuous shooting with C-AF. You can shoot at 40 and 60 fps, with file size restricited to 5 and 2.5 megapixels respectively, in JPEG format. The camera shoots RAW at 11fps and will take 12 shots before writing to card, although it does take a while to record the photos to the card.
Leica D-Lux 6 Performance
Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.Leica D-LUX 6 Sample Photos
 Drive | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  HDR Drive | 1/640 sec | f/4.0 | 4.7 mm | ISO 160 |
 Camera Flash | 1/60 sec | f/2.0 | 12.8 mm | ISO 320 |  Studio Flash | 1/160 sec | f/8.0 | 14.7 mm | ISO 80 |
Sample Photos - The D-Lux 6 takes pictures with excellent colour reproduction, with portrait shots having excellent skin tones, with just the slightest hint of red-eye when shooting with the flash. The HDR mode does an excellent job of retaining detail in the shadows.
Leica D-LUX 6 Lens test images
 Wide | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Wide With ND | 1/160 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |
 Zoom | 1/2000 sec | f/2.8 | 17.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Zoom With ND | 1/200 sec | f/2.8 | 17.7 mm | ISO 80 |
 Trees | 1/160 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Macro | 0.3 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 100 |
 f/1.4 | 1/640 sec | f/1.4 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  f/2.0 | 1/400 sec | f/2.0 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |
Lens Performance - Images are packed with detail throughout when shooting at both ends of the lens. Purple fringing is kept to a minimum. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 1cm, with an impressive, well detailed macro shot possible.
Leica D-LUX 6 ISO test images
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 |  |  3m (JPEG only) | 1/1600 sec | f/4.0 | 14.7 mm | ISO 12800 |
ISO Noise Performance - Images at ISO 80 and 100 are free of noise, with only a little extra appearing when you shoot at ISO 200, 400 and 800. A little softening appears at ISO 1600, with ISO 3200 showing the first real signs of a loss in image quality, but images are still fairly sharp. At ISO 6400 images are very soft and look like they've been smudged. At the highest setting of ISO 12800, images are extremely noisy, but file size is limited to 3 megapixels.
Leica D-LUX 6 White-balance test images
 Awb Tung L1040013 | 1/25 sec | f/2.8 | 9.2 mm | ISO 100 |  Tung Preset L1040014 | 1/25 sec | f/2.8 | 9.2 mm | ISO 100 |  Awb Flu L1040012 | 1/8 sec | f/2.8 | 9.2 mm | ISO 100 |
White Balance Performance - Under both our incandescent and fluorescent lights, the AWB preset copes really well. The incandescent preset has a slight orange cast in the image, there is no fluorescent preset available, this isn't a problem given the impressive AWB performance.
Panorama | 1/200 sec | f/8.0 | 4.7 mm | ISO 100
Panorama mode - Panoramas have a decent amount of detail and are really well stitched together.
Leica D-LUX 6 Other sample images
 Tall Trees | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Into Sun | 1/1600 sec | f/5.6 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |
Leica D-LUX 6 Digital filters
 Mono | 1/1000 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Natural | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Scenery | 1/1600 sec | f/3.2 | 7.9 mm | ISO 80 |  Vivid | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |
 Cross Process | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Expressive | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  High Dynamic | 1/2000 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 400 |  High Key | 1/320 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |
 Impressive Art | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 125 |  Landscape | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Low Key | 1/1600 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Miniature | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |
 Dynamic Mono | 1/1000 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Retro | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Sepia | 1/1000 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Soft Focus | 1/1000 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |
 Star | 1/1300 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 80 |  Toy | 1/800 sec | f/2.8 | 4.7 mm | ISO 125 |
Digital Filters - There are a number of picture styles which can be used when shooting in modes such as manual, aperture and shutter priority. The creative control modes can only be used as their own indepent modes, but you can increase or decrease the level of their affect.
Video - Below is a video shot at full 1080p HD. Quality is excellent, optical zoom is available during recording, an example of which can be seen on the ePHOTOzine Youtube Page, where you will also find an example using the high-speed video mode. The camera's high-speed video mode records at 720p and 100fps.
Value For Money
The Leica D-Lux 6 is priced at £599, which is a lot of money for a serious compact camera, although included in that price is a 1 year Leica Passport Scheme (which includes accidental damage cover), 3 year warranty, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4, and, if you buy from Harrison Cameras, a 32GB SanDisk memory card. Alternatives to look at include the Fujifilm FinePix X100 (£550), Sony Cyber-shot RX100 (£450), Olympus XZ-2 (£420), and for more take a look at our Top 10 Best Serious Compact Cameras.You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Leica D-Lux 6 Verdict
The Leica D-Lux 6 is a superb camera with many DSLR features packed into a compact body with a number of external controls, which produces excellent images. If you have a good budget to spend and aren't concerned by large amounts of optical zoom, but want a serious camera capable of great results, you can't go wrong, although the price will be off-putting to many. You can shoot at full resolution at 11 fps, battery life is excellent, there is low noise up to ISO 3200, and full manual controls with RAW shooting. The camera has a more subtle design than the Panasonic Lumix LX7, the prestigeous Leica red dot, as well as a a number of bundled extras.
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Buy Online Now |
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| The Leica D-Lux 6 packs many useful features with superb image quality, although the price is high. |
Leica D-Lux 6 Pros
Excellent image qualityBright f/1.4 wide angle lensRAW shootingFull manual controls1080p HD video recording11 fps full resolution continuous shootingBuilt-in electronic levelGood battery lifeLow noise up to ISO 3200Good AWB performance3 year warrantyLeica D-Lux 6 Cons
Limited zoom rangePrice makes it quite an investmentLacks grip at the front| FEATURES |
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The Leica D-Lux 6 is available from Harrison Cameras.
Leica D-LUX 6 Specifications
| Manufacturer | Leica | |
| Lens | ||
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 - f/2.3 | |
| 35mm equivalent | 24mm - 90mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 3.8x | |
| Image Sensor | ||
| CCD pixels | 10.1Mp (Megapixels) | |
| Pixels (W) | 3648 | |
| Pixels (H) | 2736 | |
| Sensor Type | Live MOS Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 1/1.7 inch | |
| Sensor Size (width) | No Data | |
| Sensor Size (height) | No Data | |
| Aspect Ratio |
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| LCD Monitor | ||
| LCD Monitor | 3in | |
| Screen resolution | 920k dots | |
| Touch Screen | Yes | |
| Focusing | ||
| Min Focus | 1cm | |
| Focusing modes |
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| Exposure Control | ||
| Shutter speeds shortest | 1/4000sec | |
| Shutter speeds longest | 8sec | |
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| ISO sensitivity | 80 - 12800 | |
| White balance |
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| Exposure Comp | +/-3 | |
| Shooting Options | ||
| Continuous shooting | 11fps | |
| Video | ||
| Movie mode | Yes | |
| Video Resolution |
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| Video FPS | 50p | |
| Stereo Sound | Yes | |
| Optical Zoom with Video | Yes | |
| Other Features | ||
| Image Stabilisation | Yes | |
| Interface | ||
| HDMI | Yes | |
| USB | USB 2 | |
| Wi-Fi | No | |
| Storage | ||
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| Power Source | ||
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion | |
| CIPA Rating | 330 | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | Battery pack, battery charger, shoulder strap, USB cable, CD-ROM, hot shoe cover, screw cover, lens cap and lens cap string | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 269g | |
| Width | 110.5mm | |
| Height | 67.1mm | |
| Depth | 45.6mm | |
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Comments
Quote: "Due to the similarities, this review is based on the LX7 review."
I'm confused. Did you test the Leica, or not?
Yes, we tested the Leica (all photos, video etc is from the Leica), it is just a lot of the text is the same, due to the specifications of the products being the same.
Quote: it is just a lot of the text is the same, due to the specifications of the products being the same.
Honestly, I go into Tesco to buy a Leica and they sell me a Panasonic with a Leica label!
Next thing you know I'll go to buy a beefburger and come out with a horseburger with a beef label.
I hope ePZ has reported its findings to the Food Standards Authority - sorry CSA (Camera Standards Authority).
I don`t know what all the fuss is about.
Even Hasselblad had a camera that carried to different manufacturers names 
You have probably already guessed, I was talking about the xpan, but yes you are right.
Great review. Concise and to the point. I used to have a d-lux 5 until a few months ago, which I missed a lot, and I just ordered a d-lux 6.
I want to get a practical case now. I looked at your cases page but I don't know what would be the best fit for the d-lux 6. Would you have a recommendation about it?
Cheers
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