42nd Street Photo recommends the Leica C-LUX 2 7.2 Megapixel Digital Camera

If you value style but not weight when you’re out looking for great images, you’ll love the ultra compact LEICA C-LUX 2 ! “The bottom line is the quality of the pictures – and this camera makes it easy. This camera is on the high end of the price range but you do get what you pay for. The elegant exterior design is unmistakably Leica and is matched by an immaculate standard of optics and digital technology inside. The optical image stabilizer and the intelligent exposure control prevent camera shake and ensure optimum definition. The C-LUX 2 offers higher resolution and slightly improved high ISO performance than Leica’s 5.1-megapixel C-LUX 1, which it replaces. The C-LUX 2 also comes with Panasonic’s Venus III processing engine.

Other Features:

• Image Type/Format 1/2.5″ CCD sensor with 7.38 million pixels (7.2 m pixels effective in 4:3 format).
• Resolution In 4:3 format either 3,072 x 2,304 pixels, 2,560 x 1,920 pixels, 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, 1,600 x 1,200 pixels, 1,280 x 960 pixels or 640 x 480 pixels. In Leica 3:2 format either 3,072 x 2,048 pixels or 2,048 x 1,360 pixels. In 16:9 format either 3,072 x 1,728 pixels or 1,920 x 1,080 pixels (corresponds to HDTV standard).
• Video Sequences In 16:9 format 848 x 480 pixels ; In 4:3 format with 640 x 480 pixels, or in 4:3 format with 320 x 240 pixels at either 30fps or 10fps, duration of recording limited by the capacity of the memory card. Recordings with sound. (Duration of recordings for UK/EU/ES-SCAN versions max. 15 min)
• Data Recording File formats : Still pictures JPEG (Fine/Standard) ; Video QuickTime Motion JPEG.
• Storage Media SDHC memory card, SD memory card and MultiMedia card (a 64 MB SD card is supplied with the camera).
• Film Speed Setting Either automatic, Intelligent ISO or manual ISO 100, ISO 200, 400, 800 or ISO 1250 (in high-sensitivity mode : 3200).
• White Balance Either automatic, for daylight, overcast sky, halogen light, two manual settings, fine adjustment of white balance in a range of -1500 to +1500 K in 150 K steps (not available for automatic setting).
• Exposure Exposure modes Either simple mode, normal image or macro. Exposure metering multi-field measurement Exposure bracketing +/- 2 EV in 1/ 3 EV steps.
• Shutter Speed Range In fully automatic mode: 8-1/2000 sec. Starry sky mode : 15, 30, 60 s. Video mode : 1/30 s -1/6400 s.
• Flash Flash modes either automatic flash on with or without pre-flash (to reduce red-eye), manual flash on (fill-in flash), SLOW for slower shutter speeds (with pre-flash), flash off. Flash range (ISO set at Auto) : 0.6-5.0 m (wide-angle), 0.3-2.0 m (telephoto), in high-sensitivity mode : 0.8-5.7 m (wide-angle), 0.8-2.8 m (telephoto).
• Scene Modes Portrait, soft skin, landscape, sport, night portrait, night landscape, starry sky, fireworks, food, party, candlelight, baby 1, baby 2, pets, sunset, high sensitivity, beach, snow, aerial, underwater.
• Function Key For direct control of : image stabilizer, bracketing speed, white balance, ISO setting, picture size, compression.
• Toning Effects Natural, standard, lively, blueish, reddish, black-and-white or sepia
• LCD Monitor 2,5″ polycrystalline TFT color display with 207,000 pixels. Field of view : almost 100 % Power LCD mode, wide-angle viewing mode.
• Self Timer Either 2 s or 10 s countdown.
• Live Histogram Yes
• Power Supply Lithium-ion battery (LEICA BP-DC6), 3.6 V, 1000 mAH or optional mains unit (LEICA ACA-DC4).
• Ports USB 2.0 (Full speed), DC in (power supply) and AV out.

For the die-hard Leica fan, the C-LUX 2 is a good choice.

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