The Leica D-Lux 8 - in 60 Seconds

credits: Leica

The Leica D-Lux 8 is a small but premium compact camera aimed at enthusiasts. It’s an update to the D-Lux 7, keeping the same 17MP Four Thirds sensor and 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens, but with a refreshed design, a much-improved OLED viewfinder, and a simplified interface.

What’s New?

The biggest change is the viewfinder—it’s now OLED, which eliminates the rainbow-like fringing that some users saw in the previous model. The rear touchscreen is sharper, and Leica has redesigned the controls to feel more streamlined, ditching the old exposure comp dial in favor of a customizable command dial.

It also now supports DNG Raw files, making editing easier, and it has USB-C charging. The Bluetooth connection is updated to 5.0, but Wi-Fi is still limited to 2.4GHz, which isn’t the fastest.

Image Quality & Performance

Image quality is solid, but the sensor is showing its age. Compared to larger APS-C cameras like the Fuji X100 VI or Ricoh GR III, the D-Lux 8 has more noise at high ISOs and less dynamic range.

The lens is sharp, but oddly, it doesn’t perform quite as well in tests as the Panasonic LX100 II, which has the same optics.

Autofocus & Usability

Autofocus is basic but reliable, with face detection and tracking. The biggest downside? The zoom is slow, with a frustrating lag that makes quick adjustments difficult. Battery life is under 300 shots, so you’ll want to keep a charger handy.

Final Verdict

The D-Lux 8 looks great and feels great, with classic Leica design and simple controls. But for $1,595, it’s a tough sell. The sensor is old, the zoom is sluggish, and performance isn’t a huge step up from the D-Lux 7. If you love the Leica aesthetic and need a compact zoom, it’s worth considering. But for pure image quality and usability, you might find better value elsewhere.