Leica unveils new cameras

Leica today issued a final round of camera announcements, with four new cameras sharing the company's traditionalist design that cater to serious amateurs. The 7.5-megapixel Digilux 3 is the company's first purely digital mirror-lens reflex camera that uses a unique blend of old and new technology, according to Electronista. The Digilux 3 features automatic image stabilization as well as a dust removal system with the kit lens, and relies on manual adjustment rings for aperture, exposure, and zoom. The camera comes bundled with a 1GB SD card. Leica has yet to announce a launch date or price for most of its new camera models.

The D-Lux 3 is a simple point-and-shoot model, offering many features more advanced than even newly announced cameras such as the Canon SD900, according to the report. A 10.2-megapixel sensor ensures sharp images alongside a 1280x720 widescreen video mode. Appropriately, the lens is wide-angle and can reach a 4X optical zoom level. Leica includes a 64MB SD card with the camera.

Leica also introduced the M8, its first camera in the M-series to use its signature viewfinder system. The M8 has a 10-megapixel sensor and emphasizes manual control, including visual markers in the optical viewfinder. Leica is planning to ship the M8 for £3,000, but has yet to announce a release date.

by MacNN Staff