Leica D-Lux 8 vs D-Lux 7: Is the “baby Q” worth an upgrade?
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A few years ago, I wasn’t sure we’d see a showdown between the Leica D-Lux 8 and the D-Lux 7. However, the compact camera market has exploded – and Leica is one of the few manufacturers supporting this niche segment.
Its latest compact, the Leica D-Lux 8, has been officially launched – replacing the Leica D-Lux 7 released in 2018.
Although the latter is now very difficult to find new, it remains widely available on the second-hand market. And since the two cameras share a lot of DNA – but with some very important differences – I wanted to take stock with a comparison between the Leica D-Lux 8 and the D-Lux 7.
Leica D-Lux 8 vs D-Lux 7: Specs Comparison
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Header Cell – Column 0
Leica D-Lux 8
Leica D-Lux 7
Sensor
Four Thirds CMOS
MOS of the four thirds
Resolution
21.77 MP real • 17 MP effective
21.77 MP real • 17 MP effective
Video resolution
4K 30p • Full HD 60p • HD 30p
4K 30p • Full HD 60p • HD 30p
Lens
Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8 Aspherical Lens
Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8 Aspherical Lens
35mm equivalent
24-75 mm
24-75 mm
Image format
JPG • RAW (DNG)
JPG • RAW (RWL / Leica RAW)
Video format
MP4, H.264
MP4, H.264
Electronic researcher
OLED, 2.36 million dots, 60 fps, 0.74x magnification
LCD display, 2.76 million dots, 0.70x magnification
LCD screen
3 inch TFT touch screen, 1.84 million dots
3 inch TFT touch screen, 1.24 million dots
Max burst
11 fps (2 fps with AF)
11 fps (6 fps with AF)
Buffer
RAW 14, JPG 100
RAW 32, JPG 100
ISO sensitivity
ISO100 – 25,000
ISO200 – 25,600 (exp. at ISO100)
Memory card
Type SD, UHS-II
Type SD, UHS-I
Connectivity
USB-C, Micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Micro USB, Micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dimensions
120 x 69 x 62 mm
118 x 66 x 64 mm
Weight
397g (with battery)
403g (with battery)
The D-Lux 8 benefits from new, smoother and more elegant features, from the body to the dials (Photo credit: Leica)
Leica D-Lux 8 vs D-Lux 7: sensor
Both cameras feature the same 21.77MP Micro Four Thirds multi-aspect image sensor – although Leica lists the D-Lux 7 as a MOS while the D-Lux 8 is considered a CMOS sensor.
The term “multi-aspect” deserves some explanation and means that the camera can shoot in multiple aspect ratios by capturing different areas of the sensor. This is because the sensor is oversized to accommodate all the different formats, which not only maximizes their individual resolutions but also maintains the same angle of view.
So while the total sensor has 21.77 million pixels, changing the aspect ratio changes the shape and area recorded. So the cameras shoot 4:3 images at 16.8 MP, 3:2 at 16.2 MP, 16:9 at 15 MP, and 1:1 at 12.6 MP.
The D-Lux 7 features slightly harsher details and a more angular silhouette (Photo credit: Leica)
Leica D-Lux 8 vs D-Lux 7: Photography
Although their sensors are the same, there are some performance differences between the two cameras.
Most importantly, RAW shooting; while the D-Lux 7 uses Leica’s proprietary RWL files (which caused image processing headaches early in the camera’s life), the D-Lux 8 supports the standard (and arguably superior) DNG format.
Sensitivity is also slightly different. The D-Lux 7 had a native range of ISO 200-25,600, expandable to ISO 100. The D-Lux 8 lowers the base sensitivity but lowers the ceiling slightly, with a native range of ISO 100-25,000.
Burst rates also differ between the bodies. Both cameras are capable of a maximum continuous shooting speed of 11fps, but the D-Lux 7 can achieve up to 6fps with autofocus while the D-Lux 8 can only manage 2fps – although in the newer camera’s favour, it captures files in 12-bit, with faster performance in 10-bit. Buffer depth is also different, which I cover in the Body section, construction, interface below.
Personally, I think this is a win for the D-Lux 8, though it’s certainly a tradeoff. For me, a lower base ISO is more useful than a little more space at the top, and I don’t use this type of camera for autofocus burst shooting. However, if you’re not particularly picky about ISO and like to shoot autofocus bursts to make sure you get that decisive moment, this could be a win for the D-Lux 7.
The D-Lux 7 is available in silver and a host of other limited edition colours and designs. (Photo credit: Leica)
Leica D-Lux 8 vs D-Lux 7: video
The main video specifications are the same; both cameras can shoot up to 4K 30p, FullHD (1080p) 60p, and HD (720p) 30p.
The difference is in the recording time. The D-Lux 7 can continuously record 29 minutes of FullHD but is limited to just 15 minutes of 4K, while the D-Lux 8 can capture up to 29 minutes of FullHD and 4K.
The D-Lux 8 clearly won, but it’s disappointing that this limit still exists. The 29 minutes and 59 seconds limit that we’ve seen on so many cameras over the years was put in place simply to avoid additional taxation, as the legislation stipulated that any camera capable of recording 30 minutes of video would be subject to classification and tax as a video camera.
This legislation was phased out in 2019, so while it’s normal for the 2018 D-Lux 7 to have this limitation, there’s no reason for the D-Lux 8 to still be crippled by it.
The D-Lux 8 features a textured finish reminiscent of the Leica Q3 (Photo credit: Leica)
Leica D-Lux 8 vs D-Lux 7: Body, Construction, Interface
Just like the core technology, the built-in lens is the same for both models: the Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8 Asph, which offers a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 24-75mm.
The differences start at the body: the D-Lux 8 is slightly larger, but thinner and lighter. In fact, it was modeled after the Leica Q3, earning it the nickname “baby Q” on the internet. As a result, it has a sleeker silhouette and softer lines than its predecessor, with a textured finish reminiscent of the Q3.
The resemblance isn’t just superficial, as the D-Lux 8 also incorporates the Q3’s menu system and interface – and believe it or not, it’s a radical departure. Having used Leica’s latest mirrorless cameras, the best way to describe it is to say that Leica and Apple have designed an interface – it’s an absolute joy to use, and the tactility makes you feel more ‘at one’ with the camera.
The D-Lux 8’s new interface also supports the Leica Fotos app, which is arguably the best and fastest of any manufacturer. It can be essential if you want to get your images out to social media as soon as possible and take advantage of the Leica Looks presets. Take a look at its incredibly fast transfer speeds, even with huge 61MP files from the Leica SL3:
The screens have changed, too. The D-Lux 7’s electronic viewfinder has a slightly higher resolution, slightly lower magnification, and older technology, being a 2.76 million-dot LCD with 0.70x magnification. The D-Lux 8 has a brighter 2.36 million-dot OLED viewfinder with 0.74x magnification.
Both cameras feature a fixed 3-inch TFT touchscreen, although the D-Lux 8 has a better resolution at 1.84 million dots compared to the D-Lux 7’s 1.24 million.
As you might expect, the D-Lux 8 has been upgraded to a USB-C port where the D-Lux 7 still had a micro USB, and the new camera also supports SD cards up to the faster UHS-II standard, compared to its predecessor’s UHS-I.
Oddly enough, this doesn’t translate into a higher buffer depth; the D-Lux 7 promises 32 serially recorded files with RAW and over 100 with JPG, while the D-Lux 8 has a buffer of 14 DNGs and over 100 JPGs. I can only assume that the disparity is because the newer model captures larger 12-bit DNGs.
Both cameras feature Leica’s CF D flash, although only the D-Lux 8 is compatible with the Fotos app (Photo credit: Leica)
Leica D-Lux 8 vs D-Lux 7: Conclusion
Some observers have dismissed the Leica D-Lux 8 as little more than the D-Lux 7 in new clothes (and I would be remiss not to mention that the D-Lux 7 was, quite literally, a Panasonic Lumix LX100 II with a Leica body and badge).
However, these two cameras have some very important differences.
In short, the D-Lux 8 has better RAW files, a lower base ISO for photos, a slower burst speed if you want continuous autofocus, can shoot 4K video for twice as long, offers USB-C and UHS-II support, has a better viewfinder and rear screen, and has a body and menu system inspired by the Leica Q3 with support for the Leica Fotos app.
The D-Lux 7 has a slightly higher native ISO ceiling, can produce three times as many frames with AF when shooting in burst mode, higher resolution in the viewfinder, is slightly smaller, and has a more aggressive silhouette.
In my opinion, the D-Lux 8 is the better camera, even though it’s newer and more expensive. They’re so similar technologically, though, that you’ll be almost as well served in terms of pure performance by the D-Lux 7.
While this means buying second-hand, it also allows you to have a more unique camera; the D-Lux 8 is only available in black, while the D-Lux 7 is also available in silver, as well as an endless number of special edition finishes, including an iconic James Bond version with gun holster and a cool Bathing Ape collaboration in camo.
You might be interested in the best Leica cameras, as well as the best Micro Four Thirds cameras, both of which include compelling alternatives, if you’re considering the D-Lux lineup.
