Rating: 
Summary: EXPENSIVE, BUT WELL WORTH THE COST!
Review: 31 DEC 04: Let me preface this review with a little personal history. I have been taking photographs for 53 years and ran a part-time wedding photography business for 24 years. I fought the change to digital for years, but finally succumbed in 2002. Since that time, I have never looked back. The Digilux 2 is my sixth digital camera and I can honestly say it takes better photographs than any of my other cameras, including my Nikon D-100. The Nikon is more flexible, with interchangable lenses, but the Leica is much more portable and intuitive.
Some might complain that the camera is "only" a five megapixel unit. But, there are megapixels and there are megapixels....not all are created equal. The CCD on the Digilux 2 is very large, providing larger megapixels. This solves a lot of problems currently being experienced by high-megapixel "pro-sumer" cameras and creates stunning photographs.
Having used range-finders and other "analog" cameras for many years, the Leica is like an old friend. There is no other digital camera on the market that is easier to use, when switching from "automatic" to manual or shutter/f-stop priority. This camera is usable by everyone, from a beginner (just go "full auto", until you learn more about the camera's capabilities) to a professional.
The Digilux 2 is built like a tank and will stand years of service and abuse. The LCD is HUGE, as well as being the clearest and brightest I have ever seen. It's usable even in bright sunlight. The built-in straight or bounce flash capability is extremely useful.
My only complaint is that Leica should have made the switch from "Autofocus" to "Autofocus-Macro" a little stiffer. It's easy to move the switch and not be aware that you have done so (if you set the display to show the switch position, it is easy to check through the viewfinder before you take the shot). With all the other things going for it, I will not let that minor thing keep me from giving the camera a full five stars.
If you can afford it, the Digilux 2 will serve you well for many years.
UPDATE (5 JAN 05): Now that I have used this camera for a longer period of time, I would like to add some additional thoughts/information, based on that usage. (1) Because of the weight, configuration, minimum shutter lag, and lack of "monkey motion" (flipping mirrors, etc.), it is extremely easy to hand-hold the Digilux 2 at low shutter speeds that would be impossible with digital SLRs or most other digital cameras. Check out the sample photos on this site, many of them taken hand-held at 1/20th - 1/25th sec. (2) The depth-of-field is amazing, even at F-2.0. (3) The "out-of-the-camera color is the best of any digital camera I have ever owned or used, including top-of-the-line SLRs. (4) The custom white balance settings are quick, easy, and spot on. (5) The tonal values, when the camera is set on B&W are outstanding. (6) Contrast is also outstanding. BOTTOM LINE: I am in love!.
Rating: 
Summary: Traditional Design in the Digital Age
Review: AESTHETICS: The Leica Digilux 2 can be described as a modern "retro" design. The body style is a direct descendant of the M6 and those before it. The body looks huge. It is about 33% larger than an M6, but this isn't readily apparent until you set it next to any Leica M chassis. There is a gaudy overabundance of faux chrome in the back. This is the least appealing part of the camera, because of the chrome finish that surrounds and accentuates the presence of the LCD monitor. I would have preferred a more predominant use of either a black finish or the faux leather. The rubber around the eyepiece is bulbous, but acceptable. Overall, it is a handsome camera. ERGONOMICS: What sold me are the traditional manual adjustments: The focusing ring, the aperture ring, zoom adjustment, and shutter speed dial are so much more workable in the field. You do not have to take your eye away from the viewfinder like you would with touch pads and four-way rocker switches. Leave that for reviewing the recorded images. The box construction has the familiar feel of an M body, but weighs less. The "grippy" black rubber finish is handsome and remotely resembles leather. The flash has two positions: press halfway and it will set up for bounce flash. Press all the way down, and it will point directly towards the subject. PRACTICALITIES: At the average price of about $1850 U.S. dollars, one would have to factor in the name. But also figure in the build quality. There is the magnesium body, real metal hinges on the doors (which are designed beautifully), traditional aperture ring, manual & auto focusing, shutter speed dial, superior image processing (for markedly lower noise levels than the competition), aspherical Summicron lens, larger than average lcd monitor; and a few more, but the general impression is that it's built well. The baseplate is bare, but there are three 1/8" diameter round rubber feet, and one round plastic foot that is molded out of the battery door itself. Attention to small details are what I like about the Leica. For example, the camera strap also comes with two leatherette scuff protectors that fit around the camera strap eyelets. And not only is a lens cap included, but a lens cap for the lens shade. THE BOTTOM LINE: The photographs are the bottom line. The images and image quality are on par with the pro-level dslr's. There is a real Summicron aboard this camera, and of it, I rest assured. There are and will be cameras with higher pixel counts, but I've come to realize that if most of my photographs will be printed smaller than 11" x 14," then I am not lacking with the five megapixels. This is not a point-and-shoot, as most would regard it as such. It can be set up for that if you wish, but the manual focusing, aperture and shutter adjustments make the D2 a capable tool for anybody who pursues photography seriously.
Rating:
Summary: A Strong Reason For Going Digital
Review: as a 'dyed-in-the-wool' traditional film camera enthusiast (and having owned and used nikon, leica, canon and olympus slrs and view finders), i strongly resisted for the longest time 'going digital'...that is to say, until the leica digilux2 came along... i am now a confirmed digital convert, and can say that the quality of images rendered from the digilux2, when compared to the photos rendered from my film cameras and in the absence of investing in my own film processing studio, will make the new leica a preferred choice for many years to come, and notwithstanding the 5 megapixel sensoring....
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely stunning
Review: Extremely high picture quality and the handling of a traditional camera. A great buy.
Rating:
Summary: Expensive but worth it overall
Review: Having used both Canon and Leica film cameras for years, I moved to digital first with a Canon S40 which took surprisingly good pictures, but I always missed 28mm wide angle capability. So had been thinking of getting a DSLR (e.g. Nikon D100) for a while but quite simply liked the aesthetic appeal of a Leica but in digital format (Digilux 1 was just too weak). Made the jump to the Digilux 2 for a number of reasons - slightly smaller than a DSLR, Leica lens (speed and sharpness), image contrast and definition, look and feel. Despite the hurdle of the expense - and it is comparably expensive - this is an awesome camera. For sure, you could technically get more quality/value per se in a DSLR for same price or less but is just isn't the same as the feel of the Leica. This is really the first time in the digital space that I feels like I'm using a "real" camera again. Pro's :
- Fast extremely high quality lens
- Wonderful and intuitive manual-like controls for good "flow"
- Unless you're into action photography the RAW write lock times on a fast SD card (e.g. Sandisk Ultra II) is hardly noticable.
- Large LCD screen for good previews
- Actually not a bad EVF - despite what some of the reviews have said. Cons:
- Expensive for what it is. Personally, I think it's worth an extra few 100 bucks for the feel of this camera..just makes you want to take more pictures.
- Supplied software, especially RAW conversion is terrible. Only practial way to do RAW properly is with raw plug-in for Photoshop CS
- RAW mode also stores a JPEG on the card, which is odd. It's useful in that you can preview stuff quicker, although with CS file browser you can do this anyway. Downside is it takes up space.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy a real M series please.
Review: How long will this two grand camera last or be obsolete? 2 years tops. Buy an M6, M7 or MP for your two grand and you'll have something that lasts a lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the price if...
Review: I read every review I could find of the Leica D2 and still had qualms about buying one. Having received it and used it, I can now say that it was the right purchase. Others have commented on the D2's outstanding picture quality (don't go by the number of megapixels alone, the quality of the lens is at least as important). What I'll add is that the D2's lens is so fast that you can take almost any reasonably lit indoor picture without using the flash -- a major plus for natural-looking pictures. I'm not as impressed by the ergonomics of Leica's traditional brick-with-a-lens shape as other reviewers, but the ease of use and solid feel of all of the controls more than make up for that.
The key point is that within the first half-hour of using the D2, I was paying more attention to the pictures I was taking than to the camera itself -- which is what I imagine Leica had in mind when they designed this great camera. Is the D2 worth what it costs? Not if you would only take it out of the drawer for holiday and vacation snapshots. But, if you are the kind of photographer who often grabs the camera on the way out the door just to take pictures, it is well worth the price. You will enjoy using it every time you pick it up.
Rating:
Summary: Form & function meet in a sublime package
Review: Keats once wrote that "a thing of beauty is a joy forever". That sums up how I already feel about the dl2 after a single day. I've never owned a digicam before because of the limitations this technology has had in relation to pro film cameras. However, the dl2 bridges the gap for sceptics like me, who want the best of both worlds. The dl2's big hits are (a) its build quality and attention to detail (like, the in-built flash can't open accidentally when the hot shoe flash is installed - very nice touch, one of many!) (b) the super fast 28-90 lens where f2 doesn't mean f8 (which is the digicam equivalent) but real f2, so there's lovely DOF effects that bring subjects into psychological focus as you would expect in a "real" film camera, (c) having the usual manual control rings on the fixed length lens, which doesn't do a blind man's shuffle when zooming like most other AF cams, digital or not, (d) its near silent operation, (e) the massive LCD, (f) the very large CCD whose 5Mp output isn't the product of sacrificing true quality for an artificially beefed up spec (g) the rational ergonomic menu and corresponding manual controls, (h) the staggering optics - the focus and resolution is as good at the edge of the image as it is at the centre.
Minuses? Yes, it IS chunky but not excessively heavy either, it IS retro looking, but that's not a bad thing in some minds, the RAW mode IS slow to save but consider its upside if you really need it, as hi-res JPEG is good for most situations and newer fast memory cards will deal with this in time, and finally the price - forgotten long after you remember the quality and the incredible service it gives you - I have already! This is a scientific instrument in terms of build quality, calibration and optical precision, so you can't really compare it to other would-be competitors even among SLRs as most are clumsy and riddled with excessive feature creep, and hence appear over-hyped and over-priced for what they offer by comparison to the Leica's ergonomics, elegance and ease of use that don't come at the price of a performance compromise.
Rating:
Summary: A Strong Reason For Going Digital
Review: Sure, the Nikon 5400 is capable of similar pictures, at least in ideal situations, if you have the time to fight your way through its menus. But what makes the Leica d-2 the best camera currently available is its ease of use, the brilliant design of every knob and lever. Whatever you want to do, this camera can do it, simply, logically, and quickly. Bottom line: if you're rich, this is the best camera currently available. If you're poor, other digital cameras offer similar performance for a third of the price as long as you're willing to deal with their confused, convoluted, time-consuming menus and controls.
Rating:
Summary: I love this camera
Review: Sure, the Nikon 5400 is capable of similar pictures, at least in ideal situations, if you have the time to fight your way through its menus. But what makes the Leica d-2 the best camera currently available is its ease of use, the brilliant design of every knob and lever. Whatever you want to do, this camera can do it, simply, logically, and quickly. Bottom line: if you're rich, this is the best camera available. If you're poor, other digital cameras offer similar performance for a third the price if you're willing to deal with their confused, convoluted, time-consuming menus and controls.
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