Leica 'Digilux 2' 5MP Digital Camera with 3.2x Optical Zoom

Rating:
Summary: A great learning tool / very cool camera !
Review: The Leica Digilux 2 is one of the best digital cameras on the market, if not the best. The fact that you could operate the camera manually makes it an excellent tool for learning photography. It is an expensive camera but worth the price. Many old school Leica purists have also switched to Digilux 2. It has been such a pleasure using the camera.

The positive:
+Classic retro design; a delicate balance between old & new technology
+The Lens is just simply amazing, sharp like a razor
+Images are comparable to film
+User-friendly digital interface and buttons
+LCD display is large, bright and clear
+Battery life is long enough for hours of shooting
+Built-in flash & bounce mode
+Camera has a fluid, dynamic feel in hands
+Leica strap is included

The negative:
-Expensive
-Camera life span & value over time are questionable
-RAW mode might be too slow for some users

Rating:
Summary: One of the best digital cameras in its class
Review: The Leica Digilux 2 resembles nothing more than a scaled-up version of the classic Leica M 35mm rangefinder camera (think Leica M3, M2 or M4) and handles nearly as well as its film-based ancestors. It is very easy to use and the picture quality is superb, thanks to its new Vario-Summicron lens. It's a second generation digital camera designed jointly by Leica and Panasonic, and thus is a major improvement over its predecessor, the original Leica Digilux. This is not a camera meant for the casual user, but instead, one who is either a serious amateur or professional photographer interested in a high grade non-interchangeable lens digital camera. I wish it was a little cheaper, but to its credit, Leica has produced a capable picture-making tool that is not horrendously expensive.

Rating:
Summary: Luddites go home . . .
Review: To the person that mentioned the Leica Digilux 2 will be obsolete in 2 years, I'm sure many luddites don't like digital photography. Get used to it as it's here to stay. The Leica Digilux 2, and its sister Panasonic Lumix DMC LC-1, are the best digital rangefinder cameras, I think. I like the fact that it has both a fully automatic position or an immediate manual setting. As for price, buy the Panasonic considering it's identical (Leica Digilux 2 was developed in conjunction with Panasonic). I've seen the Panasonic as low as $1200. Either way, both are fantastic!

Rating:
Summary: Luddites go home . . .
Review: To the person that mentioned the Leica Digilux 2 will be obsolete in 2 years, I'm sure many luddites don't like digital photography. Get used to it as it's here to stay. The Leica Digilux 2, and its sister Panasonic Lumix DMC LC-1, are the best digital rangefinder cameras, I think. I like the fact that it has both a fully automatic position or an immediate manual setting. As for price, buy the Panasonic considering it's identical (Leica Digilux 2 was developed in conjunction with Panasonic). I've seen the Panasonic as low as $1200. Either way, both are fantastic!