Leica vs Panasonic

[Ronnoco]

Besides the price difference, is anyone aware of other differences between the Leica digital cameras and the Panasonic cameras with similar bodies and Leica lenses?

Ronnoco

[Photo-John]

As far as I know, the only difference is that beautiful red dot

For all practical purposes they are the same.

[Ronnoco]

Originally Posted by Photo-John

As far as I know, the only difference is that beautiful red dot

For all practical purposes they are the same.

Don't know how important they are but I have discovered some differences.

Apparently the Leica lenses on Panasonic cameras are manufactured by Panasonic under license from Leitz. Those on Leica cameras are manufactured directly by Leitz. Do the lens standards match? The chips in the Leica cameras have also been preprogrammed to match Leica parameters particularly in the area of colour. The camera bodies seem to be individual to either Leica or Panasonic and therefore with differences.

Ronnoco

[Photo-John]

Where did you learn of these differences? I don't want to be too much of a skeptic, but these differences would raise production costs and potentially void a lot of the value of the Panasonic / Leica partnership. On the other hand, it would be nice to find that you actually do get more for your money when you pay for the red dot. The only way to really find out would be to do a head-to-head test. What do you think? Shall I see if I can arrange it? That would be good, wouldn't it!

[Ronnoco]

Originally Posted by Photo-John

Where did you learn of these differences? I don't want to be too much of a skeptic, but these differences would raise production costs and potentially void a lot of the value of the Panasonic / Leica partnership. On the other hand, it would be nice to find that you actually do get more for your money when you pay for the red dot. The only way to really find out would be to do a head-to-head test. What do you think? Shall I see if I can arrange it? That would be good, wouldn't it!

I think that a head-to-head test is an absolutely great idea. I am sure that a lot of photographers would be interested in the results. I notice that the manual controls and other features on the Leica D-Lux 3, certainly make it worth considering as an upgrade to a pocket camera and the Leica V-Lux would certainly seem to be the best of the EVF (all in one) cameras. Both are 10 megapixels and certainly not outrageous in price even for the red dot version.

Ronnoco

[Ronnoco]

Originally Posted by Photo-John

Where did you learn of these differences? I don't want to be too much of a skeptic, but these differences would raise production costs and potentially void a lot of the value of the Panasonic / Leica partnership.

True and a healthy skepticism is always useful but my view is that it certainly fits perfectly with the "style" and "culture" of the Leica business corporation as well as the licensing practices of Panasonic.

Ronnoco

[mwfanelli]

FWIW... CNet claims the Panasonic and Leicas are exactly the same camera other than Leica changing some of the firmware. For example, the JPEGs are less compressed and that makes the write speed slower. And, of course, the price goes up for the Leica label.

If the disaster-prone M8 digital device is any clue, it appears that Leica is having a good deal of trouble moving to digital

[Ronnoco]

Interesting that related to the lens on the Panasonic Japanese site it said:in effect that it complies with the quality assurance program set forth by Leica, which certainly does not tell you, who manufactured it.

Ronnoco