Compact Cameras Get Better with Leica C-Lux 3 and D-Lux 4

Although the mass populace tends to turn to names like Canon, Sony, and Nikon for their consumer camera needs, one name that certainly deserves your attention is Leica, especially with these two latest creations. Sure, the Leica C-Lux 3 and D-Lux 4 don’t look like anything special, but you also have to remember that many other companies rely on Leica for their optics.

The Leica C-Lux 3, on the left, is the simpler of the two. You get 10 megapixels of high resolution goodness, 25-125mm zoom, optical image stabilization, face recognition, and auto scene mode detection. It’s set for release some time next month with an estimated street price of around $600.

The Leica D-Lux 4, on the right, is a little more powerful. The lenses are designed to take adapters to adjust the zoom lens, bordering on the DSLR territory of swappable lenses. There’s also a hot shoe for either an optical viewfinder or an external flash. No date has been announced for the D-Lux 4 just yet, but it should arrive “later this year” for about $840.