Leica D-Lux (Typ 109) Digital Camera, Black {12.8MP} 18471

Leica's pocket-sized Vario-Summilux with a Four Thirds sensor.

The D-Lux (Typ 109) pairs a 13MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor with a 24–75mm f/1.7 Leica DC Vario-Summilux lens, that maximum aperture is the real story here. At f/1.7, you're pulling in significantly more light than most fixed-lens compacts can manage, which translates directly to cleaner files at higher ISOs and shallower depth of field that the small-sensor competition can't match. The ISO range runs from 100 to 25600, and 11fps continuous shooting gives you genuine burst capability in a coat-pocket body.

The built-in electronic viewfinder resolves 2,764,000 dots, which puts it well ahead of what most compacts offered at its generation. Composing in bright light is a non-issue. On the video side, 4K at 3840x2160 is fully supported at 24p and 30p, and the stereo microphone means basic audio capture doesn't require an adapter. Optical image stabilization keeps things steady across the zoom range. The 49-point autofocus system handles the mechanics, with RAW (DNG) output and up to 7-frame AE bracketing giving you the latitude to work the files afterward.

At 405 grams with a body that measures 118 x 66 x 55mm, this is a camera you'll actually carry. The Wi-Fi with NFC handles image transfer without fussing with cables, and the hot shoe accepts an external flash when you need more range than ambient allows. For shooters who want Leica glass and genuine manual controls in a form factor that fits a jacket pocket, the Typ 109 is a well-proven answer.

Who It's For

Street photographers get a f/1.7 lens at 24mm equivalent and 11fps burst shooting in a body small enough to go unnoticed. Travel photographers benefit from the 24–75mm zoom range and 4K video in a single carry-on-friendly package without swapping glass. Documentary and low-light shooters will use the f/1.7 maximum aperture and ISO 25600 ceiling to work in ambient conditions where slower lenses force higher noise penalties. Photographers who shoot RAW and bracket exposures have up to 7-frame AE bracketing and DNG output with full manual exposure control.

Key Features

• 13MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor with 2x focal length multiplier
• 24–75mm f/1.7 Leica DC Vario-Summilux fixed lens
• 2,764,000-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• 3840x2160 4K video at 24p and 30p with stereo audio
• 11fps continuous shooting with 49-point autofocus
• ISO 100–25,600 with optical image stabilization
• RAW (DNG) plus JPEG output with up to 7-frame AE bracketing
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n with NFC for wireless transfer

FAQ

Why f/1.7 on a compact camera?

At that aperture on a Four Thirds sensor, you're capturing light levels that small-sensor compacts simply can't match. That translates to usable files at ISO 6400 and higher, plus shallow depth of field that actually separates your subject from the background.

Does the electronic viewfinder actually work for composition?

The 2.76-megapixel EVF is genuinely bright and sharp enough for critical focus and exposure work in direct sunlight. It's far better than the basic LCD screens on competing fixed-lens cameras from that era.

What's the actual subject-to-lens distance at macro?

3cm minimum focus range means you're close enough for genuine macro work without needing a supplementary lens. Paired with f/1.7, that gives you real subject isolation at small scales.

How does the 24-75mm zoom range compare to competitors?

That's a 3.1x optical zoom spanning normal to short telephoto. The RX100 series maxed out at 100mm equivalent; the LX100 hits 75mm. On a Four Thirds sensor, 75mm is genuinely useful for compressed backgrounds and tighter framing.

Can I shoot RAW and still use autofocus?

Yes. RAW (DNG) output works across all shooting modes, and the 49-point AF system handles focus in RAW mode without limitation.

Is 11fps burst rate fast enough for action?

For a compact camera with optical zoom and a fixed lens, 11fps is solid capture rate. You're getting multiple frames per second across the entire focal range, which matters for unpredictable moments.

What about audio recording for video?

Stereo microphone is built in. Basic video sound capture doesn't require external hardware, though there's no headphone port for monitoring during recording.