Leica D-Lux 5 Digital Camera, Black {10.1MP} 18151

Leica D-Lux 5: f/2 compact with a 24–90mm reach

The D-Lux 5 puts a 24–90mm equivalent f/2 lens into a 271g body, and that maximum aperture is the specification that defines everything about how this camera shoots. At f/2, you're pulling in light that most compact lenses can't touch, which means usable results at ISO 800 and 1600 even from the 10MP CCD sensor. Speaking of that CCD: it renders color and tonality differently than the CMOS sensors that followed it everywhere, with a smoothness in gradients that still has advocates among photographers who shoot for print.

Full manual exposure control, aperture priority, shutter priority, and RAW capture mean you're not locked into automatic modes. The 1-centimeter macro focus range is genuinely close, useful for detail work that a typical travel zoom dismisses entirely. Four native aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9) shoot natively to the sensor than cropping after the fact, a Leica/Panasonic collaboration feature that lets you compose for the final frame directly. The hot shoe accepts external flash, and 720p AVCHD Lite video at up to 60fps covered the HD standard for its era and still delivers clean footage for archival or reference use.

This is a camera built around the lens. At a focal length and aperture combination that no phone has replicated in a shirt-pocket form factor, the D-Lux 5 earns its place as a deliberate, capable shooting tool.

Who It's For

Street photographers working in low light will find the f/2 maximum aperture gives genuine flexibility that most compacts deny them. Travel shooters who want RAW files and manual control without carrying interchangeable lenses get a 24–90mm range that covers wide establishing shots and moderate compression in one body. Photographers with an eye for film-era color rendering will appreciate the CCD sensor's tonal character. Close-up and product photographers benefit from the 1cm macro focus range, which lets you work at distances that most fixed-lens compacts physically cannot reach.

Key Features

• 10MP 1/1.63" CCD sensor with smooth color rendering
• 24–90mm f/2 equivalent lens with 3.8x optical zoom
• Manual exposure, aperture priority, shutter priority, and RAW capture
• Four native aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9) shoot to sensor natively
• 1cm macro focus range for detail work and close subjects
• 720p AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG video at up to 60fps
• ISO up to 12,800 (Hi Auto) and optical image stabilization
• Optional electronic viewfinder and hot-shoe external flash

FAQ

What makes the f/2 aperture on a 24–90mm zoom so useful in a compact?

Most compact zooms max out at f/3.5 or f/4.5. At f/2, the D-Lux 5 captures enough light to shoot ISO 800–1600 handheld in low light without needing a tripod or flash, and the shallow depth of field separates subjects from backgrounds even in daylight.

Does the 10MP CCD sensor feel dated compared to modern compacts?

No. CCD sensors render color and tonality with a smoothness in gradients that CMOS cameras don't replicate, and for print work, that distinction still matters. The lower pixel count keeps file sizes manageable and performs better at high ISO than you'd expect.

Can you shoot RAW on this camera?

Yes. RAW + JPEG capture is standard, so you have full post-processing control over exposure and color without being locked into the camera's JPEG processing.

How close does the macro focus go?

1 centimeter. That's genuinely close for detail work - useful for small objects or text documentation that most travel zooms ignore entirely.

What's the benefit of native aspect ratio shooting?

The D-Lux 5 shoots 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9 natively to the sensor instead of cropping after capture. You compose for the final frame directly without pixel waste, and each ratio uses the full sensor width available.

Does the optional electronic viewfinder work well?

It's an optional accessory that mounts to the hot shoe. Helpful for steady framing in bright sunlight where the LCD washes out, though it's not built-in.

What video formats does it shoot?

1280×720 at 60fps and 30fps in AVCHD Lite, plus Motion JPEG at various lower resolutions. Clean footage for archival or reference use, though 720p is the upper limit.