Leica D-Lux 7 Review: The Ultimate Camera for Professional Photographers

Leica is a name that has always been synonymous with quality in the world of cameras. The Leica D-Lux 7 is the latest addition to their lineup, and it's designed to give professional photographers everything they need to capture stunning images with ease. This camera is teeming with features that make it standout in the crowded camera market, and in this post, we’ll break down what makes the Leica D-Lux 7 the perfect tool for professional photographers.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Leica D-Lux 7 article cover photo

Key Features

Nov 20 2018

Announced

17 megapixels

Resolution

BrandLeica
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight403g
MSRP$1195USD

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Overview of the D-Lux 7

If you’re a professional photographer, you know the importance of having a camera that can deliver the goods. Photography is an art form that requires skill, patience, and the right equipment. That’s where the Leica D-Lux 7 comes in. This camera is a work of art in its own right, and it’s been designed to cater to the needs of professional photographers. It boasts a long list of features that set it apart from other cameras in its class, and we’re going to highlight some of them in this review. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an aspiring photographer, read on to discover what makes the Leica D-Lux 7 the ultimate camera for photographers.

Leica D-Lux 7 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Leica D-Lux 7 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Great image quality
Wide aperture
Impressive low-light performance
4K video recording
Compact and lightweight design
Easy-to-use touchscreen display
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
Excellent build quality
Good battery life
Advanced features for experienced users

Cons

High price point
No interchangeable lenses
Limited zoom range
No built-in viewfinder
No weather sealing
Some menu options are difficult to navigate
Slow autofocus in low-light conditions
Limited accessory options
Limited dynamic range compared to some competitors
Small grip can make it difficult to hold and stabilize the camera

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Leica D-Lux 7

Weather sealed
Dimensions118 x 66 x 64mm
Weight403g
Thickness64mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Leica D-Lux 7 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution1,240k dots
Body typeLarge sensor compact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,240k dots. This makes the Leica D-Lux 7 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

D-Lux 7 includes a electronic viewfinder with 2,760k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.7x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Leica D-Lux 7 has a 17MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 17 pixels. Leica D-Lux 7 has a native ISO range of 200 - 25600 which can be boosted to 100 - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Nov 20 2018

Announced

200 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISO100 - null
Max resolution4736 x 3552 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Leica D-Lux 7 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the D-Lux 7 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Four Thirds

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Battery Life340 shots
Battery ModelDP-DC15
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Leica D-Lux 7 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Leica D-Lux 7 uses the DP-DC15 model of battery pack. This is rated for 340 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Leica D-Lux 7 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Leica D-Lux 7 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Leica D-Lux 7 includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 49 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Leica D-Lux 7?

The Leica D-Lux 7 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Leica D-Lux 7 weather sealed?

No the D-Lux 7 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Leica D-Lux 7 announced?

The Leica D-Lux 7 was announced on Nov 20 2018

Does the Leica D-Lux 7 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the D-Lux 7 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Leica D-Lux 7?

The D-Lux 7 has a native ISO range of 200-25600, which can be expanded to ISO 100-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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