Leica Digilux 3 Review: A Professional Camera for Stunning Photography

The Leica Digilux 3 is a high-performance camera that caters to the needs of professional photographers. With its advanced features and superior image quality, it is the perfect choice for capturing stunning photographs. Read on to learn more about this exceptional camera and why it deserves a spot in your photography gear.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Leica Digilux 3 article cover photo

Key Features

Sep 14 2006

Announced

7 megapixels

Resolution

BrandLeica
Sensor TypeFour Thirds
SensorCMOS
Weight606g
MSRP$1799USD

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Overview of the Digilux 3

Are you a professional photographer in search of a camera that can deliver outstanding image quality and advanced features? Look no further than the Leica Digilux 3. This powerhouse of a camera boasts a range of features, including a high-quality lens, fast autofocus, and accurate exposure control. But that's not all - the Leica Digilux 3 is also stylish and comfortable to use, making it the perfect tool for long photography sessions. Whether you're shooting landscapes, portraits, or action shots, this camera is designed to perform in any situation. So what makes the Leica Digilux 3 so special? Let's dive in and explore the features that make this camera a must-have for professional photographers.

Leica Digilux 3 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Leica Digilux 3 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

High-quality images
Great color rendition
Leica lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Image stabilization
Full manual controls
Fast autofocus
High resolution (10.4 MP)

Cons

Expensive
Heavy and bulky
Limited ISO range
Small LCD screen
No video recording
Slow continuous shooting mode
No built-in flash
No live view mode

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Leica Digilux 3

Weather sealed
Dimensions146 x 87 x 77mm
Weight606g
Thickness77mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
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Max

Weather Sealing

The Leica Digilux 3 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 FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution207k dots
Body typeMid-size SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 2.50" screen, with a display resolution of 207k dots. This makes the Leica Digilux 3 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

Digilux 3 includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.47x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Leica Digilux 3 has a 7MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 7 pixels. Leica Digilux 3 has a native ISO range of 100 - 1600 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Sep 14 2006

Announced

100 - 1600

ISO Range

SensorFour Thirds
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3136 x 2352 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 Digilux 3 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 Digilux 3 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/MMC card
Battery Life
Battery Model
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Leica Digilux 3 supports SD/MMC card 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 Digilux 3 uses the undefined model of undefined. This is rated for undefined 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 Digilux 3 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Leica Digilux 3 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, 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 Digilux 3 includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 3 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 Digilux 3?

The Leica Digilux 3 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Leica Digilux 3 weather sealed?

No the Digilux 3 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Leica Digilux 3 announced?

The Leica Digilux 3 was announced on Sep 14 2006

Does the Leica Digilux 3 have in-body image stabilization?

No the Digilux 3 does not 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 Digilux 3?

The Digilux 3 has a native ISO range of 100-1600, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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