The website Popular Photography has reviewed the new Leica C-Lux 1 , a product from the joint collaboration between Leica and Panasonic. The L1 sports a trendy design and is tailor made for small and uncomplicated photography. The overall fit is pretty good, however a lack of Aperture or Shutter Priority mode, no zoom feature in movie mode and the high price are definitely some of the drawbacks.

The Leica C-Lux 1 is a 6 mega pixel, 28-102mm zoom digital camera whose focal length would be equivalent to a 28-102 mm in the 35 mm format. It features a High resolution 2.5-inch display and can record movie clips at either 30 fps or 10 fps in 16:9 format with 848 x 480, 4:3 format with 640 x 480 or in 4:3 format with 320 x 240 pixels. Memory can be extended via a SD card and Scene Modes include portrait, soft skin, landscape, sport, night portrait, night landscape, self-portrait, food, party, candlelight, fireworks, starry sky, snowed and Flash Modes include either automatic flash on with or without pre-flash (to combat red-eye), manual flash on (fill-in flash) with or without pre-flash, SLOW for slower shutter speeds (with pre-flash), flash off.

Finally the review ends by concluding “As the first of its class camera wearing the Leica Badge, this camera has instant collectible status. Those who are looking for a truly pocketable camera bearing the red dot should be quite pleased with this camera's looks, feel and performance. While the Leica C-Lux 1 is priced higher than many of its classmates–including its fraternal twin, the Panasonic DMC-FX01, which shares the same optics, sensor and most features but lists for almost $200 less. Yes, you can find an ultra-compact digital camera that offers similar performance for less. But then, you won't have the Leica badge.”