Oh! Gizmo

By Tanya Palta

It?s raining cameras these days, but hey, being a first-class photography nut I am not complaining. The latest company to unleash a torrent of digital functions is Leica, with this 6 MP point and shoot: the Leica C-LUX 1.

Developed by Leica and Panasonic jointly, its features include a 28-102mm zoom lens, a high resolution 2.5-inch display and a 6MP sensor. The camera also sports an extremely chic design and has a basic outline of only 5 x 10 cm. The Leica C-LUX 1 also has a Venus image processor which results in sharp images even in low light conditions.

No word on availability or pricing, though you can come inside for a ton of specs.

VIA [Mobilewhack ]

Resolution In 4:3 format: either 2816 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 1280 x 960 or 640 x 480 pixels, 2816 x 2112 , 2048 x 1536 , 1600 x 1200 pixels
In Leica 3:2 format: either 2816 x 1880 or 2048 x 1360 pixels. In 16:9 format: either 2816 x 1584 or 1920 x 1080 pixels (corresponds to HDTV standard)

Video sequences In 16:9 format with 848 x 480, in 4:3 format with 640 x 480 or in 4:3 format with 320 x 240 pixels at either 30 fps or 10 fps, duration of recording only limited by the capacity of the memory card Recordings with sound

Data recording Data formats: Still pictures: JPEG (Fine/Standard) Video: QuickTime Motion JPEG

Storage media SD Memory Card and MultiMedia card (a 64 MB-SD card is supplied with the camera)

Film speed setting Either automatic or manual ISO 80, ISO 100, ISO 200 or ISO 400 (in high sensitivity mode 800 – 1600)

White balance Either automatic, for daylight, overcast sky, halogen light, two manual settings, fine adjustment of white balance in a range of ?1500 to +1500K in 150K steps (not available for automatic setting).

Lens LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT f/2.8-5.6/4.6-16.8 ASPH. (corresponds to 28 -102 mm in 35 mm format), 3.6x optical zoom. Change of focal length by conveniently located zoom lever

Optical image stabilizer 2 modes: either for exposure only or for exposure and monitor

Focus range Normal: 50cm ? infinity Macro/Simple/Motion Picture: wide-angle 5cm/telephoto 30cm infinity

Focusing Autofocus, either normal or macro Autofocus modes / measurement range: either 5 fields (full image area), faster autofocus with 3 fields (across the center) or with 1 central field, 1 field, or spot.

Exposure Exposure modes: either simple mode, normal image or macro Exposure metering: Multi-field measurement exposure bracketing: +/- 2 EV in 1/3 EV steps

Series exposures Either 3 fps or 2 fps at full resolution, max. 8 pictures with JPEG standard, max 6 pictures with JPEG fine

Shutter speed range In fully automatic mode: 8-1/2000 sec. Starry sky mode: 15, 30, 60 sec.

Flash Flash modes: 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. Flash range (ISO set at Auto): 0.6?4.0 m (wide-angle), 0.3?2.0 m (telephoto), in high-sensitivity mode: 0.8 ? 5.7m (wide-angle), 0.8 – 2.8m (telephoto), flash exposure bracketing: ?2 EV in 1/3 EV steps.

Scene modes Portrait, soft skin, landscape, sport, night portrait, night landscape, self-portrait, food, party, candlelight, fireworks, starry sky, snow, baby1, baby2, high sensitivity