Leica V-LUX 2 review

The Leica V-Lux 2: A versatile superzoom with impressive specs

Leica’s V-LUX 2 has a recognisable look to it, as if it’s been seen before… and this is because it has. Nearly identical to the Panasonic FZ100, on first appearance the V-LUX 2 only has a different badge and a few small cosmetic changes. The controls are the same, the body on the back is near identical and the lens is the same. The Panasonic is considerably less in retail value at £449 over the Leica’s £675, so why would you choose this model over the Panasonic?

The Leica badge plays a big part in this decision, and for good reason. Leica is the Rolls Royce of the camera industry, and if you want one you can’t expect to get it for nothing. It is important to note that the Leica V-LUX 2 does include a few extras – it’s supplied with Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8, which is handy for video editing. It also boasts the benefit of having Leica’s care with a two-year warranty and one-year Leica Passport (accidental damage cover) and lens hood. For those wanting all the latest accessories to accompany this product, a special Leica bag can be purchased for an additional £135.

Superzoom models will not appeal to everyone, and for starters the Leica V-LUX 2 is not going to replace a professional or enthusiast’s DSLR. This will simply be a back-up camera for out in the field, or could come in handy if you are travelling and don’t want to take a large DSLR out with you.

If you’ve ever held a Leica model in your hands, then you’ll know the feeling of quality that is unique to this brand. Unfortunately, the V-LUX 2 doesn’t promote the same excitement. The body doesn’t resemble a traditional- looking Leica, and the weight is considerably less. It has a plasticy finish and the buttons are small in size; those with larger-sized fingers will especially struggle with the control panel on the back of the camera. On the plus side, the Leica V-LUX 2 is easy to use and the menu systems are clear to navigate. The top Mode dial is where every needed feature can be sourced, including the full manual controls, custom settings, scene modes and Movie mode. The Leica V-LUX 2 is capable of recording full HD video at 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60i or at a fast 320 x 240, 220fps if you reduce the quality right down to the lowest setting.

Feature-wise, this superzoom is packed with many that will especially appeal to the amateur photographer. The LCD screen is one such feature – situated on a rotating hinge, the screen makes it ideal for creative shooting from awkward angles and filming movies. The Leica V-LUX 2 does have the option of switching to an electronic viewfinder, and a button for doing this is positioned next to the viewfinder. The electronic viewfinder has a manual focus to adjust it to your vision, however the screen is very small and the quality is considerably less when compared with images viewed on the LCD screen.

The images produced by the Leica V-LUX 2 are delivered to a beyond satisfactory performance, although it did struggle in some circumstances. The colour balance in the images appears to be well balanced, however in low light the cool tones did begin to show through. Low light proves to be one of the V-LUX 2’s biggest problems when it comes to image quality, and there is only so far this model can be pushed. Beyond ISO 400 the results begin to deteriorate quickly and with each ISO stop the noise increases considerably, especially in the dark areas.

When it came to metering, the V-LUX 2 gave an average performance. It appears the Leica is not capable of detecting a huge dynamic range between the highlights and the shadows, and to get the best results the Exposure Compensation button needs to be used. Often highlights were blown if there were large areas of shadows present in the image, although some give and take needs to be considered here, as the V-LUX 2 is a superzoom model.

One of the Leica V-LUX 2’s biggest-selling features is its 24x optical zoom, which is quick to respond and is certainly useful for getting in on the action. The control for the zoom encases the shutter release, and worryingly this setup feels a little tacky in the finish. After regular use this could be a weak component in the design, though the camera’s two-year guarantee provides a safety net for such problems. When it comes to focusing at full zoom and the widest angle, the AF system is quick in its response time and the V-LUX 2 is even capable of a manual focus for those who desire to use it. This feature can be easily sourced on the lens.

One problem with the V-LUX 2 that is irritatingly unavoidable is that the lens hood can be spotted in the corners of an image when it has been taken at the widest angle. After tweaking, adjusting and trying just about everything to avoid this problem, we found that there was nothing that could be done.

The Leica V-LUX 2’s price tag of £675 is a lot of money to fork out for all that it offers, and the similar Panasonic version is a lot cheaper. However, those who are desperate to join the elite club of Leica users may be tempted to opt for its ‘budget’ model. All things considered, Leica should really stick to what it’s good at – high-quality, expensive cameras that are built to its high standards. The V-LUX 2 is too common for a Leica and although it cannot be faulted on all aspects, it is not a camera that is anything extraordinary.