I have been lusting after this handsome retro looking Leica for the past few months, patiently waiting for it to become available. While this Leica D-Lux 3 is still categorized as a Ultra-Compact Camera, it is a big step up in size comparing to the SONY T7 I currently own.

Although I’ve never owned a Leica, it is definitely a familiar name to me. Leica, the grandfather of camera-makers, was the first to introduce a practical 35mm camera, aspheric, multicoated, and rare earth lenses and among many other innovations. Leica’s statement “lifetime investment in perfect photography” proven to be true, attested by its first original M3 (1954) camera, which is still being manufactured and still being regularly used by photography aficionados world-wide today! Known for its exceptional lenses, and simple yet functional design, it is said that photographs taken with Leica lenses were distinguishable from photographs taken with other lenses, go ahead and argue on this…

I have the habit to carry my camera around with me everywhere I go, literally. My T7 is so compact, I have it stored along with my mouse, iPod and other electronic goodies in my laptop bag. While the D-Lux 3 is much smaller than any SLR, it is still massive next to the T7. So why, you might ask, am I opting for a bulkier camera, not to mention a very expensive Point-n-Shooter?

I love the look of D-Lux 3. Call me superficial, or whatever vocabulary you can think of, but it is all about the looks to me. D-Lux 3 is simple in design, handsome in styling, it is just eye-catching!

I love the specs of D-Lux 3. Not all mega-pixels are created equal! The size of the sensor used in today’s digital cameras can be as small as your pinky-fingernail or as big as a stamp for the same mega-pixel count. The aspect ratio of the CCD sensor used on this camera is 1.65! Its 10 mega-pixel CCD captures the picture in native 16:9 format, with max resolution of 4224x2376 and features ISO as fast as 1600. The camera is highly flexible and offers abundant manual adjustments. So it is perfect for someone like me, who doesn’t know a whole lot about photography but is not afraid to divert away from all the automatic options.

Although I carry my T7 everywhere I go, I am finding myself less and less likely to take it out and use it. The flat, noisy pictures the T7 is only making me not even want to bother with it. Now, the Leica, can not to get my hands on it, point and shoot…