Leica D-LUX 8 '100 Years of Leica' Edition

The Leica D-LUX 8 '100 Years of Leica' Edition is a limited-edition compact camera featuring a 17MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor, a Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens with a 24-90mm equivalent range and f/2.0-3.3 aperture, 4K/60fps video, an electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, a 3-inch 1,843,200-dot touchscreen, and built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — all in a 397-gram body inspired by the legendary Leica I from 1925.

Key Specifications

• Sensor: 17MP Four Thirds CMOS, ISO 100–25600, crop factor 2.0x
• Lens: Leica DC Vario-Summicron, 24-90mm equivalent, f/2.0–3.3 aperture
• Autofocus: 49-point AF system
• Burst shooting: Up to 11 fps continuous shooting
• Video: 4K UHD (3840×2160) at up to 60fps
• Viewfinder: Electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage
• Screen: 3-inch touchscreen, 1,843,200 pixels resolution
• Shutter: 60 seconds to 1/16,000s
• Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI, hot shoe (Leica TTL flash compatible)
• Storage: SD card, JPEG + RAW file formats
• Weight: 397g (body only)
• Anniversary design: Exclusive edition commemorating 100 years of Leica, inspired by the 1925 Leica I

What makes the Leica D-LUX 8 '100 Years' Edition special?

This isn't just a refresh with new branding — the '100 Years of Leica' Edition wraps a genuinely capable compact camera in one of the most striking anniversary designs the camera world has seen in years. The aesthetic is directly inspired by the original Leica I from 1925, making it a piece of photographic history you can actually shoot with.

On the technical side, the Leica DC Vario-Summicron 24-90mm equivalent lens with an f/2.0 maximum aperture is the headline feature. That bright start means noticeably better low-light performance and subject separation compared to slower compact zoom lenses, and the Summicron name carries serious optical heritage. The 1/16,000s maximum shutter speed — via electronic shutter — gives you real flexibility when shooting wide open in bright conditions.

The most commonly cited alternative is the Fujifilm X100VI, which offers a 40MP APS-C sensor and a fixed 35mm-equivalent lens. The X100VI has the edge in raw resolution and sensor size, but the D-LUX 8 counters with a zoom range (24-90mm equivalent) that makes it considerably more versatile for travel and street shooting. If you want a fixed-lens APS-C experience with film simulations, the Fujifilm is compelling. If you want zoom flexibility and that unmistakable Leica build in something coat-pocketable, the D-LUX 8 is a different kind of tool.

The Panasonic LX100 II is effectively the technical sibling of the D-LUX 8 — both share a Four Thirds sensor platform — but the Leica version brings its own lens tuning, firmware, interface, and of course the anniversary finish that the LX100 II simply cannot replicate. If you're considering the standard Leica D-LUX 7, the D-LUX 8 adds the significantly upgraded backscreen resolution (a 48% increase) and the 4K/60fps video capability, among other improvements.

Within the broader Leica lineup, the M11 and SL2 sit at a different level — interchangeable lens systems built for professionals who want maximum image quality. The D-LUX 8 occupies a different space: a single, always-ready compact that you actually carry everywhere, with Leica glass and Leica quality control baked in.

Who is the Leica D-LUX 8 '100 Years' Edition for?

This camera is built for photographers who want one pocketable camera that handles both street and travel shooting without compromise. At 397g with a 24-90mm equivalent zoom and a fast f/2.0 aperture, you have the focal range for wide environmental shots and enough reach to frame a face across a market square — all in a body that disappears into a jacket pocket.

Street photographers will appreciate the 11fps burst, the 100% EVF coverage for precise framing, and the discrete size that doesn't attract attention the way a DSLR does. The touchscreen makes quick focus point adjustments intuitive, and the hot shoe means you can add a small flash for indoor or night shooting.

Travelers get the 4K/60fps video alongside stills — genuinely useful when you don't want to carry a dedicated video camera. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity make transferring shots to your phone straightforward, without cables.

Collectors and enthusiasts drawn to camera history will find the '100 Years of Leica' anniversary design uniquely appealing. This edition is a conversation piece in a way that standard compact cameras simply aren't. If you're browsing the Leica compact camera category looking for something you'll want to keep shooting with for years — and pass on to someone who'll appreciate it — this is that camera.

It's less ideal for wildlife or sports photographers who need long telephoto reach or a larger sensor for extreme crop latitude. And if your priority is maximum per-pixel sharpness on a budget, the Four Thirds sensor will show its limits compared to APS-C or full-frame alternatives at high ISO. But for everyday carry, street, and travel? It's hard to fault the combination of optics, size, and identity.

Buying a used Leica D-LUX 8 '100 Years' Edition

Buying a pre-owned D-LUX 8 makes a lot of sense — Leica builds these cameras to last, and a well-cared-for unit will perform identically to a new one. That said, there are a few things worth checking before you buy.

Start with the lens. The Leica DC Vario-Summicron is fixed to the body, so inspect it carefully for dust, fungus, or scratches on the front and rear elements. Minor dust is almost always inconsequential in real-world shots, but fungus is not — it spreads and degrades image quality permanently. A quick zoom test across the 3.1x range will confirm the mechanism is smooth without binding or play.

Check the touchscreen for dead pixels and scratches, and cycle through the EVF to confirm it displays cleanly. The USB-C port and HDMI port are worth wiggling gently — loose ports on compact cameras can be a sign of a drop or heavy use. The hot shoe contact pins should be clean and undamaged if you plan to use flash.

On Camera-tweedehands.nl, every used Leica D-LUX 8 is individually photographed and professionally inspected before listing. You get a minimum 12 months warranty as standard, and 14-day returns. The actual warranty period is shown on the individual variant listing, so check there for your specific item.

Given the limited-edition nature of this '100 Years' model, buying second-hand is also often the only way to get one at all — production runs for anniversary editions don't continue indefinitely, and the used market is where these cameras live on.