The 2nd gen stylish com-digi C-LUX2
A review and Photo example of the LEICA C-LUX 2.
Table of contents
Gallery
Review
1．Overview
The C-LUX 2 is a compact digital camera released by Leica under the OEM agreement with Panasonic.
The original camera was the LUMIX DMC-FX30.
Detailed specifications of the camera are listed in the table below, but the main specifications are as follows:
- The image sensor has 7.2 megapixels.
- The lens is the Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens carried over from the C-LUX1.
- 6 groups, 7 elements (4 aspherical lenses).
- Built-in optical image stabilization (Mega-OIS).
- Focal length f=4.6-16.8mm / F2.8 (wide end) – F5.6 (telephoto end).
- 27MB of built-in memory for shooting.
- Battery is BP-DC6.
- Body colors are black and silver.
2．Usability
The C-LUX2 was released in 2007, so it probably falls into the category of old compact digital cameras. The black version I own has a matte black color with a calm color scheme.
The DMC-FX30 is also a stylish camera, but the Leica version has a good design that emphasizes simplicity even more.
It has the same lens as the C-LUX1, so barrel distortion is noticeable when shooting a grid-like object at the wide-angle end, depending on the shooting distance. The number of pixels on the image sensor has increased by about 20% from 6 million pixels on the C-LUX1 to 7.2 million pixels, but there is almost no difference in the shooting results.
Recording is only in JPEG, so Raw shooting is not possible, and the sensor size is small at 1/2.5, so you cannot expect high ISO image quality in dark places. It is an old-fashioned digital camera where noise appears at ISO 800.
The file size of one image is about 1.5 to 4 MB, and if you use a 32GB SDHC, the shot counter will exceed 1000 shots, so you can take almost infinite shots. The camera has 27MB of built-in memory for shooting, and can take about 10 shots in Fine mode.
The shutter response is that after about 3 shots, the camera waits for the next shot to be written. Continuous shooting is not possible, but it is not designed for continuous shooting, so photographers should keep this in mind.
The battery is the BP-DC6, which is the same model number for the C-LUX2 and C-LUX3, but it is important to note that the model number is different from that of the C-LUX1.
Compatible batteries include the Panasonic DMW-BCE10E and Ricoh DB-70, which seem to be compatible in terms of shape and voltage. We do not recommend using compatible batteries, and if you do use them, you do so at your own risk.
The memory card slot of this camera has a problem where the lock tab of the SD card can get caught in the card slot. If this happens, the SD card cannot be removed. In that case, you cannot remove it by just twisting it with force, so fold a thin, strong piece of paper into an L or U shape and insert it into the gap between the card slot and the SD card lock, covering the lock tab with the paper, and you can remove it safely. I also encountered this problem with the C-LUX3. It seems that all Panasonic digital cameras from this era have this problem.
I disassembled the camera to remove the card, but the SD card slot was an integrated unit, so I was unable to remove the card by simply disassembling the camera. I think that the most effective way to remove the card is to clamp the card in the gap mentioned above.
The lock tab of the SD card used in this camera is covered with thin, strong mending tape to prevent it from getting caught.
3．Summary
It offers a focal length of 28mm wide-angle to 102mm, which is sufficient for everyday use.
The camera is also 22mm thick, so it fits easily in your pocket and is very portable.
As with all Leica compact digital cameras, the inside is an OEM Panasonic product.
The C-LUX2 is a different design from the LUMIX DMC-FX30, so it’s important to consider whether the red Leica badge makes it worth the price and whether you’ll be satisfied with owning it. If you’re only looking for functionality, a cheap Panasonic would be enough.
I own the black model, and this matte black satisfies my desire to own it.
The problem is that it’s sad when the camera gets scratched while I’m using it. There’s no point in leaving it as a paperweight without taking it out, so I use it even though it’s scratched.
Specifications and series camera comparison
| Model name | C-LUX 1 | C-LUX 2 | C-LUX 3 |
| focal length | 28-102 | 28-102 | 25-125 |
| Pixels | 6.37 | 7.2 | 10.1 |
| Sensor | 1/2.5 | 1/2.5 | 1/2.33 |
| Finder | none | none | none |
| Back LCD | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Battery | BP-DC4 | BP-DC6 | BP-DC6 |
| Memory-card | SD | SDHC | SDHC |
| Release year | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| Colorカラー | Silver Black | White Black | White Black |
| OEM Model | DMC-FX01 | DMC-FX30 | DMC-FX37 |
Option
- leather case
Reference links
Update history
- 2025.3.14
- 2024.07.25
- 2024.04.04
- 2023.05.18
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