Since then, no camera in the world has been more widely acclaimed for continuously meeting the highest standards of excellence in both optical precision and design quality.
Notably, many internationally acclaimed photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Sebastião Salgado have used Leica cameras throughout their careers. We think you'll find that Leica compact cameras maintain the same integrity as the M and R models used by the pros, but at more affordable prices. The lenses in all Leica 35mm cameras are still designed by the Leica optical department in Solms, Germany. Every compact camera is also tested for quality in Germany before being released. When you choose Leica, you are buying into one of the great traditions in the history of photography.
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Product Reviews:

   
Old school cool, August 22, 2001
Reviewer: Eugene Wei "eugene"

I own a Nikon SLR as my primary camera. After having traveled with it around the world, I realized I wanted a smaller point and shoot for those times when I wanted to travel light or when it wasn't practical or convenient to lug around my big Nikon with its heavy lenses. But I also didn't want to sacrifice picture quality--my primary focus was lens and photo quality and not gimmicks, zoom range, camera body design, or consumer convenience features like APS.
The Leica fits the bill. The look and feel of the camera is old school, with a heavy, titanium, tank-like body. While I really don't care what my cameras look like, I find the classic look of the camera to be a refreshing change from the high tech polished metal look of most point and shoots on the market. No zoom lens--just a high quality, super fast f2.4 40mm Summarit lens. No frills, but all the essential, basic features are there: aperture priority, auto or manual focus, flash, red eye, timer. My first several batches of shots have turned out fabulous.

Yes, you will have to move your feet to frame shots correctly and you'll miss out on some shots that only a zoom lens can get you, but the shots you do get will be top notch. This is not the camera for you if you like to stand in one place, use your zoom lens to frame shots, and count on all the automatic settings to pick everything for you. The camera allows you to set it for autofocus and autoexposure, but photographers who like to go manual will have a lot more fun with it.

I ding the product one star for a few minor reasons. It is indeed heavy and somewhat bulky, so it won't fit in just any pocket. Second, the red eye feature confuses just about everybody--there's a long delay between the first and second flash, and I've found that no matter how much you warn your subjects, they'll still assume the first flash is the one and start moving. I don't shoot that many straight on portraits in dark lighting, but when I have I've lost a few shots to this. Third, it's not always clear that a shot has been taken, and when I loan the camera to folks to take a shot for me I often get two or three shots back because they held the shutter release down too long. Lastly, the camera is fairly pricey for a point and shoot.

But quality costs. And if you know what you're doing with a camera, want to learn what to do with a camera, and/or demand top-notch optics in a point and shoot, this is your baby.
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can i give this camera six stars?, November 4, 2000
Reviewer: Witold Riedel

Other point and shoot cameras might look sleeker at first. They have more buttons you can press, and might have some special function that makes them especially desirable. (Rarely the ability to take great pictures though, it seems) The minilux follows a simple philosophy: create a camera does not look intrusive and takes the best pictures possible. Leicas have been the favorites of photographers worldwide, since Oskar Barnack decided that maybe taking pictures on 35mm film would make photography more portable and more spontaneous, thus inventing, the ur-leitz-camera, lei-ca. Documentary-style photography was born. Take a look at books with photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson or Alfred Eisenstaedt. The most important part of ANY camera is the lens. The Leica Summarit 2.4/40 lens on the minilux is excellent. It is very fast (bright) 2.4(!) so you will find yourself taking more natural looking pictures without a flash more often. (Also remember: zoom lenses can never be as bright and as sharp as this lens.) The camera has a light meter built in, so before you shoot, you can find out what might be the appropriate settings for the particular light environment. It is up to you to decide if you would like to overwrite these settings by changing the aperture. (From 2.4! to 16) Measure again, and you will know if your new aperture setting makes sense. If it is too dark, the camera will automatically turn on the back lighting on the display and charge the flash for you. Just in case you would like to take a picture right away. The camera is full of great, very positive surprises. Even the holding strap has the perfect length, so you can shoot spontaneous, yet perfectly sharp snapshots right out of the palm of your hand. The active auto-focus works great under any light conditions. If you do not want to use the auto-focus, you can always overwrite it. The camera just takes great pictures.
This camera is a perfect gift, for yourself or for somebody you care about. It might change the way you see things. It might make you appreciate every day a little more. It worked for me. Really.
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 Excellent P&S Camera, December 10, 2003
Reviewer: A customer

This P&S Camera is truly exceptional. The camera and its titanium shell feel rock solid; the lens is top notch; and the image quality is excellent. Mind you, it will not replace your high end SLR, but if you want to travel light, and not compromise on image quality, then this is the camera for you.
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Reliability, June 11, 2002
Reviewer: Donald Phillips

Initially there was a problem with the on/off switch which caused the shutter release to operate inconsistently. After repair by Leica the camera operates superbly. Lens is super sharp.

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