Leica D-Lux 5

The Leica D-Lux 5 is an expensive compact digital camera that reviewers say is a good choice for enthusiasts and serious photographers who don't mind paying more for the Leica brand. The 10.1-megapixel camera includes a 3.8x optical zoom and plenty of manual controls to suit discerning photographers. The Leica D-Lux 5 performs very well in low light, keeping noise to a minimum up through ISO 1600. The menu system is relatively easy to navigate, and video quality is impressive as well.

Leica brand comes at a premium

The biggest downside, according to reviews, is the Leica's price, which starts higher than many entry-level DSLRs. However, the camera does come with Adobe Lightroom software, which costs several hundred dollars on its own. This helps ease the sting a bit, according to most reviewers. In addition, many reviewers wish the Leica D-Lux 5 came with a viewfinder. If you aren't particularly wedded to the Leica brand, the Canon PowerShot S100 (*Est. $400) gets the best reviews among compact digital cameras.

The bottom line

If you like Leica, then the D-Lux 5 is worth a look. The $800 pricetag includes a fine camera as well as Adobe Lightroom software. If you're not brand loyal (or already have the software), there are better, cheaper options, such as the Canon PowerShot S100 (*Est. $400). The best reviews of the Leica D-Lux 5 come from PhotographyBlog.com, PCMag.com and CNET UK. These sources conduct exhaustive testing and conclude their reviews with a rating and bottom-line conclusion. We also found a good number of user reviews at Amazon.com.