A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Leica Digilux 3 vs Panasonic L10

The Leica Digilux 3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in September 2006 and August 2007. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 7.4 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Leica Digilux 3
versus
Panasonic L10
Leica Digilux 3   Panasonic L10
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Four Thirds lenses Four Thirds lenses
7.4 MP – Four Thirds sensor 10 MP – Four Thirds sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 100-1,600 ISO 100-1,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 207k dots 2.5" LCD – 207k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
750 shots per battery charge450 shots per battery charge
146 x 87 x 77 mm, 606 g 135 x 96 x 78 mm, 556 g
logo
Check Digilux 3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check L10 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica Digilux 3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica Digilux 3 and the Panasonic L10 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica Digilux 3 vs Panasonic L10
Compare Digilux 3 versus L10 top
Comparison Digilux 3 or L10 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic L10 is somewhat larger (2 percent) than the Leica Digilux 3. However, the L10 is markedly lighter (8 percent) than the Digilux 3. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the Digilux 3 nor the L10 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. In this particular case, both cameras feature the same lens mount, so that they can use the same lenses. You can compare the optics available in the Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3 146 mm 87 mm 77 mm 606 g 750 n Sep 2006 US$ 1 499ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic L10 135 mm 96 mm 78 mm 556 g 450 n Aug 2007 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 US$ 1 399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon XT 127 mm 94 mm 64 mm 540 g 400 n Feb 2005 US$ 899ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M8 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 591 g 550 n Sep 2006 US$ 5 499ebay.com
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 1 141 mm 86 mm 142 mm 734 g 360 n Sep 2006 US$ 849ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-30 142 mm 108 mm 75 mm 701 g 750 n Nov 2008 US$ 1 299ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-300 147 mm 85 mm 64 mm 624 g 750 n Sep 2004 US$ 799ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-330 140 mm 87 mm 72 mm 637 g 750 n Jan 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-410 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Mar 2007 US$ 699ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 US$ 599ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-500 130 mm 95 mm 66 mm 479 g 750 n Sep 2005 US$ 599ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-520 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 535 g 750 n May 2008 US$ 699ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G10 124 mm 84 mm 74 mm 388 g 380 n Mar 2010 US$ 499ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic L1 146 mm 87 mm 64 mm 606 g 750 n Feb 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The L10 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 60 percent) than the Digilux 3, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a Four Thirds sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Leica Digilux 3 and Panasonic L10 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the L10 offers a higher resolution of 10 megapixels, compared with 7.4 MP of the Digilux 3. This megapixels advantage translates into a 16 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the L10 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.74μm versus 5.51μm for the Digilux 3). However, it should be noted that the L10 is a somewhat more recent model (by 11 months) than the Digilux 3, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic L10 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the L10 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica Digilux 3 are 15.7 x 11.8 inches or 39.8 x 29.9 cm for good quality, 12.5 x 9.4 inches or 31.9 x 23.9 cm for very good quality, and 10.5 x 7.8 inches or 26.6 x 19.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica Digilux 3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Digilux 3 versus L10 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none21.010.612753
2.
 
Panasonic L10 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.310.842955
3.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
4.
 
Canon XT APS-C 8.0 3456 2304none21.810.863760
5.
 
Leica M8 APS-H 10.4 3936 2630none21.111.366359
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 1 1/1.8 10.0 3648 2736480/30p18.49.5-72729
7.
 
Olympus E-30 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.453055
8.
 
Olympus E-300 Four Thirds 8.0 3264 2448none20.410.1-4048
9.
 
Olympus E-330 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.47352
10.
 
Olympus E-410 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.110.049451
11.
 
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.452756
12.
 
Olympus E-500 Four Thirds 8.0 3264 2448none20.710.34551
13.
 
Olympus E-520 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.410.454855
14.
 
Panasonic G10 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 3000720/30p21.210.141152
15.
 
Panasonic L1 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.48052
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
Both the Digilux 3 and the L10 offer Live View, so that they make it possible to use the rear screen for framing. Both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The Digilux 3 and the L10 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the Digilux 3 has a higher magnification than the one of the L10 (0.47x vs 0.46x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica Digilux 3 and Panasonic L10 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

scroll hint
Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3optical n2.5 / 207 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Panasonic L10optical n2.5 / 207 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon XToptical n1.8 / 115 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Leica M8optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 2.0/s n n
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 1235 n2.0 / 207 tilting n 1/2000s 2.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Olympus E-30optical Y2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Olympus E-300optical n1.8 / 134 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
9.
 
Olympus E-330optical n2.5 / 215 tilting n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Olympus E-410optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
11.
 
Olympus E-420optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
12.
 
Olympus E-500optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
13.
 
Olympus E-520optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y Y
14.
 
Panasonic G10202 n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.6/s Y n
15.
 
Panasonic L1optical n2.5 / 207 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
The L10 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the Digilux 3 does not have a selfie-screen.

The Digilux 3 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the L10 uses SDHC cards.

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica Digilux 3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3Ystereo / mono---2.0---
2.
 
Panasonic L10Y- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
4.
 
Canon XTY- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Leica M8Y- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 1Ymono / mono---2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-30Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-300Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Olympus E-330Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Olympus E-410Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Olympus E-420Y- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Olympus E-500Y- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Olympus E-520Y- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Panasonic G10Ymono / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Panasonic L1Y- / ----2.0---

Both the Digilux 3 and the L10 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Leica and Panasonic. Further information on the features and operation of the Digilux 3 and L10 can be found, respectively, in the Leica Digilux 3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic L10 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica Digilux 3 and the Panasonic L10? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

ilogo

Reasons to prefer the Leica Digilux 3:

  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.47x vs 0.46x).
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (750 versus 450) on a single battery charge.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2006).

ilogo

Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DMC- L10:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (10 vs 7.4MP), which boosts linear resolution by 16%.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (60 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (11 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the L10 comes out slightly ahead of the Digilux 3 (5 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

Digilux 3 04:05 L10

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica Digilux 3 and the Panasonic L10 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Digilux 3 or the L10. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3............ Sep 2006 US$ 1 499ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic L10..85/100..+3.5/54/5 Aug 2007 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 US$ 1 399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon XT..80/100..+ +o.. Feb 2005 US$ 899ebay.com
5.
 
Leica M8......+ +.... Sep 2006 US$ 5 499ebay.com
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 1............ Sep 2006 US$ 849ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-30......71/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2008 US$ 1 299ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-300......+o4.5/5 Sep 2004 US$ 799ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-330......+o.. Jan 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-410..86/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2007 US$ 699ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-420..85/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2008 US$ 599ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-500..76/100..+ +.... Sep 2005 US$ 599ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-520..87/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 May 2008 US$ 699ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G103/5....70/1004/54/5 Mar 2010 US$ 499ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic L1..85/100..+..3.5/5 Feb 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

logo
Check Digilux 3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check L10 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Leica Digilux 3 vs Panasonic L10

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica Digilux 3 Panasonic L10
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Four Thirds lenses Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date September 2006 August 2007
    Launch Price USD 1,499 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Leica Digilux 3 Panasonic L10
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 7.4 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3136 x 2352 pixels 3648 x 2736 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.51 μm 4.74 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 4.44 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 55
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 21.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 10.8
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 429
    Screen Specs Leica Digilux 3 Panasonic L10
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.47x 0.46x
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 2.5inch
    LCD Resolution 207k dots 207k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Swivel screen
    Shooting Specs Leica Digilux 3 Panasonic L10
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Leica Digilux 3 Panasonic L10
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Leica Digilux 3 Panasonic L10
    Battery Type Leica BP-DC3 Panasonic DMW-BLA13
    Battery Life (CIPA)750 shots per charge450 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77 mm
    (5.7 x 3.4 x 3.0 in)
    135 x 96 x 78 mm
    (5.3 x 3.8 x 3.1 in)
    Camera Weight 606 g (21.4 oz) 556 g (19.6 oz)
    logo
    Check Digilux 3 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check L10 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Leica Digilux 3 vs Panasonic L10