Leica D-LUX 4 ordered

After a one-week struggling in making the decision between Leica D-LUX 4 and Panasonic DMC-LX3, I ordered the Leica beauty at lunch time today.

Now I am crossing my fingers waiting for her coming next week. :-))

According to Leica, Leica D-LUX 4 is the first digital Leica compact camera with system character, and it was officially recognised as the "the son of M8", the flagship model of Leica Rangefinder systems.

Leica D-LUX 4 has a partnership sister, Panasonic DMC-LX3, which is considered as a complete identical of D-LUX 4 in functionality and image quality, but Leica's price doubles. Both models are made by Panasonic in Japan. So why did I order such an expensive D-LUX 4?

Well, actually there are a lot of such debates on the net, and I won't spark one more. I just explain my considerations below, basically and briefly.

Main considerations:

1. Leica style body design, simple and professional, without the useless handle and ugly logos on DMC-LX3.


2. This deal offers a free Leica leather case, which is worth about $150 USD.


3. The international warranty on the Leica D-LUX 4 is for three years, while only one year nationwide for LX3.


4. The RAW format of D-LUX 4 has better compatibility than the proprietary format of Panasonic.

Minor considerations:

1. The Red Dot of Leica. :-))


2. Professional RAW software Capture One for D-LUX 4. SilkyPix for its Japanese sister.


3. Leica level of build quality, though the D-LUX 4 is actually made by Panasonic.


4. Leica controls the firmware of D-LUX 4, which is expected to be upgraded for better quality for Leica style image.


5. Better resale value.

Nokia 6131 in water

I eventually found my Nokia 6131 yesterday, from the washing machine, at the bottom of the drum, after I collected all the clothes washed. :-((

Now, the mobile has gone back into the water again. In the next few days, the water will be its home. :-)) Like its little brother, my bluetooth headset, a bowl of clean water is the place to go after having a shower in the washing machine. :-))


My bluetooth headset experienced the same kind of incident six months ago, but it works quite well now. I am not sure if this Nokia can be back again. Just give it a try.

To see the photos taken by this Nokia 6131, just click the label below.

Little girl photo by Nokia 6131

One more photo by Nokia 6131. The photo was taken in Sydney in Oct 2007, and was edited by Microsoft Photo Editor 3.01 for removing background, cropping, and applying watercolour effect. The cute little girl is a Chinese-Belgian mixed.

Sydney photos by Nokia 6131

Here are two more photos taken by Nokia 6131 when I was in a building at Blue St, North Sydney in 2007. Nokia 6131 has a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera with 8x digital zoom (1280 x 960 pixel resolution). Click the picture at right to see the large Google Earth image giving where I was when taking the photos.

2008 Australian International Motor Show

Some pictures I took at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show at Darling Harbour, Sydney on 18 Oct 2008. All pictures were taken by Nokia 6131.

An old man performing at Chinatown

An old gentleman performing
at the intersection of Gouburn St and Sussex St, Chinatown, Sydney
Canon IXUS 50, F/2.8, 1/3 sec, 5.8 mm, ISO 50, Pattern Mode, 20:21 24 July 2008

King Street at night

The Grace Hotel
77-79 York St, Sydney, NSW
Canon IXUS 50, F/2.8, 1 sec, 5.8 mm, ISO 50, Pattern Mode, +1/3, 21:23 10 July 2008

The intersection of King St and Pitt St, Sydney, NSW
Canon IXUS 50, F/2.8, 1 sec, 5.8 mm, ISO 50, Pattern Mode, +1, 10:09 10 July 2008