Leica Gives Camera Enthusiasts a Reason to Celebrate in Digital Style

February 25 – 27, 2002 –Leica debuts the long awaited, four megapixel CCD Digilux 1 camera. This year’s PMA marks the unveiling of the Leica digital cameras and the result of decades of experience and technological cooperation with Panasonic. The compact Leica Digilux 1 is the culmination of familiar Leica styling and function with the advantages of today’s digital technology—making the Leica Diglux 1 an ideal choice for new digital camera users and digital enthusiasts alike.Leica Camera is world-renowned for its outstanding ability to offer extraordinary creative possibilities through optical excellence. In the hand, the Digilux 1 feels like a classic Leica camera. Its robust yet very lightweight die-cast magnesium body and classic operating elements accentuate its timeless styling and bridge the gap between traditional analog and digital photography as never before. Photographers of all skill and experience levels will feel comfortable with its traditional levers, knobs and manual-focusing ring, all of which are reminiscent of Leica’s legendary screw-mount cameras.

Fully-Featured
Leica’s Digilux 1 stands apart from the crowd with an unusually large 2.5-inch TFT LCD monitor display (2.5”) with 205,000 pixels and optical viewfinder with diopter correction allowing the user to see what the image will look like before and after the shot. The focusing hood further enhances the Digilux 1’s versatility and portability, as it allows the user to shoot with confidence in any conditions, including bright sunlight. Creative freedom is encouraged with numerous manual-setting choices.

Classic Leica exposure modes include fully automatic, programmed automatic, manual, shutter speed priority and aperture priority. Optional TIFF format gives the user the highest image quality without compression losses.

The exposure control and metering have been adapted from classic analog photography. A high-speed 7 – 21mm f2 – 2.5 Leica DC Vario-Summicron aspherical lens with 3x optical zoom delivers outstanding results and sharp images with natural color rendition and impressive dynamics.

Flexibility and Independence
Digilux 1 comes with a motion image-recording feature which enables recording sequences up to 6 minutes with the high capacity 64 MB SD memory card that can store 32 high- resolution images and up to 484 images at the lowest resolution. The Digilux 1’s lithium ion battery allows for approximately two hours of operation with the LCD display, and up to three hours of operation without. Adding to the camera’s unprecedented portability is the standard charger that comes with the Digilux 1. Digilux photographers can be independent and mobile at all times with the battery charger (AC Adapter) which can be connected to an electrical outlet, enabling the Leica Digilux 1 to achieve full readiness in just about two hours.

A Perfect Outdoor Companion
The great outdoors and the Leica Digilux 1 are perfect companions on a variety of levels. The camera’s 7-21mm f/2-2.5 Leica DC-Vario Summicron ASPH lens, equivalent to a 33-100mm on a 35mm camera, offers high speed and good wide-angle-to-portrait range. Its 60mm macro mode is ideal for capturing insects, seashells and other small objects up close. The focusing hood prevents stray light from entering the lens. A built-in flash reduces red-eye, and an optional external flash makes low-light or indoor photography a breeze.

For long-range outdoor photography, one can attach the Digilux 1 via a digital adapter to a Leica Televid 77 spotting scope. Photojournalists and sports photographers will appreciate the Diglux 1’s exceptionally short exposure delay and fast storing time: sequences of up to eight pictures at a rate of four images per second. Furthermore, the four megapixel CCD provides high resolution for prints, which makes them comparable to those from a fine 35mm camera. The CCD is also equipped with primary color filters (RGB) for superior color reproduction. The die-cast magnesium body protects the camera’s delicate sensor.

Technical Data:

Image file size: 4.01 megapixels
ISO: 100-400
File Format: TIFF
Storage Media: 64 MB SD-Memory Card
Interface: USB
Power Source: Lithium-ion battery

Leica is at once art, knowledge and philosophy of a very special subject: state-of-the-art optical performance. All over the world this brand name evokes an image of pioneering achievements in photography and of the uncompromising pursuit of the highest standards of quality. Well over 100 years of tradition in precision manufacturing and countless innovations and inventions have steadily reinforced this worldwide reputation. Leica Camera, Inc. headquartered in Northvale, NJ, distributes a complete line of Rangefinder/ SLR cameras and lenses, point & shoot cameras and sport optics. For more information on Leica, please contact (800) 222-0118 or visit Leica’s Web site at www.leica-camera.com/usa.

SOURCE Leica