D-LUX

Admit it…men have it pretty easy when it comes to buying their significant other a Valentine's Day gift. But what does a girl get the man in her life to say "I love you"? If your man is into photography, the Leica Camera portfolio offers the perfect gift to show him just how you feel.

Who he is:

• The father who accidentally covers up the flash while taking pictures
• The husband who frequently gets lost on road trips but loves documenting them
• The boyfriend who makes an album for every vacation adventure

What he wants: LEICA V-LUX 20

The Leica V-LUX 20 is the ideal camera anytime, and it's so easy to use that photographers at any level can have fun taking pictures. With features like intuitive controls and a high performance Leica 12x zoom lens, plus fun extras including HD movie recording and GPS tagging, the 12.1-megapixel Leica V-Lux 20 is perfect for any photographic event. The V-Lux 20's innovative tracking system allows photographers to record the exact geographical coordinates of their location and also has the ability to display the names of 500,000 interesting sightseeing locations across 73 countries. The V-Lux 20 retails for $699.Read more

Leica Camera just announced a new firmware update for the LEICA D-LUX 4 camera. The free firmware update is available now for download from Leica's website: www.leica-camera.com.

Improvements with firmware version 2.1 update:

1. Recording function with an aspect ratio of 1:1 has been added
2. White balance (WB) bracket function has been added
3. The exposure compensation and the auto bracket compensation can now be set up to ±3EV
4. Position of the guide line can now be set
5. [LENS RESUME] has been added to the [SETUP] menu
6. [HIGH DYNAMIC] has been added to scene mode
7. It is now possible to record the user's name in the image file
8. [MENU RESUME] has been added to the [SETUP] menu
9. It is now possible to display the highlights in playback mode
10. Digital red-eye removal has been modified
11. Items saved in the custom set have changed
12. Display of [COPY] in the [PLAYBACK] menu has changed
13. Message display has been added

Go to www.leica-camera.com to update your LEICA D-LUX 4 to firmware version 2.1.

LEICA just announced a new special edition D-LUX 4 Safari digital camera. While with the same olive green outdoor look as the LEICA M8.2 Safari announced earlier this year, the D-LUX 4 Safari is the first compact digital cam offered in this special edition.

The D-LUX 4 Safari is the same camera as the D-LUX 4, only with a "safari" green finish. It features a 3-inch LCD display, Leica f/2.0-2.8 DC Vario-Summicron ASPH high speed, extra-wide-angle 24-60mm equivalent zoom lens, an oversized 1/1.63- inch, 10.1-megapixel CCD image sensor, Face Detection, Intelligent Auto mode, Optical Image Stabilization, and can record lossless RAW files as well as JPEGs.

A waterproof carrying case is also included with the camera. The back of the case has a compartment with a nylon "rain cape" that can be pulled out to cover the case and protect it from…well…rain (or other elements).

This limited edition LEICA D-LUX 4 Safari will be available in August 2009 for $995.

Leica is adding another camera to their line of titanium special edition cameras. Leica is limiting the D-LUX 4 Titanium to 10,000 worldwide.

This collector's item is functionally identical to the regular D-LUX 4. The compact system camera's high aperture lens allows for use without a flash under more conditions than most compacts.

The Leica D-LUX has a 10.1 megapixel sensor, 24-60 mm lens and can store photos in fine, standard, raw or combinations.

It comes with a matching titanium colored leather case. Available accessories include a handgrip, auxiliary finder and flash.

Available at authorized dealers in January 2009.