Leica D-Lux 3?

Question

I'm planning on purchasing a camera and was first looking at the Rebel XT.. Then I saw the Leica D-Lux 3 (cool looking camera). I want manual control over the camera for creative purposes and also RAW image capture. Just a solid camera. I don't see myself spending alot in lenses etc.. So I'm not sure the Rebel is worth getting (especially size). Would the Leica offer creative flexibility? Excellent pics? Do I NEED to get a DSLR for creativity? Opinions? (I know about the Panasonic version of this camera, It's pathetic but I like the Leica logo)

Answer 1

Leica hasn't really innovated in the last 30 years but they do still make great gear. Their lenses and rangefinders - which the D-Lux3 pretends to be with its retro design - are excellent. Unfortunately, the D-Lux3 is just an average point & shoot.
The D-Lux 3 costs $600. The almost identical Panasonic DMC-LX2 costs $410. These are prices for just the camera - no accessory kits. And for $302, the Canon A640 is a better camera.
The D-Lux3 / LX2 get average reviews based largely on poor high ISO performance. These are cameras for sunny days - great for landscapes but little else. They do both have all of the manual controls you want. As for differences between the Leica/Pana, in RAW mode both cameras will produce identical images but in JPG mode the Leica produces better results.
The Canon A640 does lack a few things compared to the Leica/Pana. It doesn't have RAW for example. Also, the wide angle starts at 35mm vs. 28mm. But in every other department the Canon is just as good or better. I can appreciate that you wouldn't want to spend a lot on lenses if you went the dSLR route, but why pay dSLR cash for an average point & shoot?! That red dot costs $300 extra to make a fashion statement.
And none of these point & shoot models offer the same degree of control as a dSLR. They are not as reponsive, they do not enable the same shallow depth of field, they are not as good in low light, and they are limited to just one permanently attached lens.