Leica Digilux 1 (2002)

A digital point-and-shoot camera released in 2002, developed in partnership with Panasonic.

Overview

The Leica Digilux 1 is a digital point-and-shoot camera made by Leica and released in 2002. It was the second digital camera produced by Leica and marked the beginning of the company's digital conversion. Developed in partnership with Panasonic, it features a 4-megapixel CCD sensor with a CMYG filter array and captures images at a maximum resolution of 2240 × 1680 pixels. The camera includes an optical viewfinder and uses a Vario-Summicron 3x zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent range of 33–100mm and . It supports ISO settings of 100, 200, and 400, with an auto mode available. Storage is via Secure Digital cards, with a 64 MB card included in the box.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Leica
Product type	digital camera
Sensor	4 megapixel 1/1.76″ (7.32 x 5.49 mm) CCD
Sensor filter array	CMYG
Max resolution	2240 × 1680
ISO sensitivity	Auto, 100, 200, 400
Lens	Vario-Summicron 3x zoom
Lens equivalent	33-100mm
Focus	Auto focus (contrast detect)
Focus distance	Normal: 30 cm; Macro: 6 cm
Storage media	Secure Digital Card, up to 1 GB
Viewfinder	Optical
Original price	$899

Design

The Leica Digilux 1 was developed in partnership with Panasonic, sharing core technology and engineering with contemporary Panasonic models. It uses a CCD sensor with a CMYG color filter array instead of the more common Bayer pattern, aiming to produce film-like image quality distinct from the flat, video-like output of many digital cameras at the time.

Context

Released in 2002, the Digilux 1 arrived around the same time as the Canon PowerShot G2, positioning Leica in the early wave of premium compact digital cameras. It was the start of Leica’s digital conversion and followed an earlier collaboration with Fuji on the original Digilux. Despite its high price and Leica branding, contemporary assessments were mixed, with one review titled "Leica Digilux 1 Review: Red Dot Digital Disaster" signaling strong criticism.

Market

As of 2020, the Digilux 1 was rarely listed on eBay, with only one or two units appearing—down from "loads" five years prior. A boxed unit was advertised in Spring 2025 for £119, while tested working units have sold for $299. One collector reported finding a mint-condition example with case and charger for $129, suggesting variable pricing based on condition and completeness.