Leica D-LUX 8 vs Sigma fp

The Leica D-LUX 8 and the Sigma fp are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in July 2024 and July 2019. The D-LUX 8 is a fixed lens compact, while the fp is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (D-LUX 8) and a full frame (fp) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.8 megapixels, whereas the Sigma provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Leica D-LUX 8		Sigma fp
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
24-75mm f/1.7-2.8		Leica L mount lenses
16.8 MP – Four Thirds sensor		24 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600		ISO 100-25,600 (6 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 1860k dots		3.2" LCD – 2100k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Fixed touchscreen
11 shutter flaps per second		12 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
300 shots per battery charge		280 shots per battery charge
130 x 69 x 62 mm, 397 g		113 x 70 x 45 mm, 422 g

Check D-LUX 8 price at
amazon.com
Check fp price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica D-LUX 8 and the Sigma fp? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica D-LUX 8 and the Sigma fp. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sigma fp is notably smaller (12 percent) than the Leica D-LUX 8. It is noteworthy in this context that the fp is splash and dust-proof, while the D-LUX 8 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the D-LUX 8 has a lens built in, whereas the fp is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

Concerning battery life, the D-LUX 8 gets 300 shots out of its Leica BP-DC15 battery, while the fp can take 280 images on a single charge of its Sigma BP-51 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Leica D-LUX 8	130 mm	69 mm	62 mm	397 g	300	n	Jul 2024	US$ 1 599	amazon.com
2.		Sigma fp	113 mm	70 mm	45 mm	422 g	280	Y	Jul 2019	US$ 1 899	amazon.com
3.		Canon G5 X Mark II	111 mm	61 mm	46 mm	340 g	230	n	Jul 2019	US$ 899	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	141 mm	83 mm	46 mm	495 g	350	Y	Jan 2016	US$ 1 699	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-T2	133 mm	92 mm	49 mm	507 g	340	Y	Jul 2016	US$ 1 599	ebay.com
6.		Leica C-LUX	113 mm	67 mm	46 mm	340 g	370	n	Jun 2018	US$ 1 049	ebay.com
7.		Leica D-LUX 7	115 mm	66 mm	65 mm	392 g	300	n	Nov 2018	US$ 1 195	ebay.com
8.		Leica T	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Apr 2014	US$ 1 849	ebay.com
9.		Leica TL	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Nov 2016	US$ 1 695	ebay.com
10.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	137 mm	99 mm	131 mm	830 g	360	n	Sep 2014	US$ 1 349	ebay.com
11.		Leica X2	124 mm	69 mm	52 mm	345 g	450	n	May 2012	US$ 1 999	ebay.com
12.		Nikon A1000	114 mm	72 mm	41 mm	330 g	250	n	Jan 2019	US$ 429	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic FT7	117 mm	76 mm	37 mm	319 g	300	Y	May 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic LX100 II	115 mm	66 mm	65 mm	392 g	300	n	Aug 2018	US$ 999	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic S1	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1017 g	400	Y	Feb 2019	US$ 2 499	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic TZ95	112 mm	69 mm	42 mm	327 g	380	n	Feb 2019	US$ 449	ebay.com
17.		Sony A7	127 mm	94 mm	48 mm	474 g	340	Y	Oct 2013	US$ 1 699	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D-LUX 8 was launched at a lower price than the fp, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica D-LUX 8 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sigma fp a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the fp is 364 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.2 and 1.0. The sensor in the D-LUX 8 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the fp offers a 3:2 aspect. The D-LUX 8 has the particularity of featuring a switch that allows to toggle between multiple aspect ratios, while maintaining the same field of view and full image resolution.

With 24MP, the fp offers a higher resolution than the D-LUX 8 (16.8MP), but the fp nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.98μm versus 3.32μm for the D-LUX 8) due to its larger sensor. However, the D-LUX 8 is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 11 months) than the fp, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sigma fp implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the fp for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica D-LUX 8 are 23.7 x 17.8 inches or 60.1 x 45.1 cm for good quality, 18.9 x 14.2 inches or 48.1 x 36.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.8 x 11.8 inches or 40.1 x 30.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica D-LUX 8 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sigma fp are ISO 100 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 6-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the D-LUX 8 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the fp uses a BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica D-LUX 8	Four Thirds	16.8	4736	3552	4K/30p	23.1	13.4	1557	75
2.		Sigma fp	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.2	14.2	2829	94
3.		Canon G5 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.2	12.4	583	65
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.7	13.0	1608	80
5.		Fujifilm X-T2	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	23.8	13.1	1653	81
6.		Leica C-LUX	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.1	12.3	481	64
7.		Leica D-LUX 7	Four Thirds	16.8	4736	3552	4K/30p	22.9	12.8	1002	72
8.		Leica T	APS-C	16.2	4944	3278	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	1082	75
9.		Leica TL	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.9	13.2	1690	81
10.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	21.6	11.7	127	60
11.		Leica X2	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	none	23.2	12.4	1275	74
12.		Nikon A1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	20.7	12.2	1095	52
13.		Panasonic FT7	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.6	12.1	1028	51
14.		Panasonic LX100 II	Four Thirds	16.8	4736	3552	4K/30p	22.8	12.7	979	72
15.		Panasonic S1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.5	3333	95
16.		Panasonic TZ95	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	20.7	12.2	1103	52
17.		Sony A7	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.8	14.2	2248	90
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the D-LUX 8 has an electronic viewfinder (2360k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the fp relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the fp can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF-11. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica D-LUX 8, the Sigma fp, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Leica D-LUX 8	2360	n	3.0 / 1860	fixed	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
2.		Sigma fp	optional	n	3.2 / 2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	n
3.		Canon G5 X Mark II	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	30/s	Y	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	2360	n	3.0 / 1620	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
5.		Fujifilm X-T2	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	full-flex	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
6.		Leica C-LUX	2330	n	3.0 / 1240	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
7.		Leica D-LUX 7	2764	n	3.0 / 1240	fixed	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
8.		Leica T	optional	n	3.7 / 1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
9.		Leica TL	optional	n	3.7 / 1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
10.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	2359	n	3.0 / 921	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Leica X2	optional	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
12.		Nikon A1000	1166	n	3.0 / 1036	tilting	Y	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	Y
13.		Panasonic FT7	1170	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/1300s	10.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Panasonic LX100 II	2764	n	3.0 / 1240	fixed	Y	1/4000s	11.0/s	n	Y
15.		Panasonic S1	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	Y
16.		Panasonic TZ95	2330	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
17.		Sony A7	2400	n	3.0 / 1230	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica D-LUX 8 and the Sigma fp both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the D-LUX 8 and the fp write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica D-LUX 8 and Sigma fp and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica D-LUX 8	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Sigma fp	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.1	-	-	-
3.		Canon G5 X Mark II	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Fujifilm X-T2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
6.		Leica C-LUX	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Leica D-LUX 7	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Leica T	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Leica TL	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
11.		Leica X2	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Nikon A1000	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
13.		Panasonic FT7	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Panasonic LX100 II	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
15.		Panasonic S1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
16.		Panasonic TZ95	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
17.		Sony A7	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the D-LUX 8 offers wifi support, while the fp does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the D-LUX 8 and the fp are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The D-LUX 8 replaced the earlier Leica D-LUX 7, while the fp does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Sigma websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Leica D-LUX 8 better than the Sigma fp or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Leica D-LUX 8:

• Flexible image proportions: Has a multi-aspect sensor that allows for alternative image shapes.
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the fp requires a separate lens.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the fp).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 4 years and 11 months of technical progress since the fp launch.

Arguments in favor of the Sigma fp:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 16.8MP), which boosts linear resolution by 22%.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1860k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• More compact: Is smaller (113x70mm vs 130x69mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in July 2019).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the fp emerges as the winner of the match-up (13 : 10 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica D-LUX 8 and the Sigma fp place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the D-LUX 8 or the fp. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Leica D-LUX 8	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jul 2024	US$ 1 599	amazon.com
2.		Sigma fp	4/5	..	4/5	..	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2019	US$ 1 899	amazon.com
3.		Canon G5 X Mark II	4/5	+	4/5	82/100	..	4/5	Jul 2019	US$ 899	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X-Pro2	..	+	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	US$ 1 699	ebay.com
5.		Fujifilm X-T2	5/5	+ +	..	86/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2016	US$ 1 599	ebay.com
6.		Leica C-LUX	..	..	3.5/5	..	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2018	US$ 1 049	ebay.com
7.		Leica D-LUX 7	..	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	Nov 2018	US$ 1 195	ebay.com
8.		Leica T	3/5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2014	US$ 1 849	ebay.com
9.		Leica TL	..	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2016	US$ 1 695	ebay.com
10.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	..	..	..	..	..	5/5	Sep 2014	US$ 1 349	ebay.com
11.		Leica X2	3/5	..	..	..	3/5	4/5	May 2012	US$ 1 999	ebay.com
12.		Nikon A1000	..	+ +	3.5/5	..	3.5/5	3/5	Jan 2019	US$ 429	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic FT7	..	+	..	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	May 2018	US$ 449	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic LX100 II	4.5/5	+	4.2/5	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	US$ 999	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic S1	4.5/5	+ +	4.5/5	88/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	US$ 2 499	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic TZ95	..	+ +	..	..	4.5/5	..	Feb 2019	US$ 449	ebay.com
17.		Sony A7	5/5	+ +	..	80/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	US$ 1 699	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Check D-LUX 8 price at
amazon.com
Check fp price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

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Check D-LUX 8 price at
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