I know a lot of folks think I dislike Leica because I have complained about the performance of the electronics and customer service; however, I actually am a fan of Leica from the film days and just been disappointed in their electronics and CS. My intent has always been to try and get them to improve. Having said that and having tried the XV and the T and been disappointed in the AF performance and the slow electronics, this camera interests me because it appears to address the issues that bothered me the most. As Ashwin has speculated, this camera's electronics and firmware may be more Panasonic than Leica and that is not a bad thing to me. One issue remains and that is whether firmware fixes and upgrades will be forthcoming at a faster pace than in the past where problems are allowed to remain un fixed for 12 months or more. Maybe Panasonic will provide quicker fixes. It is certainly the closest to the digital CL many of us have been longing for and finally a built in EVF! I may wind up buying one but want to be sure any major issues are addressed and fixed.
Hi Bob,
Not that my review is good or anything.. But it is rolling, and has a lot of information on it.. And I'm of the same mindset as you, so you might find it interesting to read.
To directly address the issues on here. There really isn't anything wrong with the camera that would make you regret buying it. If you're fond of the 28mm focal length, then you're going to get along well with this camera. Really you will.
The only thing I'd like them to address in a firmware, would be the EVF for image taking and LCD for menu and playback (on auto sensor). I explain in better detail somewhere in my rolling review.
The only other thing I think they could address is having the option of setting the AF mode using the thumb wheel (I think that could be a good idea, because that's the only other thing I sometimes want to change on the fly). But right now it's reserved for the input of half stops due to the full stop shutter (see below point)
The last thing, unfortunately is a hardware update. And won't happen. But I would have liked half stops for the aperture and shutter dials. Instead of 1/3 stop aperture and full stop shutters with thumb wheel incremental shutter adjustments.
And I don't know if this is possible, and or if it will effect the AF, but I would like a smaller AF box. Or to option to adjust the AF box size.