Pixiq

Leica's just unveiled its V-Lux 3, a camera that it's touting as being a viable alternative to an entry-level dSLR. Now the only way to tell that for real is holding the camera in your hands and looking the fruits of your labours, which you won't be able to do until it's released in January 2012 (or try out the Panasonic FZ150, see below). But there's no harm in looking at the specs, is there?

Its lens is a 25-600mm equivalent in 35mm format, with an aperture range of f/2.8-5.2. The sensor's a 12.1 megapixel CMOS job.

If you want to have a go at high speed photography, its capable of 12 frames per second at full resolution. Want to have a go with 60 frames per second? You can, but the resolution will have to drop to three-and-half megapixels.

Video is supposed at a quality comparable to a premium range camcorder. It shoots full HD at 1920×1080p at 60 frames per second.

The screen is fully tiltable, turnable, and moveable, which should help you to get your shot wherever you are. And the simple layout and menu function should add to that, too.

Along with the camera comes Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, making sure that you get the most out of your pictures and videos.

Leica reckons that it 'offers a vast range of focal lengths and covers almost all photographic situations that usually require the use of a camera system.' At £690 or $949, can it lure prospective dSLR purchasers away from an entry-level camera and a lifetime hooked on lenses? We wait to see!

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© Daniela Bowker. This article has been licensed for use on Pixiq only. Please do not reproduce wholly or in part without a licence.