lokthefish

i can't believe the negativity and cynicism of so many DPReview users. My passion for photography was born in the 1980's when great cameras like the FM2 and F3 were being produced, and photography was a very uncomplicated joy. It still is...for me anyway. this camera looks like fun! manual controls are actually a good thing...if we were to just ask Cartier Bresson or any of the great masters. chill out people and enjoy the ride! :) oh, and overpriced?? not for a pro camera...which it appears to be. if you want a point and shoot there's plenty to choose from.

tent makers have been doing this for years! i have one and they are durable. but sturdy?? maybe for a point and shoot...nothing more

i think time will prove you wrong. good design doesn't date, and Leica is good design, so I don't see that it will fail any more than say Nikon or Canon.

yes, all those shoddy BMW's, Mercedes, Audis, Porches, VW's etc...German Junk! :)

um, i think you've missed the point @mpgxsvcd, the camera does not make the picture better, it's the PHOTOGRAPHER. Do you think we're taking more creative photos than 40 years ago, when cameras were very simple? a great camera design is simple and doesn't get in the way with millions of buttons and menus. and I'm not saying that the other camera brands aren't durable, I'm talking about design, as in how well it works in your hands. Leica has been using the same design for years...because it works! pick one up and see for yourself! and for all the people whinging about the comparatively lower resolution screen, who cares when you have a viewfinder this good? i only use my screen to check exposure and access menus.

what are you talking about? Fuji are making some of the most beautiful cameras out there, and people are loving them, look at the sales figures!

hey, I know it's overpriced, but just stop for a minute all you "photographers" hurling negative comments at Leica. Leica, overpriced as it may be, is making real cameras of the highest quality and if you've ever picked one up and used it, you might change your tune. it may seem such a basic design and some people who want lots of features for their money won't see the value. but good design is timeless, and what features do you really need except great lenses, great viewfinder, shutter speed, aperture, iso and manual focusing? get out there and shoot people, don't rip a camera apart because you don't understand or lack the expertise to use a real camera. and by the way, how much are the top pro models from Nikon or Canon? about the same price, if not more! I wonder whose design will stand the test of time?

ughh!!

all the camera manufacturers have quality control issues tho. it's not like the old days because they are producing so many more units at a faster rate. still...no excuse for sloppy QC!

Fuji makes great FILM and now rocking the digital arena with great CAMERAS! what's not to like?!!

why is everyone complaining about the number of dials? Dials are the quickest controls, and most DSLRs have at least 3 or 4, so this is a good thing! way better than fiddling with buttons and menus!

guys, if you're serious photographers, you'll understand that being able to hold the camera up to your eye is essential for good stability and for use in bright outdoor lighting. that's why no optical viewfinder is a deal breaker! this camera is aimed at the serious end of compact cameras, but lacks this very important feature.

RPJG the V1 is a toy, not a serious enthusiast camera. Enthusiast cameras should have lots of manual controls, which the V1 does not. Nikon has lost the plot.

no optical finder! so disappointed Nikon, I would have rushed out and bought this camera, here I was thinking Nikon have finally made a great compact...but no :( might have to go the Fuji X10 after all.

for all you critics wondering why anyone would buy this sort of camera, have you ever used a Leica?? I agree Leica's are a bit overpriced, but they are great cameras to use! you might think that a camera with a million features and buttons gives you better value. A Leica is minimalist in design, but it works. There is wisdom in that good design does not age easily. Look at a Porsche 911, and see how subtly the design has changed over so many years. Look at a Japanese car over the same period and they are unrecognisable. So don't criticise something just because it's expensive, how about criticising all the countless cheap nasty cameras that have been made in the last 1o years that will never be remembered because they were awful to use and ugly in design!

PHOTOboy73, what planet are you on? Voice control for a professional camera? I'd like to see how that would work at a wedding, or business presentation, or photographing wildlife to mention just a few photography applications. Do you actually shoot in the real world, or just sit on forums dreaming up stupid ideas?

VERY disappointed Nikon. When are you going to listen and give us a digital FM2, or similar? Give us what real photographers want, not toys like this! If I want a small toy camera I'll use my iPhone. And an F-mount adapter? So you make a small camera, with small sensor...why would anyone bother sticking an awesome F-mount lens on it? what a waste of research and product development. Meanwhile companies like Fuji are listening and bringing out sensible, REAL photographic tools.