Seven years ago in 2018, I posted an image test of the Canon G7X Mark II, a compact camera with a one-inch sensor. That blog post is popular even after all these years. The resurgence of compact cameras may explain why.

I’m revisiting 6th Street and starting the coverage with the same Blind Pig Pub bar I featured years ago. The Leica D-Lux 8, while small compared to my full-frame cameras, is noticeably larger than the Canon G7X Mark II. However, you get a lot more for this increase in size and a much higher price.

The most important aspect of image quality is the larger cropped Micro 4/3 sensor, which is significantly larger than the one-inch variety. I also like the Leica colors more than Canon. Comparing the same building, you will notice a non-trivial image quality difference.

6th Street seemed more festive this year during Christmas time. I noticed several bars with holiday decorations and enhanced lighting. I particularly like what this bar did to complement the architecture.

This third example is a bit more subtle in its holiday decorations but still well-executed. Despite being a Sunday night, I noticed more people visiting 6th Street this year.

The Leica D-Lux 8 performed admirably and should satisfy my casual everyday needs. It will also make a lightweight travel camera. I shot extensively with the Canon G7X Mark II even taking it to India and Singapore.

While I made some solid pictures, I was ultimately disappointed with the image quality of the Canon G7X Mark II and stopped using it. I think the Leica D-Lux 8 exceeds my new minimum image quality threshold. It doesn’t match the image quality of my other larger full-frame cameras, but it’s a lot easier to carry around and more fun to shoot.

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