Last Updated on 08/18/2022 by Mark Beckenbach
Quite literally, the staff brings up Leica cameras every week in our chat. We’re in awe of their lenses and their cameras. And at the age of 35, when I want more nice things that last, the new Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE X STASH” edition beckons me. Perhaps it’s the fact that it reminds me a ton of the graffiti I grew up with around NY, as I didn’t see Street Art until I was a grown man! And while I’m not usually a fan of camo-print, we have to admit it’s pretty gorgeous on this camera.
By all means, the Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE X STASH” is for those of us who work in photography but want a genuine passion product. Lots of passionate photographers who do this as a hobby enjoy the professional-grade cameras they shoot with. And that’s just fine. Cameras like the Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE X STASH” are ones those folks may scoff at. But professionals (meaning photographers, journalists, creators, and anyone who uses a camera as a daily part of their job) will probably fall deeply for this camera.
Mind you, I don’t think it’s fair to say that this is a camera for someone who has a little less sense about them. At heart, this is a Leica D-Lux 7, which is a Panasonic LX100 II: a camera that had a ton of potential but, without essential upgrades, ended up pushed aside. The Panasonic goes for around $1,000. The regular Leica D-Lux 7 fetches $1,395 and bundles in a two-year warranty. The Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE X STASH” requires a $1,895 tribute to the Leica camera store.
At the heart of the camera is a Four Thirds sensor with a 24-75mm equivalent lens starting at f1.8 and ending at f2.8.
But the tech specs are not the reason you’d buy this camera. If you buy this camera, you probably don’t care so much about the image quality because you’re confident you can make good images with it regardless. Instead, the Leica D-Lux 7 “A BATHING APE X STASH” is a purchase you make for a few reasons:
- You’re a pro that wants a small camera.
- Besides wanting a small camera, you want something nice looking.
- You’re a professional that uses a camera often and adores streetwear, NYC, or Tokyo.
When you look at the price, you realize it’s not all that bad. Lots of Micro Four Thirds cameras with interchangeable lenses won’t have a compact zoom lens like this. And if you had a lens with a 24-75mm equivalence, why would you get anything else? Again, think about the user. These are pros who want something small that they can mess around with. We don’t always want to bring our big, serious cameras with us.
Frankly, I’m elated that Leica made this camera and continues to churn out special editions like this. It makes their products fun.
So why aren’t I buying one? Honestly, I really want a weather-resistant point and shoot. If the LX100 Mk II were weather-resistant I would’ve bought it a long time ago. Hopefully, a future product will be weather-resistant. And if that ever comes, then my wallet will be very, very empty.