Leica's 2012 enthusiast compact — 10MP 1/1.7" CMOS, 24-90mm equiv f/1.4-2.3 Vario-Summilux, sister of the Lumix LX7.
The Leica D-Lux 6 was introduced in September 2012 as the fifth generation of Leica's enthusiast D-Lux compact line, slotting between the D-Lux 5 and the larger-sensor D-Lux (Typ 109). It is the sister model of the Panasonic Lumix LX7, built on the same hardware with Leica styling, firmware tuning and a bundled software package.
It uses a 10-megapixel 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with native ISO 80-6400 (expandable to 12800). The headline is the Leica DC Vario-Summilux 4.7-17.7mm f/1.4-2.3 ASPH lens, a 24-90mm equivalent 3.8x zoom that is unusually fast across its range, with optical image stabilisation, an aperture ring and a built-in ND filter arrangement inherited from the LX7 platform. The rear carries a 3-inch 920k-dot fixed LCD, storage is SD, video is Full HD, and RAW capture is supported.
The f/1.4-2.3 zoom makes it a genuinely capable low-light and street compact despite the small sensor, and the physical aperture ring gives it engaging manual handling. It appeals both to Leica collectors wanting an affordable red dot and to shooters who simply want one of the fastest zoom lenses ever fitted to a compact; the Panasonic LX7 offers the same imaging for less.
Check the lens deploys and zooms without hesitation and inspect the front element and inner groups for dust or haze, a known small-compact issue. Confirm the aperture ring clicks cleanly, the rear screen is unmarked, and the proprietary rechargeable battery holds charge with a genuine charger included. Boxed examples with the Leica software and accessories command noticeably higher prices.