megapixels

as a 'dyed-in-the-wool' traditional film camera enthusiast (and having owned and used nikon, leica, canon and olympus slrs and view finders), i strongly resisted for the longest time 'going digital'...that is to say, until the leica digilux2 came along...

i am now a confirmed digital convert, and can say that the quality of images rendered from the digilux2, when compared to the photos rendered from my film cameras and in the absence of investing in my own film processing studio, will make the new leica a preferred choice for many years to come, and notwithstanding the 5 megapixel sensoring....

Sure, the Nikon 5400 is capable of similar pictures, at least in ideal situations, if you have the time to fight your way through its menus. But what makes the Leica d-2 the best camera currently available is its ease of use, the brilliant design of every knob and lever. Whatever you want to do, this camera can do it, simply, logically, and quickly. Bottom line: if you're rich, this is the best camera available. If you're poor, other digital cameras offer similar performance for a third the price if you're willing to deal with their confused, convoluted, time-consuming menus and controls.

To the person that mentioned the Leica Digilux 2 will be obsolete in 2 years, I'm sure many luddites don't like digital photography. Get used to it as it's here to stay. The Leica Digilux 2, and its sister Panasonic Lumix DMC LC-1, are the best digital rangefinder cameras, I think. I like the fact that it has both a fully automatic position or an immediate manual setting. As for price, buy the Panasonic considering it's identical (Leica Digilux 2 was developed in conjunction with Panasonic). I've seen the Panasonic as low as $1200. Either way, both are fantastic!