By Jasmine Osada

Consumers want everything nowadays. Give them entry level DSLRs and they will complain that the cameras are too bulky.

If you're part of the group looking for a powerful digital compact camera capable of semi-professional shots, Leica has a solution for you in the D-Lux 4.

Take a look at the D-Lux 4 and you'll fall in love with its classic, old school design. The all-black metal body sports a classy, minimalist design. Turn the D-Lux 4 around and you will find a generous 3-inch LCD screen, and easily accessible controls.

What the D-Lux 4 lacks though, is a handgrip, and while this can be purchased separately, it should really have been worked into the design. One thing that Leica could have done without on the D-Lux 4 though, is the lens cap tether, as it is not quite long enough for one to hold it while shooting, and the swinging lens cap is more than a tad annoying at times.

The camera also lacks a viewfinder that would make it more appealing to serious photographers and hobbyists. This, again, can be purchased separately, but that feels like another unnecessary omission from the base design.

With a large number of scene modes, the D-Lux 4 is simple enough for most casual users to take good pictures.

Manual mode, though not as comprehensive as that of professional cameras, is still enough to keep more serious users happily tweaking the settings.

The D-Lux 4's large 10-megapixel CCP sensor serves it well, even in dim light, meaning the camera can produce usable pictures even at the higher ISO 800 settings.

Colours in the pictures are brilliant and extremely vibrant, and capturing colours so well is certainly one of the strongest selling points of this camera.

However, as the camera's Vario-Summicron f/2 lens tops out at 60mm, don't count on it for zoom shots. Pictures are clear, crisp and detailed.

Leica is marketing the D-Lux 4 as a digital compact system camera, and is offering add-ons such as a handgrip, viewfinder and flash.

But unless you are really uncomfortable with how the D-Lux 4 feels in your hand, or find the viewfinder something you absolutely cannot do without, I would recommend giving both a miss. At $150 for the handgrip and $550 for the viewfinder, it is more than a tad too much for additions to what is really a casual point and shoot camera.

For every digital compact Leica makes, many are bound to compare it to its Panasonic counterpart, in this case the DMC-LX3. But the D-Lux 4 is an excellent camera, and the brilliant pictures, along with the camera's 3-year warranty is certainly worth the extra.

If you are looking for an excellent point and shoot camera, the D-Lux 4 is certainly one of the best in the market now.