Leica is about to announce the Leica Digilux 2, which is going to have the same characteristics as its analog camera, the M6, in the long run.

The camera will have a Leica DC Vario-Summicron 7-22.5 mm (28-90 on 35 mm) f/2.0-2.4 ASPH (13 elements 10 groups) zoom lens with manual operating rings for the zoom, focus and the aperture (!). I don't know at this point if the focus ring actually operates the lens mechanically but I am sure the zoom ring does.

There is also a manually controlled shatter dial on the top which can operate within 8- to 1/2000-second exposure times, but the camera is capable of 1/4000 in auto mode.

Also, a 2/3-inch 5-Mp (effective) CCD will operate at 100 to 400 ISO. The camera can store files in JPEG or RAW (!) format on a SD card. The screen is very interesting -- a 2.5-inch LCD transreflective (like an ipaq PDA) with 211,000 pixels. And the camera also has an EVF with 235,000 pixels!!! (With digital enlargement mode for focus).

A USB 2.0 interface will be used and a 1400 MAH rechargeable battery. Hooo yes, get this: the overall (with battery) weight is 705g [1.55 lbs.]!!! I am not sure if the body is made of plastic or metal, but you can see a lot of screws.

Note that letsgodigital had posted some time ago a new Panasonic which is about the same: http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/news/articles/story_440.html.

You can learn a whole bunch just form looking in the pictures. Like: Hot shoe, metering modes etc. I've included some small products shots. I am hoping to get more pictures soon (and with a better resolution).

Here is my news post in www.d-spot.co.il: http://www.d-spot.co.il/article.php?sid=252&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0.