I Spent 1 Day With This Leica Camera & It Made Every Moment Insta-Worthy
As someone who lives and breathes digital content creation, I’ve pretty much got my photography routine down pat: smartphone in hand, one-click editing apps, and the occasional Photoshop filter to add a touch of je ne sais quoi to my shots.
But, let’s be honest: while smartphones are crazy convenient, they don’t quite capture the magic of a moment in all its depth and richness. Many times I still find myself reaching for my trusty (but very chonky) DSLR for the creative control it offers, then regretting it halfway through the day when my shoulder starts to ache from lugging it around.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Enter the Leica D-Lux 8, a camera so lightweight and compact that it immediately piqued my interest. Plus, it’s so stylish that I didn’t just want to use it, I wanted to be seen using it. Could it elevate my daily snaps without weighing down my lifestyle? Spoiler alert: it did, and then some.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Here’s how this ultra-chic and functional camera fit seamlessly into my busy day, turning every moment into a mini editorial spread. Move over, phone camera — there’s a new star in town.
Morning Rush: commuting with a functional yet stylish camera
My day starts like most others, with me rushing through my makeup and skincare routine while on bleary-eyed autopilot (FYI: mornings and I share a hate-hate relationship). Before I dash out the door with earbuds in one hand and the Leica D-Lux 8 slung over my shoulder, I take a couple of cute what’s-in-my-bag flatlays for the ‘gram.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
While I’m absolutely a pastel pink type of girl, the Leica’s sleek and chic retro build means it fits right in with my aesthetic. Honestly, it looks more like a fashion piece than a functional camera, and I was living for it!
Normally, I’d be too preoccupied scrolling through Instagram or catching up on messages during my commute, but with the D-Lux 8, I found myself actually paying attention to the world around me. The morning sun was casting major golden hues, and I had a sudden urge to snap some candids.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Unlike some cameras that have intimidating buttons and bulky bodies, this one is lightweight and easy enough to handle even with just one hand, making it all feel effortless. The resulting photos serve indie film vibes, looking dreamy and just a little retro (thanks to the old-fashioned bus stop in my area). Looks like no filter is required here!
Office Hours: emails, a fit check, and an unboxing video
One coffee run later, I was settled at my desk and the morning ritual was in full swing. For the next few hours, I get busy hopping on meetings, writing and checking through new articles, and replying an avalanche of emails.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
When I finally get a short break, I sneak in a quick fit check! For today’s look, I went with a mix of polished and playful: an off-shoulder navy dress with gold accessories and white Hello Kitty sneakers. Yes, fashion is certainly a top priority in the GirlStyle office.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Next, I tackled an Instagram Story featuring a trendy new product that had arrived at our office. Since this was a two-person job (you didn’t hear it from me!), my work bestie was happy to oblige with a few videos.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
While I usually have to spend some time editing the clips to correct harsh shadows cast by our super-bright studio lighting, the Leica D-Lux 8 helped me skip that step with its masterful light balance. I ended up with snaps that have a smoothness and clarity that my phone camera couldn’t dream of.
Lunchtime: lunch tasting at The White Label, served with a side of aesthetic
As an editor, I get to indulge in some fab opportunities, like media tastings. Today’s agenda? Lunch at The White Label, a French-Malayan fusion spot that oozes elegance. It was sure to be a great test for the D-Lux 8 capabilities since food photography is an art form in itself.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Each buffet course was served fresh from moving trolleys, and while the concept was incredibly novel and charming, I was concerned that my shots would be impeded by motion blur. After all, most people would instinctively reach for their phone cameras when capturing a moving target — this was uncharted territory!
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
But my worries were for nothing, because every shot came out more stunning than expected. From the warm tones of the hearty mains to the elegant details on the dessert tower, the Leica managed to snap each detail in crisp perfection.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Even better, the D-Lux 8’s manual focus allowed me to play around with close-up and wide-angle shots, without the usual fuss of a phone camera’s auto-focus guessing game.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
The way this camera elevated something as simple as lunch to a full-on editorial moment? Colour me impressed.
Late Afternoon: an advertorial shoot at the National Gallery
Post-lunch, I headed to the National Gallery for a product advertorial shoot. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of shooting content, it’s that natural light is a must.
The Leica D-Lux 8 didn’t just capture the light, it embraced it, dancing between shadow and sunlight in a way that felt intentional and almost cinematic.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
From the gallery’s vast hallways to the trendy product shots we needed for the advertorial, the camera nailed every single shot.
This was also around the time of day when I’d typically feel the strain of carrying an additional camera — a feeling that was totally missing with this compact Leica, even though I held it up for long enough to warrant a good ache!
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
With the shoot wrapped, I had a bit of time to wander through the building. The National Gallery’s grand architecture looked even more stunning when seen through the Leica lens, like something out of a coffee table book.
Evening: pizza, family time, and surprise portraits
Here’s the thing, my mom is easily one of the most camera-challenged people that I know. I’m not kidding — she can barely handle her phone camera app, much less an actual camera. While I had long ago given up any hope of scoring decent pictures of myself when we spend quality mother-daughter time together, she became curious about the Leica when I brought it along to our casual pizza dinner, and I figured, why not?
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
And surprise, surprise! It turns out that the D-Lux 8’s interface is simple enough to hand over to someone who’s never touched a professional camera in their life, and they can still produce stellar results.
After a whirlwind day, I was exhausted and quite literally almost flopping over into the food, but the camera still managed to bring out a natural glow in my skin and eyes in the portraits my mom snapped.
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
It’s worth noting that the little pizza diner we frequent does not have optimal lighting by any means, so it was extra impressive how the D-Lux 8 handled the low-light setting. Even without a tripod, the photos came out crisp with just the right amount of warmth, making the whole scene feel cozy and intimate.
Verdict: a chic addition to fuel your creative juices
After just one day, I’m officially a Leica girl. The D-Lux 8 didn’t just make my photos look better; it made my whole experience of capturing memories feel more intentional, and I definitely felt my creative juices flowing more often!
Photo from GirlStyle Singapore
Most importantly, it made the most average, everyday moments in my life look special. And honestly, isn’t that what great photography is all about?
Would I trade in my phone camera forever? Maybe not — but after spending the day with this Leica, my phone might just get a lot more shelf time.
The Leica D-Lux 8 is priced at $2,450 and is available at Leica Stores @ Raffles Hotel Arcade, Marina Bay Sands and ION Orchard.
You can also discover Leica’s full collection on their online store.
This post is brought to you by Leica.
