What is it with white cameras? Leica has decided to jump on the white camera bandwagon and offer a new white version of the Leica M8. Besides being white, the camera won’t offer any new or different specs than the original model, which begs the question – why release a color version in the first place?

For those who may not be familiar with the Leica M8, the $4,400 shooter pack quite a punch offering compatibility with all of Leica’s M series lenses, and the ability to take 10.3-megapixel pictures. The camera’s CCD sensor is specifically designed to deal with the high requirements of the M series lenses, and customized to help users take exceptional quality photos.

The camera has a “snapshot” mode for when you want the camera to make all your settings choices. In snapshot mode the camera with automatically make selections for your automatic exposure (aperture priority), automatic ISO speed setting and automatic white balance. The mode can be particularly useful for amateur photographers who want to use a variety of lenses, but don’t know enough about photography to compensate for the differences with each lens.

For photographers who like to have control over every aspect of their shots, the Leica M8 offers you the ability to go completely manual and customize your pictures to look the way you want them to.

So what about this white thing? We’ve seen quite a few camera manufacturers start to put out white version of their professional SLRs. Whenever I look at them I am immediately reminded of the storm troopers from Star Wars…I just don’t get why anyone would want them. SLRs are also something you’ll theoretically be keeping around for a while, and a white one will undoubtedly start to get dirty and show wear and tear much faster than the traditional black one.

Would you buy a white SLR?

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Entry was posted on Friday, April 10th, 2009 at 9:35 pm under Digital Camera, Digital SLR, New Products, leica.

Read more entries by Emily Price.