Who says a classic-looking camera can’t be high-tech? Within the 8.4-megapixel D-Lux 2’s retro-styled exterior is a unique ultrawide sensor—one of the first on the market—that corresponds to the 16:9 aspect ratio of a widescreen TV. Adding to the panoramic feel is a wide-angle (28mm equivalent) lens. At Whistler, I was able to frame everything from my ski partner, standing a few feet away, to the distant peaks. A dedicated exposure-and-focus-lock button makes nailing the correct exposure a cinch. www.leica-camera.com
Bonus: The high-resolution antireflective LCD.
Bummer: You thought all this would come cheap?