I owned an A2 and sent it back, I was simply not pleased with the results - however, it did have a lot of great features, such IS, auto-switch from LCD to EVF, etc. It also has quite a bit more zoom reach than the Leica. I just felt, in the end, that the lens was the weakest point in that chain, and that's not a good place to have your big weakness. I do own the Digilux 2 and can say that I am very pleased. It is a joy to use, from an ergonomic perspective, and I find the images really snap out at the viewer. I am shooting highest quality JPEG, because of the unfortunately long write time for RAW, but plan to start shooting RAW when my subjects are inactive. I think to compare the 300D is difficult, as that is just so different, a DSLR with whatever lens you choose. I have tried it, and found it frustrating in terms of the things you couldn't control just because they decided to cripple it. A great sensor. I also own a 1D, and therefore have the choice between the more pocketable and convenient Digilux, and the 1D when I'm in the mood to lug things around. Good luck.
