Leica is still leica, but as allways, one pays the brand. Many of their new digital cameras (besides M8 and 9) are almost rebrand panasonics, so even the expensive panasonic is a good choise.
I do not know if you want a compact camera, m3/4 or a reflex one. A friend of mine bought a pentax K, he is very happy with her. But I think that uses bateries AAs.
Whish you good luck find a good camera!
PS: I use film...
