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Olympus OM-D E-M5
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Nikon Coolpix S9300
Leica X1
The Leica X1 is a 12.2-megapixel compact camera with an unusually big, APS-C sized sensor and a fast wide-angle lens. It has a fixed-mount, fixed-focal-length Leica Elmarit 24mm (36mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens with high-speed autofocus, and a 23.6x15.8mm CMOS sensor with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The Leica X1 has all the manual control an advanced photographer can desire, from manual exposure to manual focus, but it also comes equipped with a number of automatic options. Touted as an ideal choice for available-light photography, the Leica X1 has a sensitivity range of ISO 100 to ISO 3200. With a maximum shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second and a continuous shootig rate of up to 3 frames per second, the Leica X1 is equally well suited to capturing fleeting, split-second moments. The availability of the Leica X1 is slated for December 2009. The recommended retail price is €1550 in the euro zone. Pricing for the UK, where the Leica X1 shall become available in January 2010 only, has not yet been revealed.
Leica Press Release
LEICA X1: Photography as spontaneous as life itself
Leica Camera AG has announced the X1. Designed and made in Germany by Leica engineers, this camera is set to become a future classic. The desirable LEICA X1 achieves exceptionally high resolution and quality for a camera of such small dimensions, and will set new standards.
The LEICA X1 is equipped with a 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor in APS-C format, as found in much larger DSLR cameras. This sensor, combined with the all-purpose LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/24 mm lens, offers outstanding picture quality comparable with professional cameras. Furthermore, the X1’s technical specifications and broad spectrum of setting options – from manual to automatic operation – makes it a perfect companion for creative photographers, while the compact size means it can be carried at all times – ideal for capturing those unique, spontaneous moments in life.
The large sensor area of the individual pixels on the CMOS sensor receive more light, guaranteeing low noise levels, high dynamic range and accurate colour differentiation. The crop factor of the sensor is 1.5 in comparison with 35mm film format, which means the fixed-mount LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/24 mm lens is transformed into a universal reportage lens with an effective (35mm equivalent) focal length of 36mm. This is a true classic amongst prime lenses and has captured innumerable iconic images in history.
Peter Kruschewski, product manager digital compact cameras at Leica Camera AG, commented, “The LEICA ELMARIT 1:2.8/24 ASPH is a true Leica lens with terrific optical performance. Its moderate wide-angle character creates sufficient distance when needed, but still allows photographers to get in close to pick out the details whenever the situation requires. This lens ensures that photographers won’t miss any shot, situation or detail, however fine.”
The straightforward design of the X1 is strongly reminiscent of the legendary Leica M cameras. This, in combination with its robust, all-metal construction and tactile, high-quality leather trim, makes the X1 typically ‘Leica’.
The LEICA X1 offers clearly laid-out, intuitive functions. For ‘uncomplicated’ photography, the X1 offers numerous automatic features ranging from precise autofocus to automatic exposure, guaranteeing photographers perfectly exposed, sharp images by simply pressing the shutter release. This allows the user to concentrate on the creative aspects of composition and framing.
Thanks to its numerous automatic functions, the X1 is always quick and versatile whenever the need arises. Photographers can also achieve creative freedom with the camera’s manual control options. Both aperture and shutter speed can be selected manually with the easy-to-use dials on the top plate of the camera. Even the plane of focus can be set manually, along with white balance and various other image capture parameters. Consequently, the X1 offers photographers complete manual control of the creative process while also guaranteeing rapid reaction ability with its automatic functions, when required.
The large size of the sensor, a maximum sensitivity of ISO 3200 and large aperture make the LEICA X1 an ideal choice for ‘available light’ photography. Whether in adverse lighting conditions, or for conscious manipulation of depth of focus, the X1 offers numerous options for individual and creative composition.
The bright 2.7” display of the X1 almost fills the entire back of the camera and reveals the finest details, even in bright surroundings. The live-view function replaces an optical viewfinder and shows an accurate preview with all essential image information. The Live Mode also makes the X1 particularly versatile for shots taken from unusual perspectives.
Accessories and software
The LEICA X1 offers a comprehensive range of accessories that expand the abilities of the camera and adapt it to the photographer’s personal photographic style: A 36-mm bright-line accessory, for instance, can be inserted in the camera’s accessory shoe and ensures a clear view without unnecessary power drain. If required, the camera display can be switched off when an accessory finder is used. In this case, a prominently placed LED indicates successful automatic focusing. In addition to this, there is an accessory handgrip that aids the safe and secure handling of the camera. A comprehensive range of camera cases is also available: the ever-ready case offers sufficient room for the camera with an attached handgrip and includes a small case attached to the carrying strap to hold the accessory finder. The high-quality transport case offers perfect protection for the camera, while the attractively designed system case has space for the camera and all its accessories.
The LEICA X1 features a retractable flash that can do much more than simply replace other sources of light. It also serves as a fill-in flash and can even be synchronised to the second shutter curtain. If more power and flexibility is required, the Leica SF 24D and SF 58 system flash units are also compatible with the X1.
The LEICA X 1 is supplied with a battery charger and a high-performance battery, and also includes a comprehensive software package. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows, is available as an online download for all registered LEICA X1 customers. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom offers a vast range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital images, whether in JPEG or DNG format. If the images from the X1 are saved as raw data in Adobe Digital Negative format (DNG), Adobe Photoshop Lightroom guarantees direct and extremely high-quality image processing.
Pricing and availability
The LEICA X1 will be available in the UK from January 2010. Pricing will be available nearer to date of launch. For further details and a list of authorised dealers including the new Leica Store Mayfair, please visit http://www.leica-camera.co.uk.
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Canon IXUS 240 HS Review
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS Review
Nikon D800 Review
Samsung DV300F Review
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review
Nikon Coolpix P510
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS
Fujifilm X-Pro1
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V
#1 photography toronto
I know the older vesion had a lot of noise on higher iso, I hope they improve that.
7:26 pm - Wednesday, September 9, 2009
#2 camera cases
Hey if anyone is looking for a camera case for the new Leica, I found a great site that sells all different types of camera cases and backpacks at M-Rock.
8:38 pm - Thursday, September 10, 2009
#3 Glenn Fernandes
Thanks for the useful information. Leica engineers have done a good job. I am impressed by the design of this camera. The features are also very impressive. Its great that it comes with good accessories. Shooting is very easy and real fun. Photographers will be satisfied using it.
7:06 am - Friday, September 11, 2009
#4 pacef8
It does look the mutts nutts but as an owner of a dlux 3 that has 60 secs exposure rather than the 30 i dont see an option of a bulb release and if its the same lens which it looks like its not very dust friendly , i just had to hoover the thing to get the gritty zoom working again. I was in a damp atmosphere no where near a beach and thought it would be a liitle bit more robust.
Maybe i am asking too much from a compact
leica or any other.
Thoughts please ?
Pace
5:07 pm - Saturday, September 12, 2009
#5 hans - joachim benndorf
no viewfinder, 230k screen ( 3rd rate ) single lens, very limited
photographic range, $2000+? Who is kidding who? I can get a
D700 Nikon full frame body for that.
5:08 am - Monday, September 14, 2009
#6 J Kira
I can't imagine why anyone would want to pay so much for a camera with a fixed lens and no optical options. Obviously I'm not in that target market as there are so many different cameras that a photographer can buy in that price range. I guess if you just have to have a camera with the red circle then this is your big opportunity. Personally I think Leica has it's head up it's hindquarters on this one.
5:13 pm - Tuesday, September 15, 2009
#7 rob
Fixed lens is OK for some types of shooting - for example for street photography. But why 36mm and not 28 or even 24? And why f/2.8 when they could easily make it f/2.0 or even brighter?
Every new release from Leica is a new puzzle and a new disappointment for me. I could get over the high price of this camera, if it only excelled in features as well as in optical quality. But it looks like Leica will never catch up with competition in an innovation department.
Oh well, I will have to stick to my old Digilux 2 with its 5 megapixels and useful ISO 100-200. In the meantime, I will be expanding my dSLR gear, hoping that maybe some company someday will release a good professional compact camera...
9:19 pm - Tuesday, September 15, 2009
#8 eric
Leica will never catch up with competition in an innovation department.
dude, thus is a full frame sensor compact camera.. not innovative?
i think 1500 is a more reasonable price tho.. the lens should excel but the 230k lcd is is crap..
1:53 am - Thursday, September 17, 2009
#9 Peter
$2000? Too expensive although I must admit it looks great. With that money I could buy an Olympus E-P1 that could also use Leica M and R lenses (with adapter of course), it can use a hell lot of other new and old lenses like Panasonic, Angenieux, Pantax Takumar SMC, Nikon, Contax Carl Zeiss, the old Zeiss-option lenses for the old Contax II & III, Olympus's own Digital or the old OM lenses, even the Russian's Jupiter 9 .... you name it; and E-P1 got a lot of special features, and a beautiful and well built body. The new Panasonic GF1 even have an electronic viewfinder that is extremely useful and convenience in particular shooting under strong light, and a 460K monitor; so, why bother the X1?
4:50 am - Saturday, September 19, 2009
#10 dangler
for that money i would prob buy the gf1 and some accesssories or even consider an m8 second hand. lovely but i would like a bigger lens not a p&s lens for prob £1500!!! most likely however i am gonna stick to my d-lux3 and R3A (with leica lenses) for now as none of the above are drastic improvements that make my cameras look obsolete. this and gf1 do look great tho.
7:21 am - Monday, September 21, 2009
#11 Jaak Dell Estonia
APS-C sized sensor paired with Elmarit glass. The is no better image quality in such small camera. For sure ...
Dell
1:10 pm - Monday, September 28, 2009
#12 otto
@ benndorf: third-rate lens? What makes you say this?
This hits the sweet spot for me. I currently use a Nikon DSLR for which I have half a dozen lenses but in real life I never take off my 35mm f/2 prime. The DSLR's bulk is a constant disincentive to going out and taking pictures.
This has a (presumably) great lens coupled with a full-size APS-C sensor in a tiny body that will fit in my pocket! It's what I've been waiting for! Comparisons with the GF1 and EP-1 don't wash - it's significantly smaller than either of them.
A wider aperture than f/2.8 would definitely have been preferable; but with the larger sensor and expected great noise performance it will probably still outperform the GF1 with its tempting 20mm f/1.7.
It's expensive but I expect it will be worth the money, I'm trading in my Nikon plus lenses for one.
3:41 pm - Thursday, October 1, 2009
#13 rob
@ eric: "dude, thus is a full frame sensor compact camera"
@ otto: "This has a (presumably) great lens coupled with a full-size APS-C sensor"
Guys, *full size* sensor is an equivalent to a 36mm x 24 mm frame on an analog camera. There is no such thing as "full-size APS-C" format.
5:24 pm - Thursday, October 1, 2009
#14 otto
rob, "full-size APS-C" - i.e. it's the same size as the sensor on most DSLRs (or the M8 for that matter) - of course it's not ''full-frame" (itself a purely relative notion) but for a compact this is something really new. We're talking about Leica glass and the same sensor that's on the Nikon D300s, all in a package that slips into the pocket. Hence my excitement.
9:14 pm - Thursday, October 1, 2009
#15 rob
I agree about the lens, but "the full-size APS-C" sensor is an oxymoron. There is no such thing, I must reiterate.
11:22 pm - Thursday, October 1, 2009
#16 otto
I think you're confusing "full-size" with "full-frame" but never mind. I agree the descriptor "full-size" is redundant, the point is that it's the same size as the sensor in most DSLRs, therefore a major improvement over other high-end compacts.
6:48 am - Friday, October 2, 2009
#17 weng
SLOW AUTOFOCUS
nuff said.
2:22 am - Tuesday, February 9, 2010
#18 Mikael Siirilä
I am ready to pay premium for quality products made in western industrial countries. Timeless design, superior build quality and lasting value are rare phenomena in the market.
Take the Leica X1 in your hands and it feels like $5000, not $2000.
Nikon is for tourists, Leica is for travellers.
7:54 pm - Thursday, March 25, 2010
#19 ijam
I like my X1. Replacement to my Dlux-4. It's a real compact camera with good IQ. I'm using d90. They used the same sensor but the IQ are different. I'm really like the X1 IQ.
It's a point and shot camera. But the size, design and portablity are suit to me.
...and don't forget, the IQ. Some sample from me at http://www.ijam.my
10:38 am - Monday, May 3, 2010