LEICA X VARIO – A Visual and Tactile Experience
Solms, Germany (June 12, 2013) – Leica Camera announces the expansion of the X product line with the new Leica X Vario, a product that once again epitomizes the brand’s trademark Made-in-Germany excellence. A compact digital camera featuring a zoom lens, this latest addition to Leica’s diverse product portfolio offers even greater versatility and creative freedom as well as brilliant image quality.
“When I first picked up the X Vario I was impressed by how solid it felt in my hands. The camera itself is substantial,” said Justin Stailey, Leica product specialist. “This outstanding build quality is unlike any other product in the compact camera market. Once I started shooting with it, I was even more impressed by how easy it was to handle and how phenomenal the image results were.”
The Leica X-System is defined by its high-performance, APS-C format, CMOS image sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP), unusually large compared to other cameras in this class. The Leica X Vario is the first compact camera to combine this professional sensor with a high-performance zoom lens, the Leica Vario Elmar 18-46 mm f/3.5-6.4 ASHP, which covers a range of focal lengths from 28 to 70 mm (35 mm equivalent). This combination is a world’s first and sets completely new standards for imaging quality in its class. The size and quality of the sensor result in low image noise, high dynamic range, and accurate color reproduction.
The Leica X Vario’s versatility is further expanded by a new, full-HD video recording function that, for the first time, allows photographers capture the fascination of life’s special moments with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at a frame rate of 30 full frames per second. The video data can be saved in internet-compatible MP4 format and can be uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices without any need for conversion. Crystal-clear sound recording is guaranteed by an integrated wind-noise filter that reduces undesirable noise. A wide range of camera setting options and fast, precise autofocus further enhance the functionality of the Leica X Vario, creating a performance profile that allows even the most demanding photographers maximum creative freedom for spontaneous shots as well as for carefully arranged compositions.
The Leica X Vario is distinguished by tightly focused clarity of design that reflects the characteristic features of the Leica M. These include not only the compact and handy body but also the use of premium materials in its construction. The top deck is machined from solid aluminium in the same process as employed for the Leica M. The combination of robust metal construction and superior quality leather trim with outstanding grip characteristics, ensures that the X Vario is a true Leica in both visual aesthetic and feel.
Its handling features clearly laid out functions and a simple operating concept. At the same time, the Leica X Vario offers an impressive range of automatic and versatile manual setting options. Switching between manual and automatic control is incredibly easy, allowing photographers to concentrate completely on composing their subjects and enabling them to be prepared to shoot the decisive moment in any situation. The dials on the top deck provide grip when setting the shutter speed and aperture. Moreover, changing the plane of focus, the white balance, and other imaging parameters allows photographers to consciously influence the look or mood of their images. In Live View mode, the generously-dimensioned, high-contrast, 3-inch monitor offers photographers complete control and a bright, detailed view at all times, even in extremely bright surroundings.
A multitude of optional accessories, such as the Leica EVF 2 Viso-Flex electronic accessory viewfinder with 1.4 megapixels and 90° swivel function, allows photographers to adapt the Leica X Vario to their particular needs. A handgrip that perfectly balances the weight of the camera in the photographer’s hands is also available. As in the case of the Leica M, finger loops in three different sizes are available for attachment to the handgrip. These guarantee fatigue-free camera use for long periods of time and provide an even surer grip for safer handling. The Leica X Vario is always safe and steady in the photographer’s hands, even when shooting single-handed. An optional lens hood ensures the minimization of glare and reflections, and the Leica SF 24 D flash unit offers greater freedom for subject lighting.
The new range of accessories also includes a selection of particularly high quality and superbly finished bags, cases and straps: the ergonomically-designed camera protector, the ever-ready case, the hand strap and shoulder straps are available in untreated natural leather in a choice of two different colors (black and cognac). Whenever the Leica X Vario is used with numerous accessories, photographers can take advantage of the roomy system bags from the Leica portfolio.
Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac® OS X and Microsoft Windows®, is included in the Leica X Vario package. This digital image processing software offers a wide range of functions for the management, processing and presentation of digital images. Leica customers can download the software free from the Leica website upon registering their camera.
The Leica X Vario in black finish and the entire range of optional accessories is now available from authorized Leica dealers.
Technical data LEICA X VARIO
Lens: Leica Vario Elmar 18 – 46 mm f/3.5 – 6.4 ASPH. (35 mm equivalent. 28 – 70 mm)
9 Elements in 8 groups
2 aspherical lens elements
Aperture settings: 3.5 / 6.4 to 16 (1/3-EV increments)
Focusing range: 30 cm–infinity
AF focusing: 1-point, 11-point, spot, face detection
Image sensor: APS-C CMOS image sensor with 16.5 MP (effective 16.2 MP)
Resolution: JPEG in 3:2 format: 4928 × 3264 pixels (16.1 MP), 4288 × 2856 pixels (12.2 MP), 3264 × 2160 pixels (7.1 MP), 2144 × 1424 pixels (3.1 MP), 1632 × 1080 pixels (1.8 MP)
DNG in 3:2 format: 4944 × 3272 pixels (16.2 MP)
Image quality: JPEG super fine, JPEG fine, DNG + JPEG super fine, DNG + JPEG fine
Exposure control
Exposure modes: Automatic programme (P), automatic aperture priority (A), manual setting (M)
Exposure compensation: Increments: 1/3 to 3 EV increments, 3 exposures
Automatic exposure bracketing: 1/3 to 3 EV increments, 3 exposures
Metering modes: Smart multi-segment metering, centre-weighted metering, selective (spot) metering
White balance: Auto, halogen, daylight, flash, cloudy, shade, electronic flash, 2 manual settings, manual colour temperature setting with fine tuning
Sensitivity: Auto, ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO 3200, ISO 6400, ISO 12500
Shutter speeds: 30 s–1/2000 s
Continuous shooting: 3 fps or 5 fps, max. 7 consecutive exposures with constant shooting speed in DNG + JPEG fine quality
Film modes: Standard, dynamic, natural, b/w natural, b/w high contrast
Flash
Flash modes: Auto, flash exposure correction, red-eye correction, fill-in flash, slow sync, studio, 1st/2nd curtain sync
Hot shoe: Compatible with Leica SF 24D, Leica SF 58 flash units
Monitor: 3″ TFT LCD with 921,600 pixels, wide-angle field of view: 100%
Review modes: 16-thumbnail display, zoom review (16× max.), image rotation, deletion protection
Storage media
Internal memory: None
Memory cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC
Interfaces: HDMI out, USB (USB 2.0 high speed)
Battery (rechargeable lithium-ion): Capacity: ~ 360 exposures
Dimensions (L × H × D): ~ 133 x 73 x 95 mm
Weight: ~ 650/679 g (without/with battery)
Package includes: Battery (Leica BP-DC8), battery charger (Leica BC-DC8), battery case, leather carrying strap, USB cable, lens cap, user manual
Software: Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® (free download option after product registration)
Last revised May 2013. Leica reserves the right to make technical changes.
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