PRESS RELEASE
15/09/2014
LEICA X-E – compact quality and elegant design made in Germany
With the Leica X-E, Leica Camera AG, Wetzlar, is expanding the Leica X family with a new camera model made in Germany. The particularly compact and lightweight X-E has all the features that characterise a Leica camera: an outstanding fast lens, the best materials and a premium finish. The camera also features an unmistakable design that, in the case of the X-E, is further emphasised by special details – like the titanium look of its body and control elements matched to its silver lens. Leather trim in the colour metallic rounds off its elegant looks.
With technical specifications based on the X2, the Leica X-E has a professional APS-C-format CMOS sensor with over 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 megapixels) that ensures maximum picture quality, natural colour rendition and richly detailed pictures. Its CMOS image sensor is unusually large for a camera in this class. Despite its high resolution of over 16 megapixels, each individual pixel on the sensor is very large and therefore gathers more light. The benefit of this is low image noise, a high dynamic range and accurate colour differentiation. The crop factor of the sensor is 1.5 in comparison with 35 mm film format. This means that the Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens of the LEICA X-E becomes a universal reportage lens with an effective equivalent focal length of 35 mm in 35 mm film format. This is considered to be a classic focal length amongst prime lenses and has captured innumerable iconic images. The moderate wide-angle character and natural rendition of dimensions by the high-performance lens of the X-E open up a broad spectrum of different options for capturing those decisive moments in outstanding authentic and richly detailed picture quality.
Thanks to its simple operating concept, the Leica X-E offers clearly laid-out functions and intuitive handling. At the same time, it offers an impressive range of automatic and versatile manual setting options. Thanks to the ease of switching between manual and automatic control, photographers can concentrate completely on composing their subjects and choosing the decisive instant to shoot in any situation. What’s more, its fast autofocus enables exceptionally precise and nearly inaudible focusing. All this makes the Leica X-E an ideal companion for capturing fantastic pictures with sparkling quality in even the most spontaneous situations. In live-view mode, its generously sized, high-contrast 2.7″ monitor offers photographers constant control of composition, framing and exposure.
The elegant design of the Leica X-E is dedicated to compact ergonomics and ease of use. At the same time, its lightweight but rigid full-metal body lends it particular robustness. The use of premium materials in its construction and its finishing with a passion for details make it a genuine Leica camera in both look and feel.
The Leica X-E is now available from authorised Leica.
Technical data LEICA X-E (Type 102)
Lens:
Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Eight elements in six groups
One aspherical lens
Focal length:
24 mm (equivalent to 35 mm in 35 mm format)
Apertures:
2.8 to 16 (1/3 EV increments)
Focusing range:
30 cm to infinity
Focusing options:
One-point, 11-point, spot, face detection
Image sensor:
APS-C CMOS image sensor with 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 megapixels)
Resolution:
JPEG in 3:2 format: 4928 × 3264 pixels (16.1 megapixels), 4288 × 2856 pixels (12.2 megapixels), 3264 × 2160 pixels (7.1 megapixels), 2144 × 1424 pixels (3.1 megapixels), 1632 × 1080 pixels (1.8 megapixels) DNG in 3:2 format: 4944 × 3272 pixels (16.2 megapixels)
Image quality:
JPEG super fine, JPEG fine, DNG and JPEG super fine, DNG and JPEG fine
Exposure control
Exposure modes:
Automatic programme (P), automatic aperture priority (A), automatic shutter priority (S), manual setting (M)
Exposure compensation:
Increments: 1/3 EV steps, range: ±3 EV
Automatic exposure bracketing:
1/3 to 3 EV increments, three exposures
Metering modes:
Smart multi-segment metering, centre-weighted metering, spot metering
White balance:
Auto, halogen, daylight, flash, cloudy, shade, electronic flash, two 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 12,500
Shutter speeds:
30 s–1/2000 s
Continuous shooting:
3 fps or 5 fps, max. eight consecutive exposures with constant shooting speed in DNG- and JPEG-fine quality
Film modes:
Standard, dynamic, natural, b/w natural, b/w high contrast
Flash
Modes:
Auto, flash exposure correction, red-eye correction, fill-in flash, slow sync, studio, first/second curtain sync
Hot shoe:
Compatible with Leica SF 24D and Leica SF 58 flash units
Monitor:
2.7″ TFT LCD with 230,000 pixels, wide-angle field of view: 100%
Review modes:
16-thumbnail display, zoom review (16× max.), image rotation, deletion protection
Storage media
Internal memory:
Approx. 110 MB
Memory cards:
SD, SDHC
Interfaces:
HDMI out, USB (USB 2.0 high speed)
Battery (rechargeable lithium-ion):
Capacity: approx. 450 exposures
Dimensions (W × H × D):
Approx. 124 × 69 × 51.5 mm
Weight:
Approx. 316/345 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)
About Leica Camera
Leica Camera AG is an internationally operating, premium-segment manufacturer of cameras and sport optics products. The legendary status of the Leica brand is founded on a long tradition of excellence in the construction of lenses. And today, in combination with innovative technologies, Leica products continue to guarantee better pictures in all situations in the worlds of visualisation and perception. Leica Camera AG has its headquarters in Wetzlar, in the state of Hesse in Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company operates branch offices in England, France, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, South Korea, Italy, Australia and the USA. New and innovative products have been the driving force behind the company’s positive development in recent years.