New Leica X Vario: World’s First Compact Camera to Combine Large, APS-C CMOS Image Sensor with a Zoom Lens

The New Leica X Vario:

• ‘Made in Germany’

  • The top plate is machined from solid aluminum in the same process used for the Leica M

  • This, in combination with its robust metal construction and premium high-grip leather trim ensures that the X Vario is a classic Leica camera in terms of both look and feel

  • Leica X Vario offers great versatility and creative freedom

• Offers the unique combination of an unusually large sensor with a high performance autofocus zoom lens in a compact camera

  • Zoom Lens: Leica Vario Elmar 18-46 mm f/3.5-6.4 ASPH

    • (35 mm equivalent. 28 – 70 mm)

    • 8 elements in 6 groups

    • 1 aspherical lens element

  • The required focusing distance and focal length can be set via the focusing ring on the lens

• Features also include:

  • APS-C CMOS image sensor with 16.5 megapixel (effective 16.1 megapixel)

    • Thanks to its large sensor and fast Leica lens, it allows exposures to a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12500 and thus offers even greater scope for creative experimentation

  • Intuitive handling

    • User-friendly menu interface displayed on the high-resolution 3″ monitor provides a clear overview of all settings at a glance

  • Full-HD video:

    • Recording option with 1920 x 1080 pixels and 30 full frames per second

    • Video can be saved in Internet-friendly MP4 format and uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices without any need for conversion, allowing inspiring moments to be shared with friends in HD videos

    • An integrated wind-noise filter reduces undesirable noise during sound recording

• Available now in the UK from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair, www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351

  • The Leica X Vario is offered in a black finish

  • It is also available as a set with the X Vario camera protector and carrying strap in tan leather

  • The suggested retail price of the Leica X Vario is £2,150 (US$3367.12 ) inc. VAT; the set SRP is £2,250 (US$3523.72)

This video presents “Yvonne Venegas: The Personal View of Things”:

• “The Mexican photographer Yvonne Venegas finds her personal viewpoint, as she says, “between the perfect moment and the mistake” – because “there is something in between those two moments that is ambiguous and unexpected“

• “Yvonne Venegas investigates portraiture by taking pictures when the subject is not prepared and capturing moments that are seemingly a photographic mistake

• The Leica X Vario offers her the compact size and manual settings she needs to achieve her photographic goals“

NEWS RELEASE

The Highly Anticipated ‘Mini M’ Features Characteristics Reminiscent of the Legendary M-System

Solms, Germany, 11 June 2013: Leica Camera AG has unveiled the latest addition to its digital compact camera offerings and presents the Leica X Vario. Made in Leica Camera’s headquarters in Germany, the X Vario features a high-performance 16.5-megapixel (effective 16.1), APS-C format, CMOS image sensor, a zoom lens covering a range of focal lengths from 28 to 70 mm (35 mm equivalent) and Full-HD video recording capability. With several design and handling characteristics of the storied M-System, the ‘Made in Germany’ Leica X Vario offers great versatility and creative freedom.

The X Vario’s high performance image sensor is unusually large for a camera in its class. Combined with the Leica Vario Elmar 18-46 mm f/3.5-6.4 ASPH, it sets completely new standards for imaging quality in the compact segment with outstanding exposures in all situations. The Leica X Vario is the world’s first compact camera to combine a large, APS-C format, CMOS image sensor with a zoom lens.

From expansive interior shots, landscapes to portrait photography, the range of focal lengths offered by the Leica X Vario opens up entirely new horizons for creative photography. The camera’s versatility is further expanded by a new, 1080p Full HD video recording function that allows photographers to record memories at a frame rate of 30 full frames per second. The video data can be saved in MP4 format and uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices without any need for conversion. An integrated wind-noise filter that reduces undesirable noise guarantees crystal-clear sound recording.

The Leica X Vario’s wide range of camera setting options combined with its fast and precise autofocus offers 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 an intensely focused design concept. Its handy form, linear design and the premium materials used in its construction are reminiscent of the Leica M-System. For instance, the top plate is machined from solid aluminium in the same process used for the Leica M. This, in combination with its robust metal construction and premium high-grip leather trim ensures that the X Vario is a classic Leica camera in terms of both look and feel.

Further showcasing Leica M DNA, the X Vario features an intuitive handling concept with clearly laid out functions. The user-friendly operation of the menu interface guarantees rapid access to an impressive range of automatic and versatile manual setting options. Combined with the ease of switching between manual and automatic control, it allows photographers to concentrate completely on composing their subjects and choosing the decisive instant to shoot in any situation. The dials on the top plate 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 sized high-contrast, 3-inch monitor offers photographers complete control at all times and a detailed view– even in bright surroundings.

Accessories
An extensive range of accessories is also available to adapt the Leica X Vario to photographers’ particular needs. For example, the Leica EVF 2 Viso-Flex electronic accessory viewfinder with 1.4 megapixels and a 90° swivel function is extremely helpful when shooting from unusual angles. An accessory handgrip makes it easier to shoot one-handed and provides a better grip. As with the Leica M (Typ 240), finger loops in three different sizes (S, M and L) can be attached to the handgrip, helping further ensure safe and steady handling of the camera. An optional lens hood ensures the minimisation of reflections and the Leica SF 24 D flash unit offers greater freedom for subject lighting.

Leica continues to provide a comprehensive range of superbly finished bags, cases and straps that complement the elegance of the X Vario: An ergonomically designed camera protector and an every-ready case in premium black or tan leather; wrist and carrying straps that can be combined with all Leica X and M cameras are also offered in untreated natural leather in black or tan. Whenever the X Vario is used with multiple accessories, photographers can take advantage of the system bag.

Included Software
Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom®, a professional digital workflow solution for Apple Mac® OS X and Microsoft Windows®, is also 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. The software is available to X Vario customers as an online download after product registration.

Pricing and Availability
Available now in the UK from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair, www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351, the Leica X Vario is offered in a black finish. It is also available as a set with the X Vario camera protector and carrying strap in tan leather. The suggested retail price of the Leica X Vario is £2,150 inc. VAT; the set SRP is £2,250.

Individual accessories are priced as follows (SRP including VAT):
EVF 2 Viso-Flex: £380
Lens hood: £90
Handgrip: £100
SF 24 D flash unit: £270
Finger loops for handgrip: £90 in S, M or L
Leather ever-ready case in black or tan: £180
Leather camera protector in black or tan: £90
Carrying strap with protective flap in black or tan: £80
Wrist strap with protective flap in black or tan: £60

The range of optional accessories will be available following the launch of the camera.

Download Technical Spec