Leica X1 12.2MP Digital Camera Reviewed
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So right off the bat you might be wondering why a bargain site is reviewing the Leica X1 camera. Well, the short answer is that I saw a Leica camera that has its price reduced a couple of hundred dollars and thought that this was just about the point where someone who knows what a Leica camera is and what it means to own one, could actually start to afford their own Leica. Yes, it's still close to $2,000 (as of this writing), but getting the Leica X1 under $2,000 can sure help the decision!
Let me be very clear in saying that people who purchase a Leica X1 are very willing to purchase it at that point. Much like purchasing any other expensive item, there are other options that are far cheaper and in fact perform much better overall than the Leica X1 (but not in image quality). In fact the best part about any Leica camera is the lens, and normally can be purchased as a separate item and used on many other cameras. But those other cameras aren't badged as a Leica, and so you pay the premium for the Leica X1 camera to get the badge. That may sound silly to some, but the importance of being able to show other photographers that you know what constitutes a high quality camera is very important; especially for professional photographers.
Leica X1 Digital Camera for Sale at Amazon
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Leica X1 12.2MP APS-C CMOS Digital Camera
Sale Price: $1,800.00  |
That isn't to say that Leica can just throw any camera they want on the market and expect people to purchase. No, the Leica X1 camera actually does have perform as the photographer expects a Leica to perform, and that means a fantastic lens. Leica is mostly known for the image quality that is available from their lenses, and the fixed Leica Elmarit 24mm lens does qualify. Shooting pictures in DNG (RAW) format, you'll see cinematic quality photos each and every time.
New and Used Leica X1 Digital Camera for Sale
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Steel Gray Leica X1 12.2 MP Digital Camera with 24mm f2.8 Elmarit Lens 18420
Selling for Only: $1,449.00 Sale Ends In: 7h 11m |
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Leica X1 Steel Camera Set, Boxed.
Selling for Only: $1,495.00 Sale Ends In: 3d 6h 30m |
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Leica X1 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera - Steel gray (Body Only)
Selling for Only: $1,349.95 Sale Ends In: 5d 11h |
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Brand New Leica X1 12.2 MP Digital Camera - Black Full USA Warranty 18 400
Selling for Only: $1,725.00 Sale Ends In: 6d 17m |
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PANASONIC LUMIX DMC FZ150 DIGITAL CAMERA 12.1 M.P 24X OPTICAL ZOOM LEICA LENS
Selling for Only: $425.88 Sale Ends In: 9d 15h 11m |
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Leica X1 Classic 12.2MP 24mm F2.8 Asph Digital Camera
Selling for Only: $1,995.00 Sale Ends In: 11d 18h 51m |
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Leica X1 12.2MP Digital Black Camera with 24mm f/2.8 Lens + Leather Strap Box
Selling for Only: $1,549.95 Sale Ends In: 12d 1h 17m |
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Leica X1 Digital Compact Camera, Black with Elmarit 2.8 24mm Lens SN 3836041
Selling for Only: $1,595.00 Sale Ends In: 12d 6h 4m |
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Leica X1 12.2MP APS-C CMOS Digital Camera STEEL GREY
Selling for Only: $1,498.55 Sale Ends In: 16d 2h 36m |
Helping the Elmarit fixed mount lens produce high quality photos is the APS-C formatted CMOS sensor. With the 12.2 megapixel resolution produced, you'll find the that Leica X1 camera functions at a 36 mm focal length.
The Leica X1 camera has a 2.7" LCD screen for shot setup, Live View, and menu options. The Leica X1 does not have a viewfinder, so the 2.7" screen will be your base of operations for the business of using the Leica X1.
The Leica X1 camera's design is very sleek and retro, adding to the uniqueness of the camera. It's a very simplistic design with manual control for aperture and the shutter on the top with only the pop-up flash breaking the plane. All other controls for the camera are elegantly laid out on the right and left of the display.
And that's just about it for the Leica X1 camera! There is not an option to create HD video. If you need that option, you should definitely look elsewhere. You'll also not be creating weirdly focused shots with the Leica X1 because it doesn't allow you to create those (at least from the camera's perspective). If you want zoom features with the Leica X1, you will just have to get closer to your subjects because the Elmarit lens is fixed. Fixed with an 11 point auto focus, so you can focus on anything you want, but without zoom.
Nope, what the Leica X1 camera does is create some of the most detailed still photos you will ever hope to create in a compact camera. You can complain about the simplistic approach that Leica took in creating such an expensive camera, or the lack of features that other cheaper cameras (especially the micro four-thirds models) carry. But you cannot complain about the ingenuity behind the Leica X1, nor the performance of creating outstanding photos. After all, that's what Leica is known for, and that's what you should expect in practically any camera designed by Leica.
Leica X1 Digital Camera Photos
Leica X1 Digital Camera Specs
* Model / ASIN: Leica X1 / B002NX13QC
* Colors Available: Black with grey accents; very minimalistic design as is the case with all Leica cameras
* Resolution: 12.2 megapixel resolution using an APS-C format CMOS sensor
* Lens: Leica Elmarit 24 millimeter lens; this lens is a fixed lens, so no optical zoom available
* Digital Zoom: none
* Video Recording: none
* Shutter Speed: 30 to 1/2000 seconds making the Leica X1 the fastest in its class
* Aperture: f/2.8 to 16
* ISO: 100 to 3200
* Flash: built-in pop-up flash; includes and integrated hot shoe for attaching SF58 or SF24D flash modules
* Film Modes: choose from standard or vivid; natural or black and white natural along with black and white high contrast setup
* Continuous Shooting: 3 frames per scond
* Viewfinder: none; use the 2.7" LCD screen for shot setup, menu options, and slideshow; aperture and shutter speed are set by the dials on the top
* File Format: RAW (DNG) or JPEG (fine or super fine); RAW is much preferred with a Leica
* File Storage: compatible with either SD or SDHC memory cards (not typically included)
* Outputs: HDMI; USB
* Power: rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries (model #BC-DC8 - usually included in new packages); able to shoot 260 shots on one full 200 minute charge
* Dimensions: 2 1/5" x 4 9/10" x 1 3/10" (H x W x D) and weighs a robust 10 ounces (without battery)
Reference
Leica X1 Photography by Jim Radcliffe
This site contains photography by Jim Radcliffe using the Leica X1 camer...
Leica X1 | PhotographyBLOG
The Leica X1 is a 12.2-megapixel compact camera with an unusually big, A...
Leica X1 Digital Camera - Youtube Video Review
X1.wmv
19 May 2012 at 10:53pm
B. Daniels is the lead review expert with Find Cheap Bargains. B. was more than likely the person responsible for the hands-on review of every product on the site. He also spends time searching for sale bargains when not conducting and writing the reviews.
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