Leica X1

    53
    Image cannot be found

    Highlights

    • 12.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points
    • 2.70" 230k dot Fixed Screen
    • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    Image cannot be found
    Image cannot be found

    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Leica X1 was announced in 2009 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) Advanced Compact camera with 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200. The camera has a Fixed 2.70" screen with 230k dot resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Leica X series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Leica X series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Leica X-U
    Compare
    		January
    2016    		 16.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Articulated 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X (Typ 113)
    Compare
    		September
    2014    		 16.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X Vario
    Compare
    		June
    2013    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X2
    Compare
    		May
    2012    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Fixed 2.70"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X1 December
    2009    		 12.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.70"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Leica X-U vs X vs X Vario vs X2 vs X1.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Leica X1.

    PROS

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.70"

    Successor

    In 2012 Leica X1 was replaced by Leica X2. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Leica X1 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Leica X2 vs Leica X1
    Higher Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixel vs 12.2 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 12,500 vs 3,200
    Max Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 vs 4272 x 2856
    Reachs More Telephoto 36 mm vs 35 mm
    Min Normal Focus Distance 30 cm vs 60 cm
    Viewfinder Electronic (optional) vs
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    DOWNGRADES Leica X2 vs Leica X1
    Reaches Less Wide Angle 36 mm mm vs 35 mm mm
    Heavier 345 g (0.76 lb / 12.17 oz) vs 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Leica X1 vs X2.

    Screen

    Fixed screen

    Leica X1 has a 2.70" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards.

    Sensor

    Leica X1 features a 12.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 4272 x 2856 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3564 x 2160, 2144 x 1424, 1632 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    No Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have an image stabilization.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Leica X1.

    Leica X Vario
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Leica X2
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Leica X (Typ 113)
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.2 MP

    Leica X-U
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.2 MP

    Sony a7 III
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.2 MP

    Sony a7R IV
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    61.0 MP

    Canon Rebel T5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    18.0 MP

    Canon R50
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Canon R7
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    32.5 MP

    Nikon Z8
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.7 MP

    Canon 5DS R
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Canon 7D II
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Leica X1 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is an HDMI connector for video signal output.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Leica X1's shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


    Flash

    Leica X1 has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash.

    Physical Parameters

    Leica X1 has dimensions of 124 x 60 x 32 mm (4.88 x 2.36 x 1.26"). It weighs 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    124 mm (4.88")

    60 mm (2.36")

    Image cannot be displayed


    60 mm (2.36")

    Image cannot be displayed


    32 mm (1.26")

    Image cannot be displayed

    Leica X1 dimensions

    Leica X1 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Leica X1 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Leica X1 gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    58

    Leica X1 gets a score of 58 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    POOR
    44

    Leica X1 gets a score of 44 and is POOR choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    79

    Leica X1 gets a score of 79 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.70"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Leica X1 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)

    Travel Photography

    EXCELLENT
    85

    Leica X1 gets a score of 85 and is EXCELLENT choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)

    Leica X1 Evaluation

    We evaluate Leica X1 and give score of 53 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    53

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    63

    We give Leica X1 a score of 63 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

    Photo

    POOR
    54

    We give Leica X1 a score of 54 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Leica X1 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    61

    We give Leica X1 a score of 61 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    POOR
    50

    We give Leica X1 a score of 50 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.70"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Viewfinder

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    60

    We give Leica X1 a score of 60 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    52

    We give Leica X1 a score of 52 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 306 g (0.67 lb / 10.79 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
    ZKelectronics is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (.com, .co.uk, .ca, etc) and any other websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.