Leica X-U

    57
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    Highlights

    • 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 12,500 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points
    • 3.0" 920k dot Fully Articulated Screen
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Leica X-U was announced in 2016 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm) Advanced Compact camera with 16.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 12,500. The camera has a Fully Articulated 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution.

    Leica X-U can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

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

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots

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

    AVERAGE

    •   Price
    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.40 oz)

    Screen

    Fully Articulated screen

    Leica X-U has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 920k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes this camera selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

    Sensor

    Leica X-U features a 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 370.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,500.

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution.


    No Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have an image stabilization.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Leica X-U.

    Leica X (Typ 113)
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.2 MP

    Leica X Vario
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Leica X1
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.2 MP

    Leica X2
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Canon R6 II
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.2 MP

    Canon R7
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    32.5 MP

    Nikon Z30
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    20.9 MP

    Canon R3
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.1 MP

    Canon R5 C
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.0 MP

    Canon 5DS R
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Nikon Z8
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    45.7 MP

    Canon R50
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    NFC

    Leica X-U has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.


    USB Input

    Leica X-U has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    Battery

    Leica X-U comes with BP-DC8 battery pack with battery life of 450 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Leica X-U's shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Flash

    Leica X-U has a built-in flash with maximum range of 2.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount.

    Physical Parameters

    Leica X-U has dimensions of 140 x 79 x 88 mm (5.51 x 3.11 x 3.46"). It weighs 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.40 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    140 mm (5.51")

    79 mm (3.11")

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    79 mm (3.11")

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    88 mm (3.46")

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    Leica X-U dimensions

    Leica X-U 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 X-U is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    79

    Leica X-U gets a score of 79 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    58

    Leica X-U gets a score of 58 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    62

    Leica X-U gets a score of 62 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    73

    Leica X-U gets a score of 73 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Leica X-U gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.40 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Leica X-U gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.40 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots

    Leica X-U Evaluation

    We evaluate Leica X-U and give score of 57 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
    57

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Leica X-U a score of 65 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.2 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    56

    We give Leica X-U a score of 56 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

    Video

    BAD
    14

    We give Leica X-U a score of 14 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    66

    We give Leica X-U a score of 66 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    71

    We give Leica X-U a score of 71 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Viewfinder

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Leica X-U a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

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

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    71

    We give Leica X-U a score of 71 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 635 g (1.40 lb / 22.40 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots


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

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