Have my last three camera entries been about Leica cameras?
Why, yes.
Yes, they have!
And here's another one!
Just announced: Leica X-U (Typ 113)
I had covered pretty much everything you need to know about the brand new Leica X-U in my first impressions video here:
For more specs, you can download the full spec sheet here.
Below are some sample photos that I managed to take at the launching event:
The Leica X-U belongs to a rare class of cameras, dominated by the likes of Olympus' Tough cameras and Nikon's AW cameras; but that doesn't mean it doesn't pack enough punch to challenge its competitors.
I, for one, see it as a great addition to the line-up of otherwise increasingly bland digital cameras that Leica has been producing.
It offers marvellous image quality, reliability and most of all, a justified worth of RM14,600.
Future owners of the X-U no longer have to relay the old "It's a Leica" excuse and can now proudly exclaim "It's an underwater Leica!".
The greatest shortcoming of the X-U, even without an in-depth hands-on test, is the absence of WiFi connectivity.
Of course, I wouldn't know how to incorporate any sort of WiFi transmitter into its body, nor do I know whether the R&D people have thought of this beforehand.
I just feel that it's a great pity that in an age where instant sharing is king, this introduction to Leica's 2016 is still behind on current technology.
What's more, as I mentioned in the video, the X-U is basically the X with an added rubber shell.
Same specs, same functionality and same tedious AF point selector; now even more difficult with the added dampening due to the thick rubber layer.
The X-U is interesting as much as it is uninteresting.
Specs and features-wise, you don't have any improvement.
But practicality and usage-wise, it's a whole new world of possibilities!
Until I can get my hands on a Leica X-U to explore and exploit, I'll leave my final judgement to another day.
Thanks for dropping by!
Check out all the photos from this first impressions and more at my Flickr gallery here.
Check out my YouTube channel here for vlogs, tutorials, and reviews!
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