Leica X1 is a compact fixed-lens, large-sensor digital camera by Leica. The pre-production model was released to reviewers in September 2009.

Leica X1
Overview
MakerLeica
TypeLarge sensor fixed-lens camera
Released2009/9/9
Lens
LensLeica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 (35 mm equivalent)
Sensor/medium
Sensor typeCMOS
Sensor size23.6 x 15.7 mm (APS-C type)
Maximum resolution4272 x 2586 (12 megapixels)
Film speed100-3200
Recording mediumSD or SDHC card
Focusing
Focus areas11 focus points
Shutter
Shutter speeds1/2000s to 30s
Continuous shooting3 frames per second
Image processing
White balanceYes
General
LCD screen2.7 inches with 230,000 pixels
Body featuresAll-metal body, high-grip leather trim
Dimensions123.2 x 63.5 x 50.3 mm (4.85 x 2.50 x 1.98 inches)
Weight306g including battery

Leica X1 uses an APS-C (23.6 mm × 15.8 mm) format CMOS sensor with 12.2 megapixels (4272 × 2856 pixels, 3:2 aspect ratio). Fixed 24 mm/2.8 prime lens, equivalent to 36 mm focal length for a 35 mm camera, contains 8 elements in 6 groups. The lens extends to working position on power-up and retracts on power-down.

The camera is retro-styled, mimicking Leica rangefinder cameras of the past and the digital Leica M9, in a substantially smaller package sized 60 mm × 124 mm × 32 mm and weighing approximately 315 grams (11.1 oz) with battery. It is equipped with a flash hot shoe and a manually operated built-in flash, although the latter has guide number of only 5, considerably smaller than that of built-in flashes of entry-level DSLRs.

Image stabilization is neither lens-based nor sensor-based, but relies on a unique method Leica developed for this camera – combining two images into one.

The Leica X1's image stabilization (combining two images into one) has the effect of improving the percentage of acceptably sharp images when taken handheld in low light at shutter speeds of 1/30 second, or slightly less if a very steady hand is used. On the other hand, those "acceptably sharp" images will show a slight blur when viewed at 100 percent, as compared to sharp images taken with the image stabilization turned off. This very slight blur is due to the unavoidable small movement of the camera as it takes the two images it needs to combine for image stabilization purposes.

As of July 13, 2010, the Leica X1 was the first compact camera to be approved by Getty Images for submissions to their image library,[1][2][3] and remained the only compact camera ever on that list, as on April 27, 2011, Getty published a revised wording of its technical requirements that no longer dictated what cameras could be used.[4]

See also

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References

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  • Westlake, Andy (September 2009). "Leica X1 preview". dpreview.com. Retrieved 2009-10-10.
  • Westlake, Andy (December 2009). "Leica X1 review". dpreview.com. Retrieved 2010-05-15.
  1. ^ "Getty Images Contributor Community". contributors.gettyimages.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-12.
  2. ^ "Leica X1 Becomes the First Compact on Getty's Approved Cameras List". 6 August 2010.
  3. ^ Laurent, Olivier (6 August 2010). "Getty Images approves first compact camera". British Journal of Photography. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  4. ^ "Getty Images Contributor Community". contributors.gettyimages.com. Archived from the original on 2014-08-12.
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