A compact 35mm point-and-shoot with a Leica-branded lens and fully automatic exposure, made in Japan during a brief collaboration era.
Overview
The Leica Mini II is a 35mm autofocus compact camera released by Leica, with production years cited as both 1991 and 1993 in different sources. It’s a fully automatic point-and-shoot designed for simplicity, with auto-exposure handling both shutter and aperture settings based on scene conditions. Marketed as a more affordable and less conspicuous package compared to Leica’s rangefinders, it features a fixed Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 lens and a built-in flash that activates automatically or via manual override. The body is constructed from plastic and was made in Japan. A QD variant exists, offering additional control over film speed settings. With 50,000 units assigned serial numbers in 1993, production appears limited, though exact total numbers remain unclear.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Leica |
| Product type | Autofocus 35mm compact camera |
| Lens | Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.65m |
| Shutter speed range | 1/5s - 1/250s |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film speed settings | Automatic for DX-coded films (50–1000 ISO); QD variant also supports manual 100 ISO |
| Exposure | Auto Exposure |
| Flash | Built-in flash, automatic or manual override |
| Power source | 3V lithium battery (CR123A) |
| Body | Plastic |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | Conflicting sources: 117 x 63 x 42 mm, 118 x 65 x 41 mm, and 118 x 65 x 38.5 mm |
| Weight | 160 g |
Design
The Leica Mini II features a plastic body made in Japan, with a minimalist form typical of 1990s point-and-shoots. It houses a fixed Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 lens and integrates a built-in flash with user-selectable activation. The design emphasizes compactness and ease of use, with fully automatic operation requiring no manual input for exposure or focus.
Context
The Leica Mini II was released in 1993 as part of a collaboration with Minolta, upon whose Freedom Escort platform it is based. This rebranding reflects a period when Leica expanded its lineup with more accessible, mass-market compact cameras while maintaining its optical branding.
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