Leica X Vario (2013)

Name: Leica X Vario
Brand: Leica

A digital compact camera combining an APS-C sensor with a built-in zoom lens, announced in 2013.

Overview

The Leica X Vario is a digital large sensor compact camera, officially announced on June 11, 2013. It was the world's first compact camera to pair a large APS-C format CMOS image sensor with a built-in zoom lens. The full name is Leica X Vario (Typ 107). The lens is a fixed Leica Vario-Elmar 18-46mm f/3.5-6.4 ASPH., equivalent to 28-70mm in 35mm format. The body is compact, built from metal and leather, with an aluminum top plate. There is no built-in electronic viewfinder. Black and silver variants were available at launch, and the model was discontinued as of 2016.

Specifications

Manufacturer	Leica Camera
Product type	Compact camera
Sensor	CMOS
Sensor size	APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm)
Effective pixels	16.1 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	17 megapixels
Lens	Leica Vario-Elmar 18-46 mm f/3.5-6.4 ASPH.
Lens equivalent	28-70mm (35mm format)
Image resolution	4928 x 3272
Display	3 inches with 920,000 dots
Dimensions (W x H x D)	133 x 73 x 95 mm
Weight	679 g (including battery)
Battery Life (CIPA)	450 shots
Construction	Metal and leather, aluminum top plate
Order numbers	18 430 (black), 18 431 (silver)
Original price	$2,849
Status	Discontinued

Design

The Leica X Vario puts an APS-C CMOS sensor in a compact body with a fixed zoom lens, a first for its class at launch. The construction is metal with an aluminum top plate and leather covering, which gives it a solid feel. It has no built-in electronic viewfinder.

Context

Announced on June 11, 2013, the Leica X Vario was positioned as a high-end compact with an unusual combination of a large sensor and a zoom lens. Its high retail price made the reception controversial. It was later described as an underappreciated model that kept confounding critics. The camera was discontinued by 2016.

Market

The Leica X Vario launched with a recommended retail price of $2,849. It was marketed as a premium compact. Critics complained about the price at first, but in the used market it gained recognition as a capable and under-loved model.