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Review of Leica X-1

In the range of compact digital cameras, Leica X-1 stands out with its unique appearance and robust look from its counter part. When you are thinking of this German product, you are sure of its sturdy design and marvellous engineering.

If your preference is for bitingly sharp picture quality with true color rendering along with contrast ratio at optimum latitude, you will have to compromise for its fix prime lens construction. By all means, the eight elements (in six group) aspherical lens with 24 mm focal length (which is equivalent to 36 mm for 35 mm full film frame format) is designed to give optimum sharpness. The aspherical machining of the lens take care of spherical aberration. Barrel or pin cushion distortion is controlled by marvel of computerized optical design and you will enjoy the perfect straight vertical and horizontal lines in the composition. Multi-coated elements are crafted to minimize chromatic aberrations so there is no fringe in either blues or purples.

12.2 mega-pixels are the maximum (theoretical) limit at which CMOS sensors can be compressed for this half-frame equipment. Beyond that, you will loose sharpness for the given enlargement. I have tried a 19+ MP version but for image size in MB, it is not as promising as 12 MP version. Of course you will take the image quality in to account against the image size.

Maximum ISO is 3200, which again many of you will not appreciate but considering noise and grain artifice problem, Leica X-1 engineers have taken a good decision.

Fastest shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second could be questionable to some, for their counter part offering 1/4000 and 1/8000 but for the machine with a copal shutter, this is maximum. Never the less, in practical, how many times you have used these shutter speeds? Well, I have, in my life, never.

Leica X-1 is truly engineered for still photography without any nonsense fuss. The professional approach wisely eliminate motion picture capture mode and microphone. How ever, inclusion of speaker is not justified.

Separate aperture setting dial on the camera body is a bit difficult to get accustom with, till you practice. How ever, it is not a major issue especially when you are shooting on programme, automatic or shutter priority mode. Yet, I would have preferred it on the lens.

At a glance, it is difficult to identify it as a digital camera but it not all about how the camera looks, it is all about how the camera shows.

Abbas Saigara
Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:12:36 +0000

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