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Leica Makes A Splash With Leica X-U, Its First Underwater Camera
20 January 2016
Leica has announced the compact Leica X-U (Typ 113), a shock-resistant, waterproof and dust resistant compact. The company said the X-U is its first camera designed for extreme outdoor and underwater use.
Front. Note the integrated non-popup flash and large shutter button.
Matching a 16.5-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor to a fast Summilux 23mm f1.7 ASPH lens, the fully waterproofed (not merely water resistant) camera can function at depths of up to 49 feet. A 3.0-inch LCD complements the simple control layout highlighted by an underwater snapshot button.
Back. Anti-slip armor, hardened LCD cover, sealed buttons.
Made in Germany in collaboration with Audi Design, the X-U's non-slip body features a hardened protective cover for the monitor screen, with a failsafe double locking system for the battery compartment and memory card slot. The control dials are aluminium and the top plate is aluminium with an anti-slip TPE protective armor. An integrated flash, essential for underwater imaging, sits above the lens.
In addition to stills, the X-U also records 1920x1080- or 1280x720-pixel video at 30 frames per second in MP4.
SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications for the Leica X-U include:
LEICA X-U SPECIFICATIONS Sensor 16.5-megapixels
APS-C CMOSFile Formats DNG and JPEG stills at 4944x3278 pixels
MP4 movies at 1920x1080 or 1280x720, 30 fpsLens 10 elements in 8 groups, 2 aspherical Focal Length 23mm (35 mm equivalent: 35mm) Aperture f1.7 to f16 Focus Range 7.87 inches to Infinity Sensitivity Auto, ISO 100 to 12,500 Shutter 30 seconds to 1/2000 second Flash Modes First Curtain Sync, Auto, Fill-in, Red-eye Reduction, Second-Curtain Sync, Slow Sync, Studio Flash Range 0.98 to 6.56 feet Memory Cards SD, SDHC, SDXC LCD 3.0-inch LCD with 920,000 dots Waterproofing To 49 feet Power BP-DC8 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack
3.7 VDC, 1600 mAhDimensions 5.5 x 3.1 x 3.5 inches Weight 1.40 lb. PRICE, AVAILABILITY
Priced at $2,950, the Leica X-U (Typ 113) will be available by the end of January, the company said. Adorama and B&H are now accepting pre-orders.
Introducing The First Outdoor & Underwater Camera From Leica: the Leica X-U (Typ 113)
The new shock-resistant, waterproof and dust resistant compact provides outstanding picture quality under even the harshest conditions
Leica Camera today announced the newest addition to its range of cameras, the Leica X-U (Typ 113), the first model designed specifically for extreme outdoor and underwater use. Incredible ruggedness and easy handling make this waterproof, shock-resistant, winterized and dust-sealed camera the ideal companion for every outdoor tour or expedition; great for action and underwater adventures, travel and landscape photography, even in full HD video.
Optimal picture quality with the Leica X-U is guaranteed by the same cutting-edge technology of all cameras in the Leica family. Combined with the high performance APS-C format CMOS sensor of 16.5 megapixels, its Leica Summilux 23mm f1.7 ASPH lens ensures natural color reproduction with maximum detail and sharpness, while the camera's fast maximum aperture of f1.7 allows for selective focusing. With its rugged underwater protection filter, the fully waterproofed camera guarantees pictures with exceptional brightness and clarity under even the harshest conditions and at depths of up to 49 feet.
Although all settings and features can each be changed individually, the intuitive handling of the Leica X-U follows Leica's philosophy of a focus on the essentials. The options for automatic functions and the high-resolution, 3.0-inch LCD monitor help photographers find the precise settings in seconds, to avoid missing a moment. For the underwater photographer, the underwater snapshot button makes it easy to capture an image at the press of a button, without having to search through a menu.
Made in Germany in collaboration with Audi Design, the stylish and minimal design of the Leica X-U ensures easy, intuitive handling and ultimate precision. The sleek, eye-catching camera features a top plate made from premium aluminium and an anti-slip TPE protective armor. Aluminium control dials show an attention to detail and an integrated flash above the lens provides exceptional picture quality when no natural light is available. Finally, the X-U's non-slip body features a hardened protective cover for the monitor screen, with a failsafe double locking system for the battery compartment and memory card slot, to ensure total safety and control in all conditions.
When a single photo is not enough to capture the moment, the full HD video function of the Leica X-U makes it easy to capture moving pictures in high definition quality. The camera records video in a choice of 1920x1080 or 1280x720 pixel resolution at 30 frames per second in MP4 video format, delivering high-quality results that perfectly capture any adventure or journey.
The Leica X-U (Typ 113), priced at $2,950 will be available by the end of January at your local Leica Store, Leica Boutique or Leica Dealer.