Features

Overview: The Leica X-U (Typ 113) is an "adventure-tested" digital camera with unparalleled performance. The camera is shockproof, and sealed to protect it from water and dust. Even though it is built to defy the elements, the X-U features high quality optics and an APS-C image sensor for spectacular image quality. The Leica X-U comes with a slip-on rubberized lens cap, rechargeable battery, battery charger, and padded neck strap.

3" LCD Monitor: The camera has a 3" TFT LCD monitor with approximately 920,000 pixels. The brightness can be set to Low, Medium Low, Standard, Medium High, and High. You can adjust the monitor's color settings in 10 levels of intensity in the direction of yellow, green, blue, or magenta. You can set the LCD to automatically turn off after 30 seconds or 1 minute of camera inactivity.

Lens: The X-U is equipped with Leica Summilux 23mm f/1.7 ASPH lens. The focal length and field of view equals that of a 35mm lens in the 35mm format. The aperture range is f/1.7 to f/16 in 1/3 EV increments. The lens can focus from approximately 7.78" (20cm) to ∞ (infinity). The lens features 10 elements in 8 groups, including 4 aspherical surfaces, and is sealed with underwater (UW) protective glass.

Image Sensor: The camera features a 23.6 x 15.7mm APS-C sized CMOS image sensor, with 16.5-million total pixels and 16.2 effective pixels. The sensor has a native 3:2 aspect ratio.

Still Image Recording: The Leica X-U can record still images in JPEG in Super Fine and Fine compression rates, as well as DNG (RAW) format. JPEG images can be recorded in 5 sizes: 16MP (4928 x 3264), 12.2MP (4272 x 2856), 7MP (3264 x 2160), 3MP (2144 x 1424), and 1.8MP (1632 x 1080). DNG "digital negatives" are taken from raw data at the maximum resolution of the image sensor (4944 x 3278). You will need additional software, such as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, to edit DNG data and convert it to JPEG or other formats. The camera can also record both DNG and JPEG at the same time (DNG + JPG Super Fine or DNG + JPG Fine).

Shooting Modes: The power switch, which surrounds the shutter release button, has three settings: Off, S, and C. Setting the camera to S (Single) lets you take individual exposures with each press of the shutter release. If the switch is set to C (Continuous) for serial exposures. You can choose frame rates of Low (3 frames per second) or High (5 fps). The High rate is only available with shutter speeds of 1/60s or faster. After 7 pictures are taken, the frame rate declines slightly because of the time required to transfer the data from the buffer memory to the card.

Video Recording: In addition to shooting stills, the X-U can record videos in MP4 format. You can choose between 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720, both at 30 fps.

Memory Cards: The X-U has a memory card slot that will accept SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards.

Rugged Design: The Leica X-U is built to perform, even under the toughest conditions. The camera body is sealed to prevent dust and water to enter, and a double locking system for the battery compartment and memory card slot. This gives the camera an IP68 waterproof and dustproof rating, and the ability to withstand depths of up to 49 feet (15 meters) for up to 60 minutes. The protective TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) armor gives you a sure grip and the top and bottom plates are made of premium aluminum. The camera is in compliance with MIL-STD 810G, giving it the ability to withstand a 4-foot drop.

Shooting Underwater: The camera's Underwater Mode includes a special white balance function to correct the color filtering that takes place under water. In addition to diminishing natural light at underwater depths, the color red disappears at about 16', orange at around 50', and yellow at approximately 100' depth. The built-in flash should only be used in depths of up to 16 feet. For greater depths, an external, underwater-capable flash unit should be used.

Distance Setting (Focus): The camera can be set to Auto or Manual focusing. The focusing range is 7.78" to infinity. The focusing ring rotates to set the distance manually. The ring has distances markings at 0.2', 0.3', 0.4', 0.6', 1', 2', and ∞. Turning the ring beyond "infinity" sets the camera for Auto Focus (AF). In poor lighting conditions, the AF Auxiliary Light turns on when you press the shutter release to extend the operating range of the AF system.

MF Assist: When in Manual Focus, the MF Assist mode offers assistance to obtaining a sharp focus by enlarging the center section of the subject by approximately 6x. The enlarged detail will disappear after about 5 seconds after the last focus adjustment. The feature can be turned on/off in the menu.

Exposure: The Leica X-U offers four exposure modes: Automatic Program (P), Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Speed Priority (T), and Manual Exposure (M). You can select the exposure mode by setting the Aperture and Shutter speed dials. Other exposure-related features include:

• Exposure Compensation: In P, T, and A modes, you can adjust the exposure from +3 to -3 EV in 1/3 EV increments to make the exposure darker or lighter as desired.
• Automatic Bracketing: Bracketing allows you to take a series of three pictures with graduated exposures. The graduations are produced by changing the shutter speed for the P, A, and M modes, or the aperture for the T mode. You can vary the exposure from +3 to -3 EV in 1/3 EV steps. You can then choose the best picture for your use.
• Exposure Metering: The camera offers three exposure metering methods: Multi-field Metering, Center-weighted Metering, and Spot Metering.
• White Balance: White balance makes sure the color rendering is natural regardless of the light source. You can choose from the following: Automatic WB, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen lighting, Shadow, Electronic Flash, two manual settings, and two manual color temperature settings.
• ISO Sensitivity: The camera can set the ISO speed automatically or manually. With Auto ISO, the sensitivity range and slowest shutter speed can be specified. You can also set the ISO manually between ISO 100 and ISO 12500 in 1 EV increments.

Flash Photography: The X-U has a built-in flash unit integrated into the front housing of the lens. The built-in flash has an operating range of 11.8" to 6.5', and a recharge time of about 5 seconds. It also has an accessory shoe for adding an external flash. Flash modes include:

• Automatic Flash: The flash is automatically activated whenever longer shutter speeds due to poor lighting conditions would lead to blurred pictures.
• Automatic Flash with Pre-Flash: A Pre-Flash is triggered just before the main flash when you press the shutter button. This reduces the "red eye" effect that occurs when the subject looks directly into the camera.
• Fill Flash: When shooting back-lit subjects, the Fill Flash will trigger, regardless of the lighting conditions. The flash power is controlled, according to the metered external brightness.
• Manual Flash with Pre-Flash: This mode is the same as Fill Flash, but with a Pre-Flash to control "red-eye" effect.
• Auto Flash with Slower Shutter Speeds: The flash takes into account the longer shutter speeds needed to illuminate objects the background.
• Auto Flash with Slower Shutter Speeds and Pre-Flash: This mode is the same as above, but with a Pre-Flash to control "red-eye" effect.
• Flash Disabled: The flash does not fire, even in low light situations.

Auto Review: After a photo has been recorded, the image will automatically appear in the monitor. In the menu, you can adjust the Auto Review setting to the following: 1 second, 3 seconds, 5 seconds, Hold (until you press the shutter release halfway again), or Zoom (shows the center section of the photo enlarged for focus check).

Image Playback: The Leica X-U lets you play back still images one at a time, or in an index of 16 thumbnail images. Individual images can be enlarged up to 16x.

Power Requirements: The camera is powered by the Leica BP-DC8 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (3.7V, 1600mAh, 6.0Wh). The battery charges in approximately 3 hours 20 minutes using the supplied BC-DC8 battery charger. A fully charged battery has the capacity for approximately 450 exposures.