The Leica X Vario

I like it, the price is insane, I think they'll correct that.

As I've said before, a Tri-Elmar, rather than a zoom would have been a better idea, plenty of people are snobby about zooms, but everyone loves a Tri-Elmar!

At a more reasonable price, this would be a good camera.
 
the X Vario to me is the equivalent of an entry level DSLR with kit lens.

not really trying to knock it the best i can, but meaning that the camera itself just seems limiting. it will almost limit it to mostly (if not exclusively) point and shoots. this is what many people have mentioned already.

i took a look at some of the images on flickr and so far nothing is catching my eye. IQ is nothing to write home about. i'd actually prefer an X1 or X2 over this.
 
tarullifoto said:
I would love to have seen something like an X-2 with an M mount. Focus could be assisted by some combination of peaking, digital split image, and centre magnification, either on the LCD screen or in an optional EVF. That's what I was hoping to see. I'm very disappointed by this offering.
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I Think I understand what you are saying, but from a Leica point of view they already make this in the Leica M. So it doesn't really make sense to make the same again.

The x vario is actually pretty similar to the Digilux 2 which Leica made some time ago. Only with the new sensor and the years of development in between, it is much more powerful than that.
 
raphaelaaron said:
the X Vario to me is the equivalent of an entry level DSLR with kit lens.

not really trying to knock it the best i can, but meaning that the camera itself just seems limiting. it will almost limit it to mostly (if not exclusively) point and shoots. this is what many people have mentioned already.

i took a look at some of the images on flickr and so far nothing is catching my eye. IQ is nothing to write home about. i'd actually prefer an X1 or X2 over this.
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On the contray, I think with the abundance of manual controld on the x vario, it is more of an experienced photographers camera. If you have come from a film background, then operationally the x vario is very similar to what you are used to. Without the modes, touchscreen and so forth to have to contend with, it is pretty direct and quite simple.

I guess there will be a number of people out there who, like you, prefer the X2 and I also suppose that is why Leica make both. However, for someone like me, digital is ALL about convenience and the X Vario is the most convenient digital camera that Leica make.

I don't really think it's appropriate to evaluate a camera by looking at Flickr either.
 
It is overpriced just like all leica gears.
But I would wait for some sample images first before making the conclusion this is the worst camera ever.
Lens is a slow zoom, maybe a very good slow zoom?
 
I just don't get how they get anyone to buy something that is technically not as good as cheaper cameras out there. Even if I had 5 million dollars I would choose an x-pro1, rx1, nex 6/7 or even a small dslr over it. You can buy an X-pro1 with zoom for half of that and it has a built in hybrid viewfinder AND you can change the lens.
 
Dunn said:
I just don't get how they get anyone to buy something that is technically not as good as cheaper cameras out there. Even if I had 5 million dollars I would choose an x-pro1, rx1, nex 6/7 or even a small dslr over it. You can buy an X-pro1 with zoom for half of that and it has a built in hybrid viewfinder AND you can change the lens.
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Is it technically inferior? How do you know? Based on what data? It has only been out two days...
 
Sorry, I just don't get Leica's rationale.

They already make an absolutely lovely variable lens for a slightly smaller sensor. The vario-Summilux used in the D-Lux 6 (and Panasonic LX7) is quite fast (at f1.4), very compact, and has an extended range of 24-90mm equivalent. And all for a street price of just over $300 for the Panasonic and about $800 for the D-Lux 6 entire camera systems.

You'd think a company that takes such pride in its engineering abilities could make a similar lens for this slightly larger sensor without having to compromise ALL of the above features so drastically.
 
Having just bought a Lumix GH-3, which enables me to use a wide range of existing primes and vario lenses, I will give this one a miss.
 
The model name: mini M, raised so much expectation. (Digital CL or screw mount camera format) Calling it an M caused many of us to think M mount changeable lenses.
 
My daughter is far more fashion conscious than I and she loves it! She cannot understand why I don't like it. She is already trying to figure out how to afford one. I suspect there are a lot of other people who will like it as well.
 
Mark T said:
I Think I understand what you are saying, but from a Leica point of view they already make this in the Leica M. So it doesn't really make sense to make the same again.

The x vario is actually pretty similar to the Digilux 2 which Leica made some time ago. Only with the new sensor and the years of development in between, it is much more powerful than that.
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I can understand that to some extent. I agree it's more powerful than the Digilux, but even it had an EVF, if I recall correctly.

I think a digital CL would have been nice, but too much to ask in today's market, in which rangefinders represent a much smaller segment than they did, even in the 1980s. But I would have thought there was some room for a rangefinder-less M-mount model in the line; much like the M1. Even the M1 had an M mount and an optical viewfinder window.

I suppose there's no point griping about it; the thing is what it is. It's just disappointing that given two markets - serious photographers and luxury consumers - both willing to pay Leica's price for the model they want, Leica chose the latter. That likely would not have been the case at the height of the M series' popularity.

The company's responsibility is to its shareholders, though, and not to us, and serious photographers are probably both less profitable than, and outnumbered by, the luxury consumers.
 
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Comparing the X-vario specs to the specs of the Fuji XE1 zoom kit, the Leica is disappointing.
Eventually I'd like to see them side by side to see how much smaller the slower LEICA lens is.
In any case, it's not for me.
 
the camera the world waited for..too big for a pocket, a really slow lens,no finder fitted, an expensive finder available at twice the original price..
the Mini-label, the HUGE price tag.
I realized that one could buy a Nikon D600, Canon 5Mk3 or many other top end boxes and lenses. Sure they are bigger, but if it don't fit a pocket, what the heck!
The problem is so many like me..fixed income,short fingers-very deep pockets and a rational that it is not for me. I want value for my money.
Of course the really big problem is my M3 1967 still functioning fine!
 
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