APS-C sensor and f/2.8 aperture
In addition to the obvious benefit of producing lower levels of noise, a larger sensor allows greater control over depth of field.
This enables backgrounds to be blurred and subjects isolated from their surroundings when larger apertures are used.
As the Leica X1 has a lens with a fairly large aperture of f/2.8, it is possible to separate even quite close objects.
The key when restricting depth of field is to place the focus accurately.
Provided the light is good and the subject has reasonable contrast, the easiest way to do this is with the X1’s AF mode set to spot.
The AF point can then be moved to one of 195 locations by pressing the Delete/Focus button for a second.
Then use the navigation controls to select the correct point.
In most cases I found there is an AF point just where I needed it.
Images: Using an aperture of f/2.8 enabled me to blur even quite close objects in these shots
