Leica X2 at a glance:
- 16.2-million-pixel, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor
- Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 lens
- ISO 100-12,500
- Optional EVF
- Metal body
- Street price around £1,575
It has been almost three years since Leica released its X1 compact camera. At the time, it faced little competition as the only other compact cameras with large APS-C-sized sensors were the Sigma DP1 and DP2. Since then, the market has shifted away from DSLRs, and compact system cameras have become the largest area of growth.
Faced with this new demand for smaller cameras with larger sensors, compact cameras have had to raise their game, and Sigma’s DP2 is now only one of many compacts featuring a large sensor that will compete with the Leica X2. For instance, Sony has recently announced the Cyber-shot DSC-RX100, which has a 1in sensor, while Canon’s PowerShot G1 X, with its near APS-C-sized sensor, has received much praise. However, it is the APS-C-format Fujifilm FinePix X100 that will provide the most direct comparison with the Leica X2. With so much competition, it will be interesting to see where the X2 sits among the current crop of cameras.
