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Leica unveils a new rugged camera, the Leica X-U

By Marcus Wong & Azizul Rahman Ismail - on 11 Feb 2016, 5:06pm

Leica unveils a new rugged camera, the Leica X-U

The Leica X-U (Typ 113)

The Leica X-U (Typ 133) is the latest member in Leica's X family, and this time around, it's taking things up a notch. Launched in Wetzlar Germany more than a week ago, the X-U is actually a rugged camera that's more than capable of functioning under extreme conditions.

Built to be tough, the Leica X-U has a bright, fixed Leica Summilux 23mm f/1.7 ASPH lens (equivalent to 35mm focal length in 35mm format) that's paired with a 16.2MP APS-C format CMOS sensor which puts it a step above from the Leica Q and SL.

The design of the X-U is also unique. Leica worked with Audi Design to create a hardy camera that feels good in the hand and is undeniably Leica. Its body and lens feels chunkier compared to the other cameras in the X series, with a slightly rubbery feel reminiscent of neoprene (wet suit material). While the majority of the external of the camera is plastic, the feel of quality shines through though; the camera feels extremely solid in the hand.

The result is a camera that is dust-proof, water-proof up to depths of 15 meters for 60 minutes, and can survive drops from as high as 1.22 meters, while being certified to work in temperature ranges from 0-40oC.

We managed to get our hands on the X-U at the launch, and it feels like no other Leica camera, yet the Leica DNA is undeniably present. The controls are reminiscent of typical Leica digital cameras, with dials, and single function buttons that is far more practical for a tough camera compared to the contextual buttons that's on the S or SL.

As you can see, the buttons and LCD are all encased in a waterproof body.

The high-resolution, 3-inch monitor screen is also brilliant, making it easy to shoot under a myriad of lighting environments, but is especially useful when shooting underwater.

A departure from tradition is the lack of a carrying case, an almost staple luxury accessory of every Leica camera. But, with a build this tough, The Leica X-U doesn’t really need one. In fact, as part of the demonstration, Mr Sim Tiak Siew, Business Manager for Professional Systems, Leica Camera Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, repeated performed drop tests on the camera, dropping it from about three to four feet onto the floor of the Leica Gallery at Raffles Hotel Arcade, Singapore. 

The Leica X-U (Typ 113) retails for S$5,300 (price inclusive of GST) with a blue sleeve and is on sale now at all Leica Stores located at Raffles Hotel Arcade, Mandarin Gallery and ION Orchard, as well as Leica Authorised dealers.

*This report was adapted from a report by our HWZ Malaysia counterparts.

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