Topic: I am considering a Leica X1 for travel. Is there something better with an APS-C? (Read 7453 times)

hasselbladfan · « **on:** January 30, 2012, 12:39:29 pm »

What I need (when I don't take an M8 or MF):

Small enough to stay in a large coat pocket
Good size sensor for skintones / enlargements (A3)
No need for zoom, prefer a 28-35mm equivalent
Not too complicated

Anybody experience with X1?

hasselbladfan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2012, 12:53:38 pm »

It is probably obvious, but above all I am looking for the best picture quality.

Fips · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2012, 01:06:21 pm »

Have you seen the new Canon G1X? Might be a bit more clumsy and you'd have to live with a zoom lens, but it does offer a (small) optical viewfinder and I'd venture a guess that the image quality will be a least as good as the Leica.

DaveCurtis · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2012, 03:59:59 am »

What about a Fuji X100. Fixed 35mm equiv. lens and better than an X1.

hasselbladfan · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2012, 04:56:12 am »

I liked it when I saw it. But then I heard about so many first batch problems, complicated menus and so on.

Why do you believe it is better than the X1?

Fips · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2012, 04:58:54 am »

Quote

Why do you believe it is better than the X1?

Makes me wonder, too. As far as I know it's not shipping yet.

Steve Weldon · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2012, 05:41:06 am »

Quote from: Fips on January 31, 2012, 04:58:54 am

Makes me wonder, too. As far as I know it's not shipping yet.

The Fuji x100 is indeed shipping and has been since last April.. but it is in short supply after the problems they've had in Japan since last year.

The Fuji x100 does meet the OP's listed requirements so he should give it a good look. The issues with the menus were largely addressed in the first major firmware revision. It's a good solid camera with very good image quality and a great fast lens.

Fips · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2012, 06:24:35 am »

I know the X100 has been out for a long time now. But how can one say it's better than something that hasn't been released yet?
Don't get me wrong: I'm not saying, the thread opener shouldn't look at the X100.

hasselbladfan · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2012, 11:34:06 am »

Anybody good or bad experiences with the X1?

Would love to hear some personal comments from users.

JohnBrew · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2012, 12:04:28 pm »

Go to the Leica Users Forum - more info than you ever wanted.

hellbike · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2012, 04:50:35 pm »

fuji x-pro1 is coming out soon (mirrorless with aps-c sensor)

hasselbladfan · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2012, 03:59:38 am »

True but it is even bigger than my M8 / M9, so why change. I want something small for my pocket.

Fuji 5.5 x 3.2 x 1.7
M9 5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46

amsp · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2012, 08:44:11 pm »

A Fuji X10 would fit the bill. Nice and compact + large f/2-2.8 aperture.

stever · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2012, 12:04:42 am »

i thought the X10 would be a good choice based on specs and some amount of hype. unfortunately the resolution is poor, high ISO noise is poor, and the UI has some serious errors and omissions - it is a small-sensor camera with nice physical design and build quality at a high price. wasted more time than i should have befrore returning it

will soon have a GX1 with X zoom - based on a quick test of G3, this should be a pocketable (large pocket) camera with near-APSC IQ and useable UI, even if the power zoom is a bit of a nuisance

amsp · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2012, 02:44:09 pm »

The Ricoh GXR A12 Leica M Mount Module might be an option too.

jalcocer · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2012, 03:02:29 pm »

+1 on the Fuji x100

hasselbladfan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2012, 04:52:07 pm »

I wish they had stayed with an APS-C. I will not go for a mini-sensor.

DeeJay · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2012, 01:52:43 pm »

I have the Leica X1. It's one of the best cameras, let alone compacts, that I've ever owned. The quality is mind blowingly good and you will find it matches or probably betters an SLR of the same resolution and quite possibly more. It beats my Canon 5D for colour, detail micro contrast. The large chip and outstanding lens make for some incredible pictures. There's next no barrel distortion on the lens, unlike the Fuji, which is so important for a camera like this with taking decent portraits. 100% crops are eye poppingly good. Really, the whole experience in such a small, simple and effortless design is really liberating.

It does have it quirks, the focus is a bit on the slow side (not much slower than the Fuji x100 though) but personally I found once you know what they are and you are used to them you find your way around them. It has a manual focus function on it that I love and use a lot.

To give you an idea I spent months researching and I found nothing that compared to the Leica X1. I was so taken by the quality of the camera that I've now bought an M9 kit and done away with the Canons.

The pics speak for themselves - Have a look at the output from this guy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparth/sets/72157625708420826/

hasselbladfan · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2012, 05:04:36 pm »

DeeJay,

It is indeed very good. Love the silhouettes.

Thanks.

gubaguba · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2012, 10:00:56 am »

My guess would be probably for that amount of money. A review of it is here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/leicax1/
I think if you paired either an Olympus or Panasonic M4/3 with a good lens you be in the neighborhood with image quality for less money. Plus you have many more lens options. I have been using the E-P1 for a while as my carry around camera. The folding kit lens is surprisingly good. It is a couple years old and newer version only have gotten better. Like everything its a compromise.

Paul

Author Topic: I am considering a Leica X1 for travel. Is there something better with an APS-C? (Read 7453 times)

jalcocer