Leica X U Typ 113 Review | 108 Data compared

The Leica X-U (Typ 113) is a unique, ruggedized compact camera featuring a large APS-C sensor and a bright f/1.7 Summilux lens, offering exceptional image quality and durability. It is waterproof up to 49 feet and shockproof from 4-foot drops, complemented by a grippy rubber exterior and intuitive physical dials. However, the camera is limited by slow autofocus, a lack of Wi-Fi connectivity, and a tendency to overexpose Raw images. Furthermore, its high $2,950 price tag makes it a significant investment, despite delivering SLR-quality, rugged performance. PCMag

The Leica X-U (Typ 113) is reviewed as a highly specialized, rugged "adventure camera" designed to deliver exceptional image quality in extreme environments without the need for bulky external housings. Built on the foundations of the land-locked Leica X (Typ 113), it pairs a large 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor with a fast 23mm f/1.7 Summilux lens (35mm equivalent). The reviewer heavily praises its durability, testing it across a series of intense activities including snorkeling in Key Largo, handling crashing waves at the beach, and surviving a grueling 8-mile, mud-soaked Savage Race. Pros: Rugged Build: Fully waterproof down to 15 metres (60 feet) for 60 minutes, dustproof/sandproof, and shockproof against drops up to 1.2 metres (4 feet). Superior Image Quality: The APS-C sensor is up to 12 times larger than standard action cameras, yielding excellent dynamic range, high ISO performance, and raw (DNG) file flexibility. Thoughtful Ergonomics: Features larger control dials for glove-wearing users, a dedicated "UW" button for instant underwater color/distortion correction, and a front-of-lens flash placement to eliminate lens shadows. Cons: Depth Limitations: Serious divers going past 15 metres...

The Amateur Photographer field test highlights the Leica X-U as a ruggedized, "beefed-up" version of the Leica X, featuring a high-quality, fixed 23mm f/1.7 Summilux lens and a large APS-C CMOS sensor that delivers exceptional image quality and raw file flexibility. Its robust, rubberized exterior is praised for providing reliable protection in harsh environments. However, the review cites a lethargic autofocus that struggles with fast-moving subjects. Additional limitations include a slow mechanical shutter restricting wide-aperture shooting in bright light, the lack of a built-in viewfinder, and basic video capabilities. Amateur Photographer

The ⁠PCMag review of the Leica X-U (Typ 113) highlights it as a ruggedized, waterproof compact camera built around a massive, SLR-sized APS-C image sensor. A major pro of this device is its specialized design, which is waterproof to depths of 49 feet and shockproof against 4-foot drops. It is wrapped in a highly grippy, comfortable rubber shell that accommodates diving gloves. The camera features an exceptionally sharp 23mm f/1.7 prime lens (providing a 35mm full-frame equivalent field of view) that delivers high-resolution, detailed images. Testers also praised its clean manual focus experience, a high-quality rear LCD, and robust image clarity when shooting at higher ISO settings up to ISO 1600. PCMag Conversely, the review exposes several significant cons and performance quirks that hold the camera back. Its most notable disadvantage is the steep $2,950 retail price tag, positioning it as an expensive luxury item compared to practical alternatives like the Olympus Tough TG-4. Mechanically, the autofocus system is sluggish, requiring a notable 0.4 seconds to lock onto targets. The camera also restricts user control by automatically closing down the...

The Leica X-U underwater camera review highlights a highly specialized, pro-grade compact camera that excels in durability but falls short in fast-paced performance. On the positive side, the camera boasts exceptional build quality with an anti-slip rubber exterior, making it dustproof, shatterproof, and waterproof up to 15 metres for 60 minutes. Reviewer Suzi Pratt praised its simple, intuitive user interface, large responsive dials, and full manual controls, which made shooting an absolute joy. Thanks to its 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, fast fixed Summilux 23mm f/1.7 lens, and strong manual focus experience, it delivers great image quality for static subjects, landscapes, and even night astrophotography. However, the camera suffers from significant performance limitations and a staggering $2,999 USD price tag. Its primary drawback is a sluggish autofocus system that consistently fails to capture moving objects, resulting in many out-of-focus shots during action scenarios. Furthermore, the full HD video recording capability is described as completely sub-par, failing to match the video quality of standard smartphones. Additional design flaws include its heavy 1.32 lbs "chunky" body that does not float, a loosely...

The Leica X-U is a highly durable, waterproof, and shockproof camera featuring a fixed 23mm f/1.7 lens and a large sensor that delivers outstanding image quality reminiscent of the Leica M240. Its primary advantage is its rugged design, which allows it to remain instantly accessible outside a camera bag during harsh outdoor activities like canoeing and hiking, leading to more photo opportunities. The camera offers intuitive manual controls with physical dials for aperture and shutter speed that are easy to operate even while wearing gloves. Additionally, the autofocus is fast and reliable, the battery easily lasts through week-long trips, and the raw files offer excellent contrast, sharpness, and pleasing bokeh straight out of the camera. However, the camera has notable limitations, including a fixed focal length and a larger, heavier body due to the bright f/1.7 aperture lens. It completely lacks both an internal electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the ability to attach an external one. While manual focusing is built into the lens ring, the magnified live-view assist on the rear screen appears low-resolution and overly sharpened, making it difficult...

The Leica X-U is a rugged, waterproof camera designed for active lifestyles, featuring an intuitive five-page menu system and a heavily rubberised, impact-resistant body that can withstand drops of up to 1.2 metres and depths of 49 feet under water. Built around a 16.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor paired with a sharp, fixed 23mm f/1.7 lens (a 35mm full-frame equivalent), the camera excels in demanding environments like beaches and ski slopes. Its key strengths include a highly functional, tactile dial system that remains usable with gloves or wet fingers, seamless RAW (DNG) file processing via Lightroom, 5 frames-per-second continuous shooting, and exceptional weather sealing that effectively keeps out moisture and dirt. However, the camera comes with notable downsides, most prominently its steep niche price tag of $3,295 USD and an older 16-megapixel sensor that falls short of modern 24-megapixel standards. It completely lacks an optical viewfinder or an articulating rear screen, forcing users to compose shots solely on a fixed back display, and its straight-out-of-camera JPEG files suffer from over-saturation. Furthermore, the focus coverage is limited to just 11 centered fields,...

The DPReview sample gallery for the Leica X-U (Typ 113) highlights a robust, waterproof, and shockproof compact camera featuring a 16.3MP APS-C sensor paired with a 23mm F1.7 Summilux lens. The camera is noted for its exceptional image quality, delivering high contrast and sharpness, alongside a durable, grippy design suitable for harsh conditions. However, the analysis reveals significant drawbacks, including a high price point, sluggish autofocus, and poor low-light performance. Furthermore, the lack of a built-in viewfinder, limited manual control over close-up shooting, and a lack of modern connectivity features limit its overall utility, despite high-quality image output. For the full gallery and details, visit DPReview.

The Leica X-U (Typ 113) stands out as a unique, premium underwater camera featuring an SLR-sized APS-C image sensor that delivers highly detailed, sharp images unmatched by standard small-sensor waterproof compacts. Built with a rugged, rubber-covered body, it is waterproof up to 49 feet, shockproof from drops up to four feet, and dustproof without requiring an external housing. Key strengths (pros) include its robust design, comfortable knurled manual control dials that are easy to operate even with diving gloves, a smooth manual focus ring with automatic frame magnification, and excellent image sharpness from its fixed 23mm f/1.7 lens. Additionally, it maintains low image noise up to ISO 1600, making it a powerful tool for high-quality underwater photography. However, the camera has several performance drawbacks (cons) and a restrictive design. It is exceptionally expensive at $2,950, its autofocus system is notably slow at 0.4 seconds to lock onto targets, and its burst shooting buffer is limited to just 7 frames. Furthermore, the camera wrests control from the photographer by automatically stopping the aperture down to f/2.8 when focusing closely (7.9 inches)...