Leica X2
Announced May 10, 2012
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Good
The Leica X2 is a stylish, well-built camera that delivers excellent image quality and a rewarding tactile shooting experience for street photography enthusiasts. That said, its high price, outdated screen resolution, and lack of modern features like video mode or fast autofocus make it a difficult recommendation for the average consumer.
Weighted from 15 reviewer scores
Pros
- Robust, high-quality build with stylish design
- Intuitive manual controls and tactile dials
- Excellent image quality and sharp lens performance
- Enhanced autofocus speed compared to previous models
- Improved battery life and general responsiveness
Cons
- Outdated, low-resolution screen
- High price point
- Limited close-up and macro focusing capabilities
- Lack of essential features like video mode and built-in viewfinder
- Slow autofocus performance by modern standards
- Launch price $1,999 (USD)
- Sensor 16.1MP APS-C CMOS
- Stabilization In-body IS
- Burst 5 fps electronic 5 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 15 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
Is this product missing a reputable review? Share a link to a review article or YouTube video for consideration.
-
In what is becoming a very competitive and overlapping market, the Leica X2 stands out as a high-quality, well-built camera, with a sharp lens and good image quality at low sensitivities. Sadly, however, the X2 has in many ways arrived a few years too late.
-
If you do spend the money to buy the Leica X2, you'll be extremely glad to know that you're getting a very good camera capable of taking excellent photos.
-
Whilst the traditionalist-looking X2 isn't a budget option by any means and we'd find it hard to justify the expense ourselves, it is capable of delivering shots that are lovely enough for you to consider leaving the DSLR at home on occasion and pocketing the X2 instead.
-
With this kind of competition, the X2 needed to deliver something really special to set it apart from its rivals and justify the price, but it falls short. Images are excellent and the styling makes it look the part, but the level of features and performance let it down.
-
With this kind of competition, the X2 needed to deliver something really special to set it apart from its rivals and justify the price, but it falls short. Images are excellent and the styling makes it look the part, but the level of features and performance let it down.
-
While the X2 is beautiful to look at and rewards your efforts with beautiful file quality I feel Leica should have concentrated on upping the game with a built in EVF, FAST AF and a fast responsive feel.
-
We love the Leica X2, but it’s a far cry from a mainstream camera and, therefore, won’t be suited to many of our readers. However, it’s this distinctiveness that makes it a desirable camera.
-
If you're looking for something a little different, a little quirkier, a little classier than the average point-and-shoot, the X2 fits the bill snugly.
-
Given its price tag and narrowly focused (no pun intended) capabilities, the Leica X2 isn’t for most people, but it’ll find a useful role in the hands of anyone looking for an inconspicuous shooter for street photography.
-
So far the X2 is the best camera I’ve ever used.
-
Ultimately, Leica did a great job updating the X1 and addressing almost all of its shortcomings while keeping its strengths for the X2.
-
The X2 takes the image quality even further, but more importantly now feels like a mature product. It’s a better distillation of the M gestalt, and definitely easier to use for the simple reason that it’s more responsive to shoot with.
-
All in all, the Leica X2 has transformed the great ideas of the X1 into a really useable and pocketable camera, which responds quickly, and reliably takes photographs in any situation where you might not be wanting to carry a dSLR or a Leica M around with you.
-
It is my genuine opinion that the X2 is worth every penny of its $2,000 price tag. Professional versus amateur be damned. This camera makes me want to take it along whenever I leave the house, so I do.
-
I think it is a killer street camera if that is what you want to do. Again, in that case, you're going to want to shoot at the high f-stop and do your zone focusing and all of that, and this then becomes extremely responsive.
