Leica has expanded its APS-C format line of cameras, introducing the Leica CL (Typ 7323), price tag starting at £2,250 with a release date in November.
The 24-megapixel Leica CL sits alongside the Leica TL2 in Leica’s APS-C format mirrorless lineup, and shares the same 49-point contrast detection AF system as its sibling.
As Leica says, in technical terms the two cameras are equals, but the CL is being branded as a classic, iconic throwback to the traditions of Leica, in contrast to its futuristic TL2.
That said, the Leica CL offers many modern features, such as 4K video at 30fps (3840 x 2160) and built-in WiFi.
You can also record Full-HD (1920 x 1080) video at 60 or 30fps.
Another standout feature of the Leica CL – and an advantage over the TL2 – is its built-in electronic viewfinder. The Leica CL’s EVF boasts 2.3-million-pixel (1024×768) resolution and magnification of 0.74x.
Leica has also included a number of Film Styles (Standard, Vivid, Natural, B&W Natural, B&W High Contrast) that allow you to tailor jpeg images to suit the subject or conditions.
Unlike the TL2, the Leica CL has an electronic viewfinder (EVF) built-in with EyeRes technology that Leica says it developed specifically for the CL. Leica says with this EyeRes viewfinder, latency time is below the threshold of perception at a resolution of 2.36-million-pixels.
Leica CL Specs
| Camera type | CSC |
| Date announced | 21st November 2017 |
| Price at launch | £2,250/$ body only, £3,150 with 18mm, £3,275 with 18-56mm, |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.6x15.7mm) |
| Effective pixel count | 24.24 million |
| Lens Mount | Leica L |
| Processor | Maestro II |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 100-50,000 |
| AF System | 49-point contrast detection |
| Max video resolution | 3840 x 2160 p (4K) 30fps |
| Storage | 32GB internal plus SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II |
| Viewfinder | 2.36Mp electronic viewfinder (EVF) |
| Screen | 3-inch 1.04-dot touch-screen |
| Dimensions | 131 x 78 x 45mm |
| Weight | 353g body only, 403g with battery |
Leica CL Price & Release Date
The Leica CL price tag will be £2,250 for the body only, or you can get the CL as a kit for £3,150 with the new Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Alternatively, the Leica CL price tag for the camera plus the Vario-Elmar-TL 18-56mm f/3.5–5.6 ASPH lens will be £3,275.
A Leica CL release date will be the end of this month for the black version. A release date for the silver option hasn’t been confirmed.