Cameras Leica

Leica CL Compact APS-C System Camera and Thumb Support Will Be Available in Silver Anodized Finish: 24MP Sensor, New Leica FOTOS App, Electronic Viewfinder with EyeRes Technology, Fast AF with a 49-Point AF System, 4K Video Recording @ 30fps, L-Bayonet Mount

Leica CL in silver or black anodized finish
Leica CL in silver or black anodized finish

This is an update to these previous blogs:

The following video presents Leica CL – Compact System Camera from Leica Camera on Vimeo:

The Leica CL, silver:

Leica CL, silver: Body only

Leica CL, silver: Body only

  • Leica CL in silver anodized finish is priced at $2,795 for the body only.
Leica CL Prime Kit, Silver with 18mm f/2.8 Elmamrit-TL pancake lens

Leica CL Prime Kit, Silver with 18mm f/2.8 Elmamrit-TL pancake lens

  • Leica CL Prime Kit includes the 18mm f/2.8 Elmamrit-TL pancake lens, which is also finished in matching silver, for $3,795.
Leica CL, silver, Vario Kit with the 18-56mm Vario-Elmar-TL

Leica CL, silver, Vario Kit with the 18-56mm Vario-Elmar-TL

  • Leica CL Vario Kit comes bundled with the 18-56mm Vario-Elmar-TL for $3,995.
  • Both kits “represent a decent savings over buying a la carte, $295 and $450, respectively.”
  • The new Leica Photos App can also be used with the Leica CL.
New Leica FOTOS App can also be used with the Leica CL

New Leica FOTOS App can also be used with the Leica CL

Leica Thumb Support:

Leica Thumb Support

Leica Thumb Support

  • To complete the look, Leica is also launching a matching silver anodized thumb support which slides into the hot shoe.
  • Priced at $195, the machined aluminum thumb rest “provides nice added comfort and stability and is great add-on.”
Leica CL, silver

Leica CL, silver

PRESS RELEASE

Alternative design option for the Leica CL

Leica Camera AG has expanded the product portfolio of the APS-C system and now presents a silver version of the Leica CL compact system camera.

Wetzlar, 25 September 2018. Leica Camera AG has expanded the product portfolio of the APS-C system and is now offering a second design option of the Leica CL compact system camera in silver. Inspired by the iconic design of the black CL, the new design option is distinguished by its classical combination of black and silver elements. The top deck and the base plate are silver anodized and create a distinctive contrast to the black of the leather trim. The control elements of the top deck are also finished in silver and ideally complement the elegant appearance of the camera. To improve handling, a color-matched thumb rest is now also available in silver as an accessory for the new model.

Leica CL, silver

Leica CL, silver

The silver version of the Leica CL is on sale from October. The technical specifications of both models of the CL are identical. One of the outstanding features of the Leica CL is its electronic viewfinder with EyeRes technology developed by Leica especially for this camera. With a latency time below the threshold of perception and a resolution of 2.36 million pixels, the EyeRes® viewfinder offers an impressive viewing experience and numerous advantages: As the final image is visible in the viewfinder before the shutter release is pressed, users have complete control over the composition of their subjects.

Leica CL: Photo by Sarah M Lee

Leica CL: Photo by Sarah M Lee

In combination with the high-resolution, 24 MP, APS-C format sensor of the Leica CL, a Maestro II series processor and fast auto focus with 49 metering points guarantee maximum picture quality in all photographic situations. The Leica CL is not only an impressive still picture camera, this also applies to moving pictures captured with its video function at a resolution of up to 4K at 30 frames per second.

Leica CL, silver

Leica CL, silver

The Leica CL also equipped with an integrated Wi-Fi module. Pictures and videos can be sent by a wireless connection to smartphones, tablets or computers and quickly and easily shared by email or in social networks with the Leica CL App for iOS or Android. In addition to this, the remote function of the app lets mobile devices be used as an off-camera viewfinder or for altering exposure parameters – for example when shooting with the self-timer function or from unusual angles. The new Leica Photos App can also be used with the Leica CL, and will be available from October 2018.

Leica CL, silver

Leica CL, silver

With its compact size and iconic design, the Leica CL is an ideal everyday companion, while its user-friendly handling concept makes it an intuitive tool for capturing spontaneous and discreet pictures. All essential controls are located on its top plate. In addition to the electronic viewfinder, there are two dials for setting the aperture, shutter speed ISO value, and exposure compensation. Everything is so conveniently located that photographs can be made without taking the camera from the eye. An additional display on the top plate instantly provides information about all relevant settings and exposure parameters. Together with the perfectly defined release pressure point, this ensures that users have absolute control over every picture they take with the Leica CL.

An extensive portfolio of TL-Lenses in black or silver anodized finish is also available for the Leica CL. The lenses offer superior imaging performance and are responsible for the exceptionally high picture quality delivered by the Leica APS-C System. The portfolio of compact and fast lenses with focal lengths from 17 to 200 mm offers infinite opportunities for all kinds of creative photography. Thanks to the elegant simplicity of the design, the three zoom lenses – the Super-Vario-Elmar-TL 1:3.5–4.5/11–23 ASPH., Vario-Elmar-TL 1:3.5– 5.6/18–56 ASPH. and the APO-Vario-Elmar-TL 1:3.5–4.5/55–135 ASPH. – and four prime lenses – the Elmarit-TL 1:2.8/18 ASPH., Summicron-TL 1:2/23 ASPH., Summilux-TL 1:1.4/35 ASPH. and the APO-Macro Elmarit-TL 1:2.8/60 ASPH. – perfectly complement the Leica CL, not only in terms of technological excellence, but also in looks.

Developed by optical engineering specialists in Wetzlar, the Leica TL-Lenses all offer the exceptional imaging performance for which Leica lenses are famed. The combination of optical and precision engineering expertise and the use of finest materials in their construction ensures their constant quality and reliability in use.

Thanks to the L-Bayonet mount shared by the Leica TL- and SL-Systems, SL-Lenses can also be used without an adapter on the CL and the TL2. Appropriate adapters are also available for using Leica M- and R-Lenses on the cameras. As a consequence of the ‘L-Mount Alliance’, announced shortly before the opening of photokina 2018, which grants Panasonic and Sigma  licenses to use the L-Mount Standard developed by Leica and offer lenses and cameras with this lens mount, the Leica CL is also ideally prepared for future developments.

‘L-Mount Alliance’,

‘L-Mount Alliance’

An extensive range of technical- and style-accessories ideally complements the Leica APS-C system product portfolio.

Tech Specs

Lens Mount Leica L bayonet with contact strip for communication between lens and camera
Compatible lenses Lenses with Leica L-Mount, Leica M/R lenses using the Leica M-Adapter L/R-Adapter L
Sensor APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.7 mm) with 24.96/24.24 million pixels (total/effective), aspect ratio 3:2
Photo Resolution DNG: 6016 x 4014 Pixels (24 Megapixels), JPEG: optional 6000 x 4000 Pixels (24 Megapixels), or 4272 x 2856 Pixels (12 Megapixels), or 3024 x 2016 Pixels (6 Megapixels)
Photo file formats/compression rates DNG, JPG or DNG + JPG
Video Recording Format MP4
Video resolution / frame rate 4K 30 fps, full HD 60 or 30 fps, HD 30 fps
Video recording time Depending on ambient or housing temperature video recordings are possible up to a maximum length of 29 minutes, maximum file size is 4 GB, if a recording exceeds this limit, the respective part is automatically stored in another file
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, multimedia cards, UHS II-standard is supported (32GB internal memory)
ISO range Automatic, ISO 100 to ISO 50000
White balance Automatic, presets for daylight, cloudy, halogen lighting, shadow, electronic flash, two memory slots for manually metered settings, manual color temperature setting
Autofocus system Contrast based, 49 points
Autofocus metering methods Single point, multiple point, spot, face detection, touch AF
Exposure modes Program AE, aperture priority AE, shutter priority AE, manual exposure setting, scene mode, video
Exposure metering Multi-zone, center-weighted, spot
Exposure compensation ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments
Automatic bracketing Three pictures in graduations up to ±3 EV, adjustable in 1/3 EV increments
Shutter speed range 30 s to 1⁄25000 s (up to 1⁄8000 s with mechanical shutter, higher speeds with electronic shutter)
Burst shooting Max. approx. 10 fps with mechanical shutter, 10fps with electronic shutter function, max. approx. 33 pictures (DNG + JPG) and max. approx. 140 pictures (JPG only) at full speed, then depending on memory card properties
Flash modes Adjustable with attached, system compatible flash (no built-in flash)
Flash exposure compensation ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments
Flash synchronization 1/180 s
Recommended Flash Unit Leica SF 40 flash
Monitor 3” TFT LCD, 1.04MP, touch and gesture control possible
Top Display Resolution: 128 × 58 pixels
Self timer Selectable delay time 2 or 12 s
Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n, WLAN-compatible WPA™/WPA2™
Power supply Leica BP-DC12 lithium ion battery, rated voltage 7.2 V, capacity 1200 mAh (min.) (based on CIPA standard): approx. 220 pictures, charging time (after total discharge): approx. 140 min. Manufacturers: Panasonic Energy (Wuxi) Co., Ltd, made in China
Viewfinder Resolution: 2.36 MP, magnification: 0.74×, ± 4 diopter settings, with eye-sensor for automatic switching between viewfinder and monitor
Body Top plate and baseplate in machined and anodized aluminum, magnesium front and rear shell
Tripod thread A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4”)
Dimensions 131× 78 × 45 mm
Weight 403 g/353 g (with/without battery)
Software Leica FOTOS App (remote control and image transfer, free download from Apple™ App-Store™/Google™ Play Store™)
Warranty 2 years

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