Leica has officially launched CL, the latest addition to their APS-C L-mount series. In terms of design, it leans on the traditional models and even shares the name with their camera from 1973. But of course, it’s a mirrorless digital camera with modern features. It features a 24.2MP CMOS sensor, and it’s capable of shooting up to 10fps. ISO ranges from 100 to 50,000, so Leica CL promises good results even in difficult lighting conditions. According to DPReview, it’s “(almost) what the TL should have been.”
Along with the new Leica CL, the company has launched a new lens too: Elmarit-TL 18 mm f/2.8 ASPH. It’s an AF pancake wide-angle lens designed for the APS-C L-mount cameras.
Leica CL
Leica CL features a 24.2MP CMOS sensor paired with Leica’s Maestro II processor. The camera also features upgraded contrast-detect AF system with 49 selectable points. According to the company, these features brought together guarantee the exquisite image quality.
The camera has a built-in electronic viewfinder with 2.36m-dot resolution and 0.74x magnification. It also has a rear 3.0″ 1.04m-dot LCD touchscreen and the design that offers easy navigation when shooting and reviewing the photos.
Take a look at the full specs:
| Imaging | |
| Lens Mount | Leica L |
| Camera Format | APS-C (1.5x Crop Factor) |
| Pixels | Actual: 24.96 Megapixel Effective: 24.24 Megapixel |
| Max Resolution | 6016 x 4014 |
| Aspect Ratio | 3:2 |
| Sensor Type / Size | CMOS, 23.6 x 15.7 mm |
| File Formats | Still Images: DNG, JPEG Movies: MP4 |
| Memory Card Type | SD SDHC SDXC |
| AV Recording | |
| Video Recording | Yes |
| Video Format | 3840 x 2160p at 30 fps 1920 x 1080p at 30, 60 fps 1280 x 720p at 30 fps |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Video Clip Length | Up to 29 Min |
| Audio Recording | Not specified by Manufacturer |
| Focus Control | |
| Focus Type | Auto & Manual |
| Focus Mode | Continuous-Servo AF (C), Manual Focus (M), Single-servo AF (S) |
| Autofocus Points | Contrast Detection: 49 |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder Pixel Count | 2,360,000 |
| Viewfinder Eye Point | 20.00 mm |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.74x |
| Diopter Adjustment | -4 to +4 m |
| Display Screen | 3″ Rear Touchscreen LCD (1,040,000) |
| Screen Coverage | 100% |
| Exposure Control | |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100-50000 |
| Shutter | Type: Mechanical Speed: 30 – 1/8000 Second Type: Electronic Speed: 1/8000 – 1/25000 Second |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average Metering, Spot Metering |
| Exposure Modes | Modes: Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority Compensation: -3 EV to +3 EV (in 1/3 EV Steps) |
| White Balance Modes | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Custom, Daylight, Flash, Halogen, Shade |
| Buffer/Continuous Shooting | Up to 10 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 33 Frames in Raw Format Up to 10 fps at 24.2 MP for up to 140 Frames in JPEG Format |
| Flash | |
| Flash Modes | Not specified by Manufacturer |
| Built-in Flash | No |
| Max Sync Speed | 1 / 180 Second |
| Flash Compensation | -3 EV to +3 EV (in 1/3 EV steps) |
| Dedicated Flash System | TTL |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Performance | |
| Self Timer | 12 Seconds, 2 Seconds |
| Connectivity | HDMI D (Micro), USB 3.0, USB Type-C |
| Wi-Fi Capable | Yes |
| Power | |
| Battery | 1 x BP-DC12 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 7.2 VDC, 1200 mAh |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.2 x 3.1 x 1.8″ / 131.0 x 78.0 x 45.0 mm |
| Weight | 14.22 oz / 403 g with battery |
Leica Elmarit-TL 18 mm f/2.8 ASPH
Another novelty from Leica is Leica Elmarit-TL 18 mm f/2.8 ASPH lens. It’s one of the smallest lenses in its class, so Leica suggests it as the perfect “constant companion” for the CL.
Elmarit-TL 18 mm is a 27mm equivalent wide-angle APS-C lens, designed for Leica L-mount mirrorless cameras. It features a fast autofocus and it’s tiny and lightweight. As for the optical design, it has 8 elements in 6 groups and 4 aspherical surfaces which promise better control of distortion and spherical aberrations.
Here are the full specs of the lens:
| Performance | |
| Focal Length | 18mm Comparable 35mm Focal Length: 27 mm |
| Aperture | Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/16 |
| Camera Mount Type | Leica L |
| Format Compatibility | APS-C |
| Angle of View | 75° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11.81″ (30 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.07x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:14 |
| Elements/Groups | 8 / 6 |
| Diaphragm Blades | Not specified by Manufacturer |
| Features | |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Filter Thread | Front: 39 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.40 x 0.83″ (61 x 21 mm) |
| Weight | 2.82 oz (80 g) |
If you’d like to see Leica CL and the 18mm f/2.8 in action, you can watch Kai Wong’s hands-on video below and get to know the camera better.
If you’d like to add Leica CL and the new 18mm f/2.8 to your gear bag, they are available for preorders at the following prices:
- Leica CL (body only): $2,795
- Leica CL + 18mm f/2.8: $3,795
- Leica CL + 18-56mm lens: $3,995
- Leica Elmarit-TL 18 mm f/2.8 ASPH: $1,295.00
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