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Review Summary
2021-08-01T13:53:40
Not my first Leica but this ones is a keeper. Love small size, build quality, features and interchangeable lenses (vs Leica Q). Viewfinder/EVF is bright and accurate, nice diopter correct with lock. Feels and acts like a Leica M only with EVF. Battery life has been great, nice surprise due to some reviews. With M-L lens adapter, I?m using the Leitz Wetzler Summicron-C 40mm f2, from my film version Leica CL. Manual mode, M lens function set to 35mm f2 (no 40 option). Beautiful contrast, sharpness and ?Leica look? in color and monochrome. I prefer manual lens features, but the auto Elmarit-TL 18mm f2.8 and Summilux-TL 35mm f1.4 are equally as impressive image quality. I would recommend the Leica CL to anyone who appreciates quality, solid build and classic timeless photography. The digital features you need and nothing you don?t.
SALLY R.
2021-02-10T02:41:31
Based on my initial use this week, very good camera. Small and light but exudes the quality of Leica in every way. Decided to maximize the image quality to only use prime lenses. I have the Leica 18mm, also two Sigma, the 30mm f/1.4 and 56mm f/1.4. Makes for a very small kit even compared to my Nikon Z7 with three smaller lenses. Looking forward to enjoying daily walk around use without too much setting and adjustments. Right out of the camera colors are very clean and pure.
David H.
2021-01-13T08:57:07
Absolutely love the CL. I also have a hasselblad x1d and a Sony A7RIV. They are obviously very different cameras but I find that the sensory experience of the CL is the best so I enjoy shooting with it the most. Also portable and beautiful camera. I recommend the 35mm/f1.4 Leica lens, 90% of my best shots with the CL were with this lens. The Macro 60mm is great for portraits but doesn’t focus too well up close. I also suggest buying a grip and thumb grip for it if you plan on shooting with it a lot. My only complaint is that it is not weather sealed but I have never had a problem in light rain.
STEFAN M.
2019-12-25T07:27:44
Compact and Easy to use. Conforms to Leica design philosophy - minimalist and ease of use. Pancake lens makes this combination ideal for travel use. Only thing that can be improved is the grip - which you can get by getting a wrist strap.
sarthak r.
2019-05-02T09:59:39
Let's start by acknowledging just how fun this little camera can be. You can customize the controls and have full power over the exposure triangle without moving your eye from the viewfinder. The Leica images are vivid and mostly sharp. It returns the fun to taking pictures, particularly if you are like me and used to lugging around pounds of Canon gear all day. What a joy to just have this little creative tool. But there is a price, and I don't just mean the high price of this somewhat aging technology. By being minimalist, the camera denies you the ability to back button focus. Instead you must maintain pressure on the shutter button so as not to lose focus, while you manipulate exposure compensation and try to fine tune the focus manually. If you are in autofocus, you give up magnification as you turn the focus right to fine tune the focus. You can not lock exposure independently of the focus point. In short, you lose a great deal of creative control, unless you go to manual mode and manual focus. That is a shame. The simplification of ISO control comes at the price of having to take huge jumps in settings rather than having a more incremental increase in the ISO setting. Battery life is all too short. I have gone to 4 batteries to make sure I don't run out. I am concerned about having enough time to charge them all each evening considering how slow the charger works. I know that sounds like a lot of negatives. I only wish Leica would read this and make a Leica CL 2 (or a more professional model). But, the bottom line is that I decided to keep the camera and I smile every day that I go out and shoot with it. As Hugh Brownstone would say, "It makes me happy." If you don't know who he is, go to his web site at 3 blindmen and an elephant and watch his youtube review of this camera.
Robert W.
2019-03-13T14:46:07
excellent choice for everyday photo. first time using a "camera" to take photo of my child. quick focus time too. wonderful color, would not regret buying it.
CHUNGHYUN K.
2019-02-04T07:47:55
Excellent service, price,shipment but they did not honer my most important request. That was to please send me a camera that is brand new, in the box never opened, not a display unit. That was not the case. The camera was actually used/on before it was sent to me. Evidence was from the number of pictures taken before sent to me and not the original battery charger packaging.I wish they would not have done that.G.
GHEORGHE B.
2018-10-10T14:59:41
The (Digital) Leica CL is a new comer in the Leica portfolio, yet it takes the good parts of the TL2, SL, M and Q and packs it into a very capable platform. L-mount body ensures you can use all current TL, SL and potentially future L-mount Alliance lenses. The customizable dials on the camera and unobtrusive back side of the camera gives enough flexibility and focus to the photographer. Im an M user myself and I am constantly surprised at how well this little camera takes my M lenses. Using this as a back up to my M or just my walk-around camera, this is certainly a winner in my book.
Jonathan W.
2018-01-14T11:17:31
Feels like a Leica. Solid with excellent image quality. For the serious photographer who take time to think, compose and shoot. Not an action camera.
MICHAEL L.
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Browse our FAQ
Digital APS-C system camera
Leica L bayonet with contact strip for communication between lens and camera
Lenses with Leica L-Mount, Leica M/R lenses using the Leica M-Adapter RAdapter L
APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.6 x 15.7 mm) with 24.96/24.24 million pixels (total/effective), aspect ratio 3:2
DNG: 6016 x 4014 Pixels (24 Megapixels), JPEG: optional 6000 x 4000 Pixels (24 Megapixels), or 4272 x 2856 Pixels (12 Megapixels), or 3024 2016 Pixels (6 Megapixels)
Optional: JPG, DNG, or DNG + JPG, DNG optionally uncompressed or compressed (lossless)
MP4
3840 x 2160 p (4K) 30fps, 1920 x 1080 p (FHD) 60 fps, 1920 x 1080p (FHD)
30 fps or 1280 x 720 p (HD) 30 fps
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
SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, multimedia cards, UHS II-standard is supported
Automatic, ISO 100 to ISO 50000, Automatic, presets for daylight, cloudy, halogen lighting, shadow, electronicflash, two memory slots for manually metered settings, manual color temperature setting
Contrast-based
Single point, multi-zone, spot, face detection, touch AF
Automatic program, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual setting, Fully automatic, sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach,fireworks, candlelight, sunset, digiscoping
Fully automatic, sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, fireworks, candlelight, sunset, digiscoping, miniature, panorama, HDR
Multi-zone, center-weighted, spot
3 EV in 1/3 EV increments
Three pictures in graduations up to 3EV, adjustable in 1/3 EV increments
30 s to 1/25000 s (up to 1/8000 s with mechanical, beyond that with electronic shutter)
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
Adjustable with attached, system compatible flash
+ / -3 EV in 1/3 EV increments
1/180 s
3 TFT LCD, 1.04MP, touch and gesture control possible
1024 x 768 pixels (2.36 MP), enlargement: 0.74x, aspect ratio: 4:3, eye relief: 20mm, eyepiece: adjustable +/-4 diopters, with eye sensor for automatic switching between viewfinder and monitor
Resolution: 128 x 58 pixels
ISO accessory shoe with center and control contacts for Leica flash units
Selectable delay time 2 or 12 s
Complies with IEEE 802.11b/g/n standard (standard WLAN protocol), channel 1-11, encryption method: WiFi-compatible WPA/WPA2
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.
Micro (type D) HDMI port, HDMI 1.4b standard is supported, USB type C port,USB 3.0 Super Speed standard is supported, battery charging via USB connection possible with max. 1 A, accessory shoe with Leica flash interface with integrated connection for optional accessories.
Top and bottom covers: milled and anodize Aluminum, front and rear body shells: Magnesium
A 1/4 DIN 4503 (1/4 )
5.15 x 3.05 x 1.77" / 131 x 78 x 45 mm
Approx. 14.21/12.45 oz - 403 g/353 g (with/without battery)
Feels about the same as a “Q”.
By MICHAEL L.
Feels like a Leica. Solid with excellent image quality. For the serious photographer who take time to think, compose and shoot. Not an action camera.
Mini M, Mini SL, Mini Q = all of them
By Jonathan W.
The (Digital) Leica CL is a new comer in the Leica portfolio, yet it takes the good parts of the TL2, SL, M and Q and packs it into a very capable platform. L-mount body ensures you can use all current TL, SL and potentially future L-mount Alliance lenses. The customizable dials on the camera and unobtrusive back side of the camera gives enough flexibility and focus to the photographer. Im an M user myself and I am constantly surprised at how well this little camera takes my M lenses. Using...
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The Leica CL—a compact film-era camera adored by many—has returned, this time as a digital camera. Almost the same size as its film predecessor, the Leica CL digital features a simple design, the highly-rated Sony 24MP sensor, an eye-level EVF, and interchangeable lens system. Two lenses—an 18-56mm mid-range zoom lenses and a....
Some people say that if Oskar Barnack were to build a camera today, it would have the APS-C format.
The new Leica CL is the deliberate transfer of traditional values from patience, persistence and craftsmanship into the fast and modern world we live in. A companion. So compact and discrete that it fits in every hand and finds a place in every heart.
In every perfect picture, the individual elements complement each other and come together to create a greater whole.
This also applies to the Leica CL: a high-resolution, 24 MP, APS-C format sensor, a Maestro II series processor and fast autofocus with 49 metering points come together to guarantee the image quality that is so distinctive for Leica: the best.
This naturally also applies to video recordings captured with a resolution of up to 4K at 30 frames per second. Whatever your expectations, the Leica fulfils them all with distinction.
With a latency time below the threshold of perception, a resolution of 2.36 million dots and the largest possible viewfinder image, the EyeRes® Viewfinder developed especially for the Leica CL ensures that you always have complete control over every picture you take.
The Leica CL is an intuitive camera. A camera you can use immediately, and one that impresses with quality. All essential elements for photography can be found on the top plate of the camera. Aside from the high-resolution electronic viewfinder, this is where you will find two dials for setting the aperture, shutter speed ISO value and exposure compensation.
All these controls are located in positions that enable photographs to be taken without removing the camera from the eye. A top display instantly provides information about all relevant parameters. The shutter button impresses with a perfectly defined release pressure point. The Leica CL gives you the feeling of being in complete control over every photo you take.
With its archetypal design, the compact Leica CL sets a new milestone in the over 100-year history of Leica camera development.
It’s classic design appearance is packed with innovations that serve one single purpose – the transformation of your photographic visions into reality. The Leica CL combines iconic design with state-of-the-art technology.
The compact, light and handy Leica CL is the ideal everyday companion. Always at hand and ready to capture the essence of every special moment – easily and unobtrusively.
The integrated Wi-Fi module of your Leica CL enables wireless transfer of images to smartphones, tablets or computers.
The Leica CL App for iOS or Android enables you to share your images via email or social media. With the remote function of the CL App, you can use your mobile device as an off-camera viewfinder, change exposure parameters or take pictures with your Leica CL by remote control.
Leica Camera expands its APS-C System product portfolio with the introduction of the Leica CL, a camera which combines Leica's classic design with ease of use. The Leica CL's compact design with exceptional picture quality enables a photography experience unique to Leica.
The Leica CL is an intuitive camera with a built-in high-resolution electronic viewfinder and all essential controls conveniently located on its top plate, designed to be used with L-mount lenses. Atop the camera are two dials, with customizable buttons in each center, for setting the aperture, shutter speed, ISO value, exposure compensation and shooting mode - making it convenient for the photographer to take pictures without taking their eye away from the viewfinder. An additional display on the top plate instantly provides all relevant photographic settings at a glance. The user has total control at their fingertips when taking pictures with the Leica CL, and the perfectly tuned pressure point of the shutter release brings it all together with a satisfying haptic click.
The expansive range of TL lenses and accessories such as the M-Adapter L, R-Adapter L, flashes, straps and camera protector options all enhance the shooting experience with the Leica CL while providing the user with more options for creativity.