Thread: what does everyone think about the X2?

I like the rumoured lens. Presumably colours and sharpness will be amazing . As to its price, my thoughts are best kept to myself.

My needs are currently satisfied by m4/3. I have two film Leicas; both precious jewels, not really working cameras in the sense that I can comfortably carry them about and use frequently. They have been put away. I want a camera I can use all the time without being terrified about damage, loss or insurance premiums. M 4/3 does this admirably.

I try to remind myself, often, of Atget. Wabi sabi must prevail.

Leica unveils X2 16MP premium large-sensor compact: Digital Photography Review

So basically it's the same lens as the X1, a bit more mexapixels, a supposedly improved autofocus, no integrated viewfinder, with what is probably the worse LCD in a "serious camera" in production today. Pricing is not as bad as I thought, but then again the specs are terrible IMHO. End of story for me.

I've said this before but once bitten, twice shy as far as I'm concerned. I think that IQ has come on in leaps and bounds since the X1 hit the market and the X2 would have to have a much better usability and fast focus to compete with the cameras that are around now. The only camera I've ever had to send back to the manufacturer has been the Leica X1 and I've read much about the problems with the Leicas in general. They don't seem to have yet mastered the digital aspect and when they do I'm sure that they'll be worth the money but at the moment I'm not holding my breathe! I'm giving them a wide berth for now (phew, cured?)

Using the same rubbish screen as the X1 on the back, what were they thinking? It's almost insulting!

Not my cup of tea. I'm sure the IQ will be awesome, but it's just underwhelming. Although not as underwhelming as a B&W M9.

I do expect the price to be overwhelming though!

For those of us with an X1 it's something of a non-event.

I'd been hoping for a short tele lens like that of the Canon G1X so that I could sell the Canon.
Instead we keep the same prime lens and all they seem to have done is to change the excellent Sony sensor and to add a Panasonic or Olympus viewfinder.
It rather a case of the Emporer's new clothes at a much inflated price. The new design seems to have as much to do with accountancy as it has with IQ improvements.

I shall keep my X1 ( greatly improved by Firmware v2.0 ) and now expect X1 used prices to rise as soon as the X2 becomes the only new model in town.

Meanwhile of course many of us have acquired the excellent Fuji X100 that produces images as good as the Leica at F2.8 albeit with a slightly different colour.

It is strange that the rear display is still only 230k resolution, when the accessory viewfinder is 1.4m. I wonder if this new Leica is the Panasonic LVF2 with new cosmetics, by the way?

Looks like the Oly EVF.

Originally Posted by krugorg

I wonder if this new Leica is the Panasonic LVF2 with new cosmetics, by the way?

That seems to be the general view or Olympus I keep hearing.

Christilou mentions the problems with Leica Build and although we tend to moan about Fuji , Leica have an awful track record.
I went to buy an M9 at Harrisons in Sheffield when they first came out and couldn't believe how bad the black paint job was : that's how I ended up with an X1 some 2 months later.

The X1 started out by having dodgy battery covers that wouldn't sit flat , then the skin started peeling away and the pop up flash kept popping up when not wanted , finally users told of dust on the sensor sucked in by the movement of the lens. My own camera had to go back to Germany for a skin fix and came back as if nothing much had been done.
With this in mind I'm also very wary of buying anything Leica although their binoculars are wonderful!

Originally Posted by nippa

That seems to be the general view or Olympus I keep hearing.

Christilou mentions the problems with Leica Build and although we tend to moan about Fuji , Leica have an awful track record.
I went to buy an M9 at Harrisons in Sheffield when they first came out and couldn't believe how bad the black paint job was : that's how I ended up with an X1 some 2 months later.

The X1 started out by having dodgy battery covers that wouldn't sit flat , then the skin started peeling away and the pop up flash kept popping up when not wanted , finally users told of dust on the sensor sucked in by the movement of the lens. My own camera had to go back to Germany for a skin fix and came back as if nothing much had been done.
With this in mind I'm also very wary of buying anything Leica although their binoculars are wonderful!

It is a bummer to hear that the X1 quality experience was not that great. Part of me was thinking, well, you are going to get a great lens, more reliable body, and have a higher resale value with the Leica. Even if the X2 were more reliable, though, you could buy still 2 X100s for the same price (assuming you got the viewfinder for the X2).

I wonder what the prices are going to be on the new Sigmas?

Come on, Ricoh/Pentax, I would buy a new GXR with the updated sensor.... Not sure if this would ever happen, but I would love a fixed 28mm GXR/GRD, with the latest APS-C sensor, and a built in viewfinder.

Originally Posted by christilou

Using the same rubbish screen as the X1 on the back, what were they thinking? It's almost insulting!

We've got to get you on the podcast some time, Christina!