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New Leica CL is a small mirrorless camera

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Leica has revealed its newest camera in its portfolio, the APS-C class CL. The CL could be a very similar camera to the TL2 released earlier this year, with the same image sensor and overall performance. but it’s a most classical design than the TL2 futuristic and must appeal to those needing a classic style camera that is lighter, smaller, and of course, it significantly cheaper than Leica’s flagship M10 rangefinder.

Leica camera 3The biggest difference between the TL2 and also the CL is the CL’s integrated electronic viewfinder. It has a 2.36-mp display mounted on the left side top of the camera (if viewed from the rear). As far as electronic viewfinders go, this one will not blow anyone away — even the viewfinder on Leica’s own q bests it — but it’s much better than the detachable view-finder.

The other big difference with the CL is the control dials and small LCD display on the top plate. just like the TL2, the 2 control dials are customizable and may be programmed for whatever parameter you want to control. but on top of every dial could be a button that toggles a secondary function, making it easy to switch between 2 entirely different control schemes. additionally, the black and white LCD screen between the dials displays settings, battery, and exposure indicators, so it’s easy to check things on the go. It even lights up automatically in dim lighting.

Leica camera 2The back of the CL could be a mix between the TL2 and its full touchscreen system and also the Q’s button-based system. Basically, the CL combines the 2 ideas: its rear display is fully touched and gesture enabled, but it still has buttons and a four-way controller.

The CL is significantly smaller than TL2, and Leica likens it is the size of the fixed-lens X2 released a few years ago. It’s roughly the same size because of the Fujifilm X-E3 and only slightly larger than Sony’s extremely compact A6500.

Leica camera 5Inside, the CL has a 24-mp APS-C sensor and Leica’s maestro II image processor. It will shoot up to 33 DNG and JPEG full resolution pictures at ten frames per second and shoots 4K video at 30 frames per second or 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second. Leica boasts a fourteen stop dynamic range & ISO up to 50,000. The CL’s contrast-based autofocus system has 49 metering points to work with and the camera offers both an electronic and mechanical shutter.

Interestingly, does not have any I/O ports to speak off the CL— the only way to transfer the images switch off the camera is to remove the sd card and put it in a pc or use Leica’s iOS or Android app to wireless transfer images to a phone or tablet.

Leica camera 4The CL is compatible with Leica’s tl mount system, that currently boasts a total of seven lenses, together with a brand new, compact 18mm f/2.8 option. It has also compatible with the 7 lenses in the sl system, and Leica offers mount adapters to use R- and M-mount lenses on that.

For the first time, Leica is selling the CL in bundled kits, additionally to body only options. A kit with the new 18mm lens can price $3,795, while a kit with an 18-55 zoom lens will run $3,995. The CL body alone prices $2,795 and also the 18mm lens will sell for $1,295. All choices are available to order starting today.

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