Leica X-E is a cosmetic upgrade to the discontinued X2 (Typ 112). To entice customers who aren't willing to pay more for the new X or X Vario ($1,899.95 Amazon), Leica has reduced the price of this camera. However, there are still some issues with the camera which seemed outdated when we reviewed it in 2012. The X (Typ 113) compact is the better option, although it's more costly.
If you're open to shooting with other brands, the Fujifilm X100S is our current Editors' Choice, and includes a unique hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder that is unmatched in this class. Although we have not yet reviewed the X100T's successor, the X100S, we plan to when it is available.
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Features and Design
The X-E has one thing going for it that the larger X (Typ 113) can't match—size. The X-E is just 2.7 inches by 4.9 inches by 2 inches (HWD), and it weighs in at 11.2 ounces. Although it won't fit in the pockets of tight jeans, the X-E will slide easily into khaki pants. The X (Typ 113) is bigger and heavier (2.9 by 5.2 by 3.1 inches) and, while I was able to pocket it personally, the extra inch of depth makes getting it in or out of a pocket a process that requires some understanding of geometry and some careful maneuvering.
Only one color option is available for the 16-megapixel XE. The X-E's bottom and top plates of metal are dark gray. Its body is covered in silver leatherette and a studded texture. Elmarit ASPH 24mm f/2.8. The lens is attached to the camera and protected by a lens cap made of plastic. The lens cap must be removed in order for the camera to turn on.
The lens has a removable beauty ring that can be removed to allow you to use the X-E in combination with the Leica Digiscoping Adapter ($129), and the Apo-Televid 65 ($2,099) series spotting scopes to create extreme telephoto shots.
The APS-C size sensor that the X-E uses means that its 24-mm lens can cover a view field that is equivalent to a 35mm optical on a full-frame digital camera. The coverage it provides is almost identical to that of the Zeiss 35mm F/2 included in Sony's full-frame RX1. Although the X-E is capable of focusing as close to 0.3 meters, it's not as precise as the RX1and also lags behind Typ 113, which can focus up to 0.2 meters.
Two dials are located on the top of the X-E. One controls aperture, the other adjusts shutter speed. Both have automatic settings. The power switch surrounds the shutter button and has three settings—Off, Single, and Continuous. To the left of LCD, a column of buttons runs along the back.
These buttons include delete and playback controls as well as buttons for setting the ISO, white balance and focus modes. Two control dials are located to the left of the LCD, one near the top and the other around the 4-way directional pad. The directional controls are EV compensation and flash control.
They also include the self-timer and the toggle for focus mode. Manual focus is an option—the dial at the top of the rear plate adjusts the focus, and a magnified view appears. You can move the magnified area using the rear-directional controls. Although it does the job, the focus is a bit clunky compared to the more modern X (Typ 113), with a manual focus ring surrounding its lens.
The X-E has the same rear LCD design as the X2, and the rear LCD is the same as that of the original X1. Even though the X1 was launched in 2010, its 2.7-inch 230k dot rear LCD was considered outdated. Although the LCD can be used to frame a shot and has magnified views, it is not ideal for manual focus. The LCD is not great at checking exposure and focus.
Visoflex EVF2 (499) is an optional add-on EVF that the X2 supports. Although it is expensive, you could save some money using an older Olympus EVF-2. Olympus' finder has ceased production but you can still buy it on the used market for $200.
The X-E has no Wi-Fi because its hardware is a little older. The older Visoflex EVF2 is used. You don't have GPS with it. Consider purchasing an Eyefi Mobi card ($12.99 on Amazon) with the XE. The device will copy JPG files to your tablet or phone via Wi-Fi.
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Performance and conclusions
It takes 2.6 seconds for the X-E to begin and stop. It focuses well in bright lighting, taking 0.2 seconds. However it slows down to 1.1 seconds when working in dimming conditions. Although the X (Typ 113) takes a bit longer to get started (1.5 second), it is a lot quicker to focus when you are in bright light (0.4-second), and it's much faster in dim lighting (0.5-second). The X-E, like the X (Typ 113), shoots at approximately 5 frames per second (4.6fps) to capture short bursts. The camera can take 8 Raw+JPG and JPG photos at this speed before it stops.
Raw+JPG shots will take 13.4 seconds to save all images. This is a time when the camera won't work properly. JPG photographers have it slightly better. They need to wait 7.8 seconds to get the buffer cleared to their card. Raw+JPG and JPG capture are not supported by the X-E.
There are several settings for the X-E's Autofocus System. It defaults to 1-Point mode which narrows down the focus on an area defined by a box on the rear display. The box can be moved around the frame—just hold down the Delete/Focus mode until arrows appear on its borders, and use the rear directional pad to reposition it. The Spot mode uses a smaller box but has the same functionality as 1-Point. You can also choose 11-Point which will automatically select a focal point from 11 active focus points and Face Detection.
Imatest was used to test the sharpness and quality of the X-E 24mm f/2.8 lenses. It scores just slightly better than 1,800 lines on the center-weighted sharpness tests at its maximum aperture. The frame's detail is good throughout, although the edges of the frame are soft (1,432 line).
The overall score is 1,927 lines if you reduce the aperture to f/4. However, edges do not improve. The lens begins to display crispness at f/5.6. It manages 2,102 lines and edges of 1,800 lines. At f/8, it hits 2,195 lines. Edges close in at 1,900 lines. Barrel distortion is about 0.8%, but this doesn't matter in the field.
Imatest can also check images for noise. This could add grain to higher ISOs. Noise levels at ISO 1600 are kept below 1.5 percent by the X-E, while they rise to 4 percent for ISO 3200. The ISO test scenes were displayed on a NEC MultiSync PA271W ($999.00 Amazon).
I was pleased to find that the XE captures a great deal of detail at ISO 3200. The ISO 6400 test results show strong detail, however there is a noticeable loss in color saturation and slight green tint. Similar results are obtained at ISO 12500. You can adjust the colors using Lightroom, however you might prefer shooting in black and white when ISO is at its highest levels.
Raw DNG files can also be captured by the X-E. Raw images can store more information than JPGs. This gives you some flexibility when it comes to adjusting the exposure or color balance of photos after they have been taken. Like other recent Leica cameras—including the T and the X (Typ 113)—Raw images are slightly overexposed when compared with JPGs.
While I did adjust the exposure for images taken in the field, the Raw ISO crop that is included in this slideshow has not been modified. At ISO 3200 and below, Raw images are a bit brighter than JPGs, but show a very similar amount of detail—evidence that Leica has taken a hands-off approach when it comes to in-camera noise reduction. There is a slightly magenta cast at ISO 6400, but it's much less noticeable at ISO 12500.
This effect is probably due to the JPG engine. The X-E's green tint in JPG counterparts may be explained by the JPG engine. Although I could reduce the effect by lowering the saturation of the magenta channels in Lightroom to make it less noticeable, ISO 12500 works best for black-and white conversions.
Video capture is not supported by the X-E. It does come with a mini HDMI port so that you can attach it to your HDTV and view images on large screens. You can also connect it to your computer via a miniature USB port. The device has one memory card slot, which supports SDHC and SDXC cards. It also comes with an external charger. The same batteries are used in the X1,X2,and X3 (Typ 113)
Although the Leica X-E (Typ 1022) may seem old, it is a repackaging from a Leica X-E that has been in use for a while. The camera has a few advantages, such as a small design and an APS-C sensor. It also comes with a sharp lens and an image processing engine that emphasizes details rather than noise reduction. It is also limited by the lack of video support and a lower-resolution rear LCD. The X-E's image quality should not be a problem, however, at $1,800, it can seem a little too costly for its price.
You might consider the Leica X (Typ 113), which features a brighter f/1.7 zoom lens, a manual focus ring and sharper rear displays. It also supports 1080p video and an add-on EVF. Or, you could go wild and get Sony's full frame RX1, at $2,800. Our Editors Choice Fujifilm X100S, priced at $1300, is a compact camera that features a large image sensor with a fixed prime lens and excellent images. It's also available as a replacement for the X100S, which is $1,300.
Although it has been officially announced, the X100T is still not available. Although the X100T has the same processing engine, image sensor and lens as the X100S it also features some refinements and a Classic Chrome film simulation mode.