Camera Features
Lens Features

Camera Features

Overview: The Leica CL Vario Kit consists of the Leica CL interchangeable lens camera and the Vario-Elmar-TL 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH zoom lens. The kit includes a rechargeable battery, battery charger, and leather neck strap.

CL Camera Body: The all-black Leica CL has the classic looks of a 35mm film camera with the latest technology of a DSLR. The top plate and base plate are made of machined anodized aluminum. The front and rear shells are made of magnesium with an elegant leather wrapper. The camera is handcrafted at the Leica factory in Wetzlar, Germany.

APS-C Image Sensor: The CL is equipped with an APS-C sized (23.6 x 15.7mm) CMOS image sensor with 24.96 total/24.24 million effective pixels. The image sensor has a 3:2 aspect ratio. Coupled with the APS-C sensor is a MAESTRO II generation image processor.

Lenses: The CL has the L-bayonet mount for Leica TL- and SL-lenses. With the appropriate adapter, you can use Leica M or R lenses with the camera.

Monitor: The camera has a 3" TFT LCD touchscreen monitor with 1.04 MP resolution. The touch controls are similar to those on most mobile devices, with tap, swipe, pinch, and spread actions. On the top plate is a small LCD screen (128 x 58 pixels) to indicate camera settings.

Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the CL is equipped with the 2.36MP EyeRes Viewfinder with 1024 x 768 resolution and 0.74 x ±4 diopter settings. An eye sensor near the viewfinder automatically switches from the viewfinder to the monitor.

Memory Cards: The CL has a single slot that will accept SD, SDHC, SDXC memory cards. The camera is compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II high-speed cards.

Battery: The camera is powered by the BP-DC12 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (7.2V 1200mAh, 8.7Wh). The battery charges is approximately 140 minutes using the supplied BC-DC12. A fully charged battery has the capacity for approximately 220 shots.

Top-Mounted Controls: The top panel has two setting wheels on either side of the shutter release. The controls for the wheels can be assigned to numerous functions, including shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and ISO sensitivity. You can also press the button in the center of the left setting wheel to select the recording mode.

Still Image Types/Sizes: The CL can record still images in JPEG in 3:2 aspect ratio in three sizes: 24MP (6000 x 4000), 12MP (4272 x 2856), and 6MP (3024 x 2016). You can also record uncompressed DNG files at 6016 x 4014 (24 MP). If desired, you can record both JPEG and DNG files simultaneously.

Movie Recording: Movies are recorded in MP4 format. Video recordings can be up to 29 minutes in length, with a maximum file size of 4 GB. You can choose from the following resolutions:

• 4K: 3840 x 2160p, 30 fps
• Full HD: 1920 x 1080p, 60 fps or 30 fps
• HD: 1280 x 720p, 30 fps

Recording Modes: The Leica CL offers the following Recording Modes:

• P (Automatic Program): The camera automatically sets the aperture and shutter speed based on the exposure metering.
• S (Shutter Priority): Lets you set the shutter speed, while the camera chooses the aperture setting based on the exposure metering. Shutter speed range is 30s to 1/25000 (up to 1/8000 with mechanical shutter; beyond that with electronic shutter)
• A (Aperture Priority): Lets you choose the aperture setting, while the camera chooses the shutter speed based on the exposure metering. Aperture range with the included lens is f/3.5 to f/16.
• M: (Manual): Full manual setting lets you set both the shutter speed and aperture.
• Movies: Records 4K or HD movies
• Scene: Preset modes for shooting in specific situations: fully automatic, sport, portrait, landscape, night portrait, snow/beach, fireworks, candlelight, sunset, digiscoping, miniature, panorama, and HDR.

Drive Modes: The menu offers the following drive modes:

• Single: Normal, single image recording.
• Continuous Shooting: In Continuous Shooting mode, you can choose from High, Medium, or Low Speed. At high speed, the camera can record up to 10 frames per second at full resolution. The maximum number of photos that can be taken at one time is 140 (JPEG only) or 33 (DNG+JPEG).
• Interval: For shooting a series of photos over an extended period, you can set the camera to record a specific number of images over a set amount of time. You can even delay the beginning of the recording. In the menu, you can select the following:
  • Number of Frames: 1 to 9999
  • Interval between Frames: 1 second to 24 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds
  • Countdown to First Shot: 1 second to 24 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds
• Self Timer: You can set the self timer to 2 seconds (to avoid camera shake) or 12 seconds (to allow the photographer time to get into the picture)
• Exposure Bracketing: Exposure Bracketing lets you take three images, each with different exposure compensation. Bracketing range is ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments.

Focus Methods: The Leica CL utilizes contrast-based autofocus with 49 metering points. You can select from the following auto focusing methods: single point, multi-zone, face detection, and touch AF.

Metering: The CL lets you choose from three methods of measuring the light of the scene you're about to shoot. You can select the following metering methods: Multi-zone, center-weighted, and spot metering.

Exposure Compensation: You can adjust the exposure above or below the metered exposure. The range of exposure compensation is ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments.

White Balance: The Leica CL offers automatic white balance correction, as well as the following presets: Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen Lighting, Shadow, Electronic Flash, Memory 1, Memory 2, and a manual color temperature setting.

ISO Sensitivity: You can adjust the ISO sensitivity manually or automatically. Manual settings range between ISO 100 and ISO 50000.

External Flash: The camera does not have a built-in flash. On the top of the camera is an ISO accessory shoe with center and control contracts for Leica flash units. Flash synchronization is 1/180 second. You can also adjust the exposure with flash by ±3 EV in 1/3 EV increments.

Built-in Wi-Fi: The camera has built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) for connecting to your smartphone or tablet. Using the Leica CL app on your device, you can remotely control the camera, and manage images on the camera's memory card. You can see the camera's live view on your device, perform Touch AF, change settings, trigger the shutter release, and start/stop video recordings. Images on the memory card can be viewed, rated, or deleted, shared on social media sites, or stored on your smart device in full resolution. The Leica CL app is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch running iOS 8.0 or later. It is also compatible with Android devices running version 4.1 and up.

Lens Features

Included Lens: The Leica CL Vario kit includes the Vario-Elmar-TL 18-56mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH zoom lens. The camera has the Leica L-bayonet mount, and is also compatible with the Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH prime lens.

Lens Hood: The lens includes a petal-shaped lens hood (12425) to protect the front element, and to block stray light from entering the lens. The lens hood adds approximately 1-3/4" to length of the lens, when installed. When not in use, it can be reverse-mounted on the lens for storage.

Specifications:

• Focal Length: 18-56mm
• 35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 28-85mm
• Type of Mount: Leica L bayonet type (with contact strip)
• Filter Diameter: 52mm
• Focusing Range: 11.8" (0.3m) to infinity at 18mm; 17.7" (0.45m) to infinity at 56mm
• Focusing Modes: Automatic (AF) or Manual (M), in AF mode manual override possible at any time
• Aperture Range: f/3.5 to f/16 (at 18mm); f/5.6 to f/16 (at 56mm)
• Lens Construction: 10 elements in 7 groups (including 4 aspherical surfaces)
• Angle of View:
  • At 18mm: 75° Diagonal, 62° Horizontal, 41° Vertical
  • At 56mm: 28° Diagonal, 23° Horizontal, 15° Vertical
• Dimensions: Diameter: 2.476", Length: 2.682" (3.192" w/caps)
• Weight: approximately 9 ounces