The Leica X1 was quite unique when first announced, as one of very few cameras available with a large APS-C sized sensor. This partly justified the high price of the Leica X1, however since then, there has been a number of new cameras, with large sensors, such as the Fujifilm X100 with optical/electronic hybrid viewfinder, the Sigma DP1/DP2 Merrill with 46mp Foveon sensor, as well as a number of mirrorless cameras. ...

Leica liefert sehr gute Bildqualität in den niedrigen ISO-Bereichen, rauscht ab ISO 800 aber deutlich und tritt insgesamt hinter die Fuji zurück. Sowohl Leica als auch Sigma zeichnen die JPEGs stärker scharf als Fuji und pushen so die Auflösung, weisen aber stärkere Artefakte auf.

Die Leica X2 ist eine äußerst puristische Kamera. Wer ein Ausstattungsfeuerwerk mit Automatiken, Effekten etc. erwartet, liegt bei ihr eindeutig falsch. Die X2 bietet Verarbeitung auf höchstem Niveau gepaart mit klassischer Bedienung mittels Zeiten- und Blendenrad. Man muss sich schon mit der Fotografie auskennen, um die X2 adäquat bedienen zu können. ...

Der große Sensor, die lichtstarke Festbrennweite und das Leica-Logo haben ihren Preis.

The Leica X2 is a bit of curio, to be honest. When compared to the likes of the Sony NEX-7, Fujifilm X10 or Panasonic GF5, it comes across as slow, light on features, inflexible and expensive. And yes, it’s all those things. But it’s also a Leica, with the cachet, build quality and truly superb lens that that entails. ...

Given its price tag and narrowly focused (no pun intended) capabilities, the Leica X2 isn’t for most people, but it’ll find a useful role in the hands of anyone looking for an inconspicuous shooter for street photography. A highly desirable niche camera.

The X2 improves upon its predecessor and is a great, stylised statement camera. The fixed lens won’t suit all, but for the niche market its aimed at it’s a cracking compact camera.

The Leica X2 is a superb expert compact that'll please photo enthusiasts looking for a simple model that takes great-quality pictures and which isn't too slow to use. But the generally excellent quality makes it all the more difficult to overlook blips like the 230,000-dot screen and non-existent video mode.

The Leica X2 is one of the most compact cameras available with an APS-C sensor, and with a stylish body it features improved resolution, design and importantly focus speed. However, since the introduction of the X1, there are now a number of alternatives available that offer a large sensor such as the Fujifilm X100, as well as numerous mirrorless cameras for a fraction of the price of the X2. From what we've seen so far, the X2 offers excellent image quality with low noise up to ISO3200, but without video and an optional electronic viewfinder it may only appeal to Leica fans, or those with a large wallet. Find out more when we get our hands-on the camera for our full review shortly.