John Shingleton’s Indian adventure and his comments on the Leica X Vario reminded me once more that this camera, which got off to such a bad start, is a gem. If you accept it for what it is—a versatile, high-quality but relatively slow fixed-lens zoom—this APS-C compact will reward you with consistently good results. I made this point when I reviewed the camera just after its launch in 2014 and everything I have seen and heard has only reinforced my original view. The lens is one of the best, designed by Peter Karbe and capable of astounding results.
Unlike the Q, which remains on backorder seven months after launch, the X Vario was never in such demand. Now it is something of a bargain. It is still listed at £2,150 but I’ve found new cameras for as low as £1,250 from British-based retailers. At the time of writing, even Leica Mayfair had an ex-demo model available for £1,200. Worth a shot, in my opinion.
Strangely, there are not as many X Varios on the used market as I would have expected to see. I checked a number of dealer websites and couldn’t find much worth shouting about. Could this mean that those people who get their hands on an X Vario are so pleased that they are reluctant to part? Or that any that do come on the market are snapped up immediately? A used X Vario at around £800 would be a bargain indeed.
I know several friends, including John Shingleton and Don Morley, who swear by this camera. As with John’s beloved X1, the X Vario is likely to become that rare beast, a digital classic.
The resolution of the lens cannot be faulted and if one finds that the 70mm setting is too ‘short’ for a particular situation, enormous crops can be made without excessive degradation. For me the X-Vario is the one I grab when I find myself dithering over which body (digital or film) and lens combination to use for an outing. Shame the EVF was not built-in though!
I agree. Also, as you say, the lack of a built-in viewfinder is a major obstacle–as it is with the T and X. I think Leica has accepted this criticism with the Q and SL. Let’s hope all future cameras will have built-in EVFs (and that future Ms will stick to rangefinder only).
I entirely agree
The lens is nothing short of superb and the camera itself is a joy to use
The results speak for themselves.
I feel that, as with the T, Leica missed a trick by not giving T the sort of build up an launch it has subsequently done so well with the Q, SL and the MM 246.
I would strongly recommend the X Vario as a first Leica and/or a back up to the M
I am keeping mine
Excellent article thank you
Regards
Rob
Thanks, Rob. Much appreciated. You might have seen that no less a person than Dr Kaufmann has weighed in to support the article on his Facebook page and I’ve been in correspondence.
https://www.facebook.com/andreas.h.kaufmann/posts/10207197908240143