Leica CL Mirrorless Digital Camera with 18mm Lens (Black)

The Leica CL is a small, sleek mirrorless camera that delivers excellent images, but its interface needs some refinement.

• +

  Compact body with integrated EVF. Touch LCD. 24MP APS-C image sensor. 4K video. Mechanical and electronic shutter options. 9.8fps burst shooting. Wi-Fi.

• -

  Some interface quirks. Locked video frame rates. No in-body flash. Expensive.

The Leica CL is a good-looking mirrorless camera produced by a company with an excellent reputation in the photographic field. The small size, especially with a small lens, makes it very portable, and offering the universal Raw DNG format is a real plus.

When used on the Leica SL, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate APS-C format for this lens (23.6 x 15.7mm). Therefore, all data listed above remains valid in such cases also.

We much preferred the Leica CL to the TL2 we reviewed in November, partly because of its more conventional styling and controls but mostly because it has an excellent built-in EVF. It would have felt better in the hands if Leica had added a grip moulding to the front and a thumb rest to the rear and...

Like the before it, the CL relies on contrast detection for autofocus, and the focus point can be set anywhere in the frame. There’s a broad range of AF area selection methods on offer, including two freely positionable modes called Field and Spot with different-sized focus points, alongside...

• +

  Superb, rock-solid build quality, Large, clear electronic viewfinder, Cleverly conceived control setup, Excellent RAW image quality

• -

  No image stabilisation, No live view during continuous shooting, Touch-focus conflicts with viewfinder use, Limited exposure control during video

The compact system camera market at the moment is particularly strong, with something to suit just about every type of customer.Traditionally, Leica users are those who crave high image quality in a body which is well-built and has traditional looks.

These vintage film camera reviews are very fun for me to write. I have enjoyed and still am enjoying using the Leica CL. It’s a fantastic camera and will perform well no matter what lens you put on it, providing you’re aware of the framing.

I kept my expectations low for this camera due to the mixed online reviews from sources I trust, but man, am I just blown away. The Leica CL is the PERFECT everyday camera! Finally a pro-worthy Leica camera that can legitimately fit in the pocket.

• +

  Pocketable, outstanding image quality

• -

  No IBIS, lack of weather sealing

I have owned my CL for about 3 weeks. I have found the controls easy to use. The only disappointment is the App that goes with the CL. It is not intuitive and difficult to use. As the camera does not have any ports for external cables or ways of using a remote release, they need to fix the app where...

Awesome image quality, and while my Leica D-Lux 109 is closer in comparison to feel of the M4's I used in the 1970's, the organization of controls on this camera, once learned, make sense. Haptics are good, feel is good...and did I say the images are fantastic?

A perfect 21st century Leica rangefinder. Intuitve and exquisite.