Leica's compact film camera with zoom — 35-70mm Vario-Elmar in a premium pocketable body.
The Leica Minilux Zoom launched in 1998 as a compact 35mm film camera with a built-in Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f/3.5-6.5 zoom. It extended the Minilux concept from fixed-lens to zoom in Leica's typically premium compact form factor.
The Leica Vario-Elmar zoom provides 35-70mm coverage — modest but practical. The variable f/3.5-6.5 aperture is slow. Programmed auto exposure. Autofocus. The Leica branding and build quality distinguish it from consumer zooms.
35mm film format. Leica Vario-Elmar 35-70mm f/3.5-6.5 zoom. Built-in flash. Compact metal body with Leica design. Autofocus. Premium build quality for a compact film camera.
Available used at mid-range prices — Leica premium. The slow zoom aperture was criticised. The fixed-lens Minilux with Summarit f/2.4 is more desirable. For Leica compact film collectors — the zoom version is less sought-after than the fixed-lens original.