Leica's original APS-C compact — fixed 36mm equiv f/2.8 Elmarit in premium body.
The Leica X1 was released in 2009 as Leica's first APS-C compact camera, featuring a fixed 36mm equivalent f/2.8 Elmarit lens and an APS-C sensor in a compact body — establishing Leica's X series of fixed-lens APS-C compacts. Fixed prime — no interchangeable mount.
12.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor. Fixed Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 lens (36mm equivalent). Manual focus, zone focus, and autofocus (contrast-detect). ISO 100-3200. At approximately 269g. 2.7-inch LCD. Fixed prime — no interchangeable mount.
The X1 represented Leica's first APS-C fixed-lens compact — predating the X2, X Vario, X-E, X 113, and X-U that followed in the X series. The APS-C sensor provided image quality substantially above 1/2.3-inch compact cameras of the time. Contrast-detect AF was slow compared to phase-detect systems. The X series was eventually replaced by the Q/Q2 full-frame line.
On the used market the Leica X1 is a vintage APS-C fixed-lens compact. Condition checks: fixed 36mm equivalent lens front element for marks, LCD condition, AF response (slow by current standards), battery health (BP-DC8). Fixed prime — no interchangeable mount.