While Leica's most recent fixed-lens compact camera, the full-frame Q ($8,988.00 at Amazon) , is a technological marvel, the company hasn't always released compacts that are as polished. The X (Typ 113) ( at Amazon) , released late in 2014, delivered solid image quality for its class when we reviewed it, but was slow to focus and had some operational quirks. Now Leica has taken the same camera and redesigned its body to make it make it waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, in the form of the X-U (Typ 113). Most underwater cameras feature small sensors that limit image quality, putting the X-U with its SLR-sized image sensor in a class of its own. But it is quite expensive at $2,950, and shares the quirks of the standard X model. Our Editors' Choice underwater camera is still the Olympus Tough TG-4, but you should give the Leica consideration if you're after the more detailed images that a large image sensor delivers—just be prepared to pay for it. DesignThe X-U ( at Amazon) is a...
The Leica X-U (Typ 113) is a ruggedized, waterproof compact camera with an SLR-sized image sensor that takes great photos, but it's very expensive.
Waterproof to 49 feet; Shockproof to 4-foot drops; Grippy rubber exterior; Cold shoe accessory mount; Bright f/1.7 lens; Sharp rear display; APS-C image sensor; Strong manual focus experience; Detailed images at high ISO
Expensive; Slow autofocus; Tends to overexpose Raw images; Doesn't support true full manual control; Omits Wi-Fi