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What Does the New Leica X1 Firmware Update Mean For You?

Chris Gampat
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03/28/2011
3 Mins read

Last Updated on 03/30/2011 by Chris Gampat

Today, Leica issued a firmware update for the X1. Indeed, it is already quite the powerhouse of a camera that will powerbomb your wallet. Rumors were abound though that the Leica X1’s firmware update was perhaps to make it more of a competitor to the Fujifilm X100. So here’s the thing: we know how the X100 will function. Does the firmware update indeed make it more of a competitor?

According to Leica’s press release, the firmware update provides:

  • Improved manual focusing, with the focus screen showing the image based on an open aperture
  • More accurate manual focusing with finer steps, when scrolling slowly with the click wheel
  • Two manual focusing speeds for more accurate and faster manual focus operation
  • Manual focusing lock now available
  • Enlarged manual focusing scale display
  • Depth of field scale displayed in manual focusing mode
  • Manual focus settings retained in memory when camera is switched off
  • Improved autofocus speed in low light conditions and with low contrast subjects, in particular when shooting multiple images of the same subject
  • ISO setting displayed in Auto ISO mode
  • Improved JPEG image quality

So what do we get? It seems like there is mostly improvements to manually focusing, autofocusing in low light, improved image quality (which I’m not totally sure is possible without sensor tweaks) and…that seems to be it.

As it is, using the camera while manually focusing will be similar (though not spot on with) manually focusing a Micro Four Thirds camera of some sort. Of course, I know that you can’t focus via a ring around the lens. I did a hands on for Eric over at Photography Bay a while ago. In fact, the camera is much bigger and feels a bit like my old Leica CL.

In terms of ergonomics, the X100 has a viewfinder (that is both electronic and optical depending on the setting.) If you prefer to hold the camera up to your eye for focusing and for less camera shake, it seems like the X100 may be the go to camera for you.

Additionally, the X100 is built more rugged, and has a faster lens.

So why should one go with the Leica?

I’m not exactly sure at this point.

This isn’t a situation like the Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic LX-5 or even the S95 vs the D-LUX 5. And though these smaller cameras are nice, the X100 and X1 are the perfect sized small cameras for street photography. In fact, those are the photographers that these cameras are directly targeting.

Sure, there is something very disarming about composing and shooting via the LCD screen vs a viewfinder, and the X1 forces you to do that. But there are many photographers out there that prefer to use the viewfinder instead.

What do you think? Do you think the X1 will stand a chance to the X100? Let us know in the comments below.

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comparison firmware update fujifilm leica manual focusing specs X1 x100
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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