Last Updated on 02/18/2025 by Nilofer Khan
Leica has some truly exceptional collaborations under its belt. The company announced the L-system with Sigma, Panasonic, and even DJI, as well as artists and emerging photographers who have used the device. With the company celebrating its centennial anniversary, it has some exciting things in store for its users. For instance, it is launching a new Sofort camera in collaboration with Burton Snowboards. Here’s how this camera is different from others.
Leica Sofort 2 Burton Edition is a special version of the company’s popular hybrid instant camera inspired by the “Jake Blue” design. This camera pays tribute to snowboarding pioneer Jake Burton Carpenter, who was an avid Leica user. Carpenter, born in 1977, founded Burton Snowboards, which has played a crucial role in the rise of snowboarding by creating great products, a community of snowboarders, and pushing resorts to allow snowboarding.
According to Leica, the Sofort 2 Burton Edition has a striking pattern and features Burton’s logo on the camera’s top cover. The camera comes with a bag to ensure photographers can carry it easily. The device combines digital photography with the tangibility of instant prints, allowing users to print selected photos directly. You can also easily integrate the camera with the Leica FOTOS app, which enables users to print images captured on their smartphones or other Leica cameras.
Here are some other Leica Sofort 2 Burton Edition:
- Has a 1/5-inch CMOS sensor, 2560×1920 pixels (4.9MP).
- Includes Leica Summar 2.4 f/2 (equivalent to approx. 28mm format), aperture range f2 to f16 (automatic exposure control).
- Comes with a 3-inch TFT LCD, approx. 460,000 dots.
- Has internal memory of approx. 45 images. It can be used with a microSD/microSDHC card (approx. 850 images with 1GB microSD).
- USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C interface.
- 320g weight.
- Creative functions include Normal, Vignette, Soft Focus, Blur, Fisheye, Color Shift, Light Leak, Mirror, Double Exposure, and Half-Frame.
- Also includes Bluetooth 4.2 LE, 2402–2480MHz, maximum output 7.79dBm.
- MRP of $599.
The Leica Sofort 2 Burton Edition sounds like an exciting option for those who like to purchase an instant camera. However, if you want to purchase a new Instax, we suggest you look at other options. For instance, in our review of Sofort, we wrote: “If you sit here and compare the Leica Sofort, Fujifilm Instax Mini 90, Lomography Lomo’Instant, and Lomography Lomo’Instant Automat you’ll see that there isn’t a whole lot differentiating them all when it comes to image quality. Sure, they’ve all got cool features, but of any of them here, it seems like the Leica is the most overpriced option. It’s the most expensive of the bunch already, but then when you look at the fact that there aren’t a whole lot of distinguishing features on it then it becomes a bit tougher to justify it.”
Perhaps this one will be different. Since we have not tested the Sofort 2, we can’t really comment on the quality. However, considering the review, our only suggestion was that the camera has better functionality to help it distinguish itself from others. If the Leica Sofort 2 Burton Edition is able to achieve that, then we have a stronger competitor in a saturated camera world.
The camera is now available globally at Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, and authorized dealers. It comes in three colors: white, red, and black. For more information, visit Leica’s website.