This Leica's ready to take a dive

It seems like it's the season for APS-C enthusiast compact announcements: Leica follows on the heels of Fujifilm, adding another model to its X-series fixed-lens cameras. The new Leica X-U is essentially the Leica X with a body retrofitted to be water- and weatherproof, the first the company has offered.

Like the X, it incorporates a 16.2MP sensor and a fixed focal-length 23mm f1.7 lens.

As you'd expect, you pay a premium for the ruggedizing. It's $2,950/£2,400 compared with $2,300 (£1,550, about AU$2,700) for the plain-old X. Sorry, Australians, it doesn't look like it's been announced there yet, but its US price directly converts to AU$4,300; the UK price converts to AU$3,200, however, so hopefully it won't be quite so expensive when or if it becomes available there.

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'Proof specifications:

• Waterproof to 49 ft/15m for up to 60 minutes of shooting (IP68-compliant)
• Shockproof against falls from 4 ft/1.2m (MIL-STD 810G, method 516.52-compliant)
• Dustproof (IP68 rating indicates completely dust-sealed)

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In addition, it has a built-in protective glass filter on the front of the lens and a rubber exterior for better grippage. However, despite Leica's encouragement to take it out in the snow, it's not cold-proof: it has the same operating range as most other cameras, 32°-104° F/0°-40° C.

Comparative specs