Leica X-U: The most expensive rugged camera of all time

Leica cameras have a reputation for their gorgeous optics and the kind of prices only the Trump-set can afford. Their durability, however, has never been notable. The new Leica X-U might not change Leica’s reputation as a purveyor of cameras for rich people, but you can drop it off the side of the boat and not lose all your pictures.

That’s pretty cool. The X-U is cut from the same cloth as the more affordable Leica T — which means no viewfinder, a 3-inch LCD screen on the back, a 16.5-megapixel APS-C sensor. Unlike the Leica T, the X-U features a fixed lens (a 23mm lens with a wicked fast f/1.7 aperture) and a rugged black exterior that’s sealed to make the camera dust resistant. It’s also winterised, which will allow the camera to operate in temperatures more frigid than a Leica is usually operated in, and it’s shockproof too. Leica claims it can survive a fall of up to 3.9 feet.



Yet the big deal is the waterproofing. The Leica X-U can be submerged in water up to 49 feet without any damage to it’s pricey internals. For $3,000 you can finally have peace of mind when you take your Leica with you aboard your yacht. That’s pricier than a typical rugged camera strapped to a selfie stick or an action camera like the GoPro, but those cameras also don’t feature the kind of optics a Leica is capable of.

(Pics: us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-X/Leica-X-U)