V-Lux 40, X2 and M Monochrom announced

Leica has today announced a trio of new cameras. The first of the new compacts is the new Leica V-Lux 40. The model features a 14.1MP CMOS sensor, a 20x Leica-made optical zoom and 3in touch screen.

The compact also features HD video capture and an on-board GPS sensor that facilitates geo-tagging of captured images, making the V-Lux 40 certainly one for the travel photographer to consider.

The V-Lux 40 is due with Leica dealers later this month, with an RRP of £550; while customers can choose to pair the model with either a tan leather case for £80, or soft leather pouch for £63.

The next of Leica’s new models is the second generation of its X series, namely the X2. The model features a new 16.2 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, paired with a Leica lens fixed at 24mm and with an f/2.8 maximum aperture.

With the X2 featuring a 1.5x crop factor, Leica claims the resulting 36mm focal length is a ‘truly classic focal length’. The model features a 2.7in LCD screen, while an accessory shoe offers supported for the Leica SF 24D and SF58 flash units, as well as an electronic viewfinder.

The Leica X2 is also due in with Leica dealers later this month, and features an RRP of £1,575.

The final all-new camera is no less than world’s first digital rangefinder with a dedicated, full-frame black and white sensor – the Leica M Monochrom. The model features a sensor which lacks a Bayer Pattern filter meaning that it never has to split light in to colours, and thus dispenses of complicated colour algorithms. As a result, Leica promises ‘true’ black and white images, significantly sharper than colour equivalents.

Such a technology comes at a cost however, with the Leica M Monochrom due to feature an RRP of £6,120 when it hits stores towards the end of July.

For more information on the trio of new cameras, head on over to the Leica website.