Image Quality

Leica X2 review – Image Quality

Tone and Exposure

The X2 has the choice of three metering modes: Smart multizone metering, Centre-weighted or Spot. The Smart multizone metering performed very well; even in tricky lighting conditions where there was a mix of shadow and highlight detail, the X2 delivered pleasing results that would only need you to reach for the exposure compensation dial only occasionally.

White Balance and Colour

Set the X2 to Auto White Balance mode and it delivers pleasing, neutral results, while there’s also Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade, Electronic Flash, 2 manual settings and manual colour temperature settings.

Sharpness and Detail

With the large APS-C sized sensor and the high-quality Elmarit 24mm f/2.8 lens, the X2 is capable of delivering exceptionally sharp and detailed images. Looking at the images, and detail is maintained right across the frame, resolving right up to the edges of the shot.

Image Noise

The X2 offers a broad ISO range from 100-12,500, delivering smooth, clear results up to ISO 800. Above that, and as you’d expect, image noise becomes more prominent at every ISO increment. That said, even at ISO 6400 images are more than useable, with a pleasing, natural grain-like structure rather than the more uniform noise patterns common to images from other cameras.