LEICA CL typ7323

The youngest of the APS-C sensor Leicas

A review and Photo example of the LEICA CL.

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Review

Overview
Usage
Mount adapter

1．Overview

The LEICA CL typ7323 was released at the end of 2017 and is the last L-mount mirrorless camera as of 2024, equipped with a 24MP APS-C size sensor.

The basic color variations are black and silver, and the camera is sold in a limited edition of 50 units, the “Carbon Limited Edition,” the “Bauhaus 100th Anniversary Edition,” the “Leica CL” Edition Paul Smith,” the “Leica CL” Edition Paul Smith,” the “Leica CL” Edition Paul Smith,” the “Leica CL” Edition Paul Smith,” the “Leica CL” Edition Paul Smith” … The battery is the Leica BP-DC12, the same as the V-LUX4 / V-LUX(114) / V-LUX5, Leica CL, and Leica Q (Typ116), and is said to be compatible with Panasonic’s DMW-BLC12 and Sigma BP-51.

The button layout on the back is the same as the Leica M10, with three buttons on the left and a cross key on the right.

Genuine thumb rests and leather cases are available. The strap attachment bracket, which was not well received on the Leica T, has a standard shape.

LEICA’s mirrorless cameras with APS-C size sensors ended with the TL2 and this CL, released in 2017, in contrast to Sony, which continues to release cameras with APC-C sensors as of 2024.

2．Usage

When I was looking for a replacement for my broken LEICA T, I heard that this CL had arrived from a camera shop, so I traded in various items and paid extra to get it. Although I didn’t really need it, it came with a Sigma mirrorless zoom lens, the SIGMA 18-50 DC DN. This lens wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was cheap and took good pictures.

When I bought it, I had already sold all the lenses for my Leica TL and Leica SL, so the only lenses I could use were the SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary and the Panasonic LUMIX S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 S-R2060. The autofocus (AF) speed is the same as the TL series, and although it’s not very fast, it’s not so bad that it impairs its practicality. The AF focusing accuracy is fine for general subjects, but it still has trouble focusing on cats through fences or in the depths of bushes.

The APS-C size, 24MP image sensor has sufficient resolution and image quality. It seems to be the same as the TL2, and it is difficult to tell the difference when shuffling the shooting results.

The body design is a base body with units added for each function, so it is a bit disjointed and does not feel a cohesive overall, so preferences vary. Personally, I don’t mind it once I get used to it because it is a complete form once the functions necessary for shooting are added.

You can feel the evolution of the years since the Leica T, and the built-in EVF in particular makes you feel good.

I purchased the genuine optional thumb rest and leather case. The bottom of the leather case opens to access the battery and memory card, and there is a pocket for the memory card in that area, which is very useful equipment for me who is forgetful.

The latest firmware 4.1 only lists the fixes as “bug fixes,” so it is unclear what has been fixed.

3．Mount adapter

I used the R-Adapter-T: 16076 with the LEICA R lens VARIO ELMAR-R21-35ASPH., and after seeing the results, I felt that I couldn’t shoot casually in MF. The focus peak display is quite difficult to distinguish with wide-angle lenses, and the display makes it seem like it’s about plus or minus 1m off. It’s easier to get the focus by using the dial to enlarge the view image rather than using the focus peak.

Because the sensor size is APS-C, you’ll need a focal reducer adapter to use the LEICA-R lens, but the L-mount APS-C camera ends with this CL, and Panasonic/SIGMA probably won’t bother to release an APS-C camera, so I don’t think such a product will be released.

For more information on mount adapters, please see the Leica T, which has a detailed introduction.

Specification and Competitor

Items	LEICA T(Typ701)	LEICA TL	LEICA TL2	LEICA CL
Effective Pixels	1,603万画素	1,620万画素	2,424万画素	←
Image sensor	APS-C	←	←	←
Internal recorded memory	16GB	32GB	←	なし
Internal Flash	あり	←	None	←
Back LCD	3.7″ TFT LCD　 1.3 million dots	←	←	3.0″ TFT LCD　 1.04 million dots
View Finder	Option (VISOFLEX)	←	←	2.36 million dots Electronic Viewfinder
Recorded memory	SD/SDHC/SDXC	←	←	←
Battery	BP-DC 13	←	←	BP-DC12
Size(mm)	W x H x D 134 × 69 × 33	←	←	W x H x D 131 × 78 × 45
重量(g)	384 (Include battery)	←	399 (Include battery)	403 (Include battery)
Body color	Silver Black Limited color	Silver Black Titan	Silver Black	Silver Black
Release date	May 26, 2014	November 26, 2016	August 10, 2017	December 16, 2017