Lecia X Line Shows Off High-End Ruggedized Camera

The Leica X-U is a rugged camera for hardcore adventures, but you'll have to pay for it.

If you have plenty of experience in photography, you’ve probably found plenty of little ways to protect your gear when going off the beaten path – and probably spent plenty on replacements and repairs, too. Leica wants to make professional photography a bit easier with its first ruggedized digital camera, the X-U Typ 113.

The specs for this Leica model include the 16.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, which has an ISO range of 100 to 12500, and supports 5 fps continuous shooting. It also includes options for 30 fps HD video recording. The lens is a 3mm equivalent, built-in Summilux designed specifically to decrease distortions in tough photography conditions.

Features include an 11-point autofocus system and the usual assortment of modes for different conditions. Buy the camera, and you’ll get a free copy of Lightroom too – although this doesn’t make much of a dent in the high preorder price, which nears $3,000. We’re definitely in DSLR territory with this model, but the lack of lens exchange is a little awkward.

This ruggedized camera only has one lens…is that a dealbreaker?

The camera also has a 3-inch LCD screen, but a focus on manual dials that are less susceptible to the elements. The ruggedized case housing the camera is ready for just about anything: This Leica can do to depths of 49 feet for up to 15 minutes (there’s even a special underwater mode), survive falls from four feet to the ground, and protect its lens from all kinds of dust damage. It even has anti-slip grips to improve handheld stability.

While the market for ruggedized digital cameras may be a little more niche than some of the other camera products we’ve seen in our electronics reviews, there are probably enough people who want to upgrade from their GoPros to a more professional option. It’s too bad the lens isn’t interchangeable, but protection has its costs. The X-U Typ 113 is open for preorder now, and costs a hefty $2,950. If you want a different lens, we advise you to take a look at some of the other X models, which also feature protection from the elements.