X1 to X2 Upgrade? Worth it?

[Patek Calatrava]

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I imagine this has been discussed before, but as an X1 purchaser, I was chagrined that Leica brought out the X2 weeks after I had purchased the X1 from B&H. Of course, if I had done my homework, I would have learned about the upcoming upgrade. Well, I've had the X1 for about a year now, and as my first Leica, it has really impressed. I haven't picked up my Nikon D90 in months, not that there is anything wrong with it. Since I now have the "bug", does it make any sense at all to sell the X1 and pick up the X2?

[jlindstrom]

If you need the slightly improved AF-speed or the megapixels, then yes. Otherwise probably not so much. If those are not necessary, then maybe hold out to see the X3 when that comes in a year or two.

 

//Juha

[spylaw4]

Yes it is generally worth the upgrade IMO. Faster autofocus, greatly improved battery life, and the end of that annoying pop-up flash!

[wda]

Patek, welcome to the forum.

 

I asked myself that question having bought one of the first X1 cameras after its launch. Having learned to live with its few foibles, my results are still stunning. I use it almost daily and have concluded that I could not justify the upgrade this time. The X1 remains a highly usable top-class camera and I have missed extremely few shots attributable to its slower auto-focusing. The choice is a very personal one.

[symmetron]

I own an X1 and was also interested in upgrading until I borrowed an X2 at a Leica sponsored walk-around in DC about two weeks ago.

 

They seemed much more the same than different. The X2 focused slightly faster sometimes (IMO), but also had the same focusing difficulties on challenging subjects as the X1; if you know what I mean.

 

I detected no difference in IQ and in fact preferred te X1. Also, the X2 I had seemed to have a somewhat greenish cast to the on-borad images in the LCD which I could not adjust out using the LCD adjustments.

 

There were a few differences in the menu, but nothing earth shattering. And, of course, Leica finally got the dials/knobs to not move so easily.

 

In the end, I felt that upgrading wasn't worth the expense. In the US, the X1 is about half its original value, at best. Hardly worth taking a $1K hit for pretty much the same camera IMO.