A flash of inspiration: Leica X2 »Edition Paul Smith«

Special edition of Leica X2 combines digital technology with exclusive design from the world of international fashion

Photokina, Cologne, 17 September 2012: Leica Camera AG has revealed a new special edition in the Leica X range: the Leica X2 »Edition Paul Smith«. Paul Smith, the international fashion designer and entrepreneur, is the creative mind behind its flamboyant looks. Smith is regarded as one of the UK’s most successful designers and is famous for the use of bright and vibrant colours in his collections. The Leica X2 »Edition Paul Smith« is an extraordinary camera model that combines high performance digital technology, crafted in Germany, with extravagant styling from the world of fashion. This special edition is strictly limited to 1,500 units, and is likely to be considered as highly collectible by both Leica connoisseurs and lovers of exclusive lifestyle products.

A particularly striking feature of this special edition is the unusual combination of colours chosen by Paul Smith for the body of the Leica X2. The metal top plate of the camera is finished in dazzling bright orange. Here, only the dials on the top for setting the aperture and shutter speed maintain the familiar classic black design of the X2. A hand-drawn, engraved light bulb ‘doodle’, with which Paul Smith calls attention to the unusual pop-up flash on the top of the camera, is a further design highlight. In stark contrast to the orange of the top plate, the designer has chosen an eye-catching brilliant yellow for the metal base-plate of the Leica X2 »Edition Paul Smith«. This extravagant camera style makeover is rounded off by a premium natural cowhide leather finish in British Racing Green. In addition to its own unique serial number, each camera bears one of a series of consecutive limited edition numbers.

The special Leica X2 »Edition Paul Smith« set contains not only the beautifully-styled Leica X2, but also a selection of accessories that bear the unmistakeable mark of Paul Smith’s design. These include a carrying strap and a camera protector in taupe-coloured, premium calfskin. A high quality lens cleaning cloth labelled ‘Paul Smith for Leica’ and a certificate of authenticity are further exclusive additions to this premium camera set. The special edition is presented in distinctive packaging in co-ordinated colours, also created by the British fashion designer to complement the camera.

The technical specifications of this special edition replicate those of the standard X2 model. For example, the camera features an impressive APS-C format, professional CMOS image sensor with 16.5 megapixels (effective 16.2 MP).

Combined with a high-performance Leica Elmarit 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH. lens – a classic focal length for photojournalism – this sensor guarantees maximum image quality and superbly brilliant exposures. The camera’s profile is complemented by numerous setting options from full manual control to automatic functions and intuitive, user-friendly handling. All this, together with its elegant and stylish design, makes the Leica X2 the ideal premium-class compact camera for discerning photographers who wish to concentrate completely on their subjects, and who appreciate creative and true-to-life pictures. Full technical specifications for the Leica X2 can be found at: http://uk.leica-camera.com/photography/compact_cameras/x2/

Pricing and availability
The Leica X2 Edition Paul Smith is scheduled to be available in the UK at a suggested retail price of £2,000 inc VAT in October 2012.