10/05/2012

Super-zoom compact digital camera with touch-screen, 20x zoom, GPS and HD video, perfect for recording special sporting, travel and holiday memories

Leica Camera AG has today announced the V-Lux 40, a pocket-sized, super-zoom compact digital camera with a host of useful features for capturing sporting events, holidays and special occasions.

This versatile new compact offers enhanced performance from the 15.3 megapixel (14.1 effective MP), 1/2.33” CMOS sensor, and features a Leica DC Vario-Elmar 4.3–86 mm f/3.3–6.4 ASPH. lens with an extensive 20x optical zoom. Thanks to this impressive range of focal lengths, equivalent to 24 to 480 mm in 35mm format, the Leica V-Lux 40 is the perfect companion for getting closer to the action, whether it be on safari, at an outdoor festival, or capturing the excitement at the athletics track.

The combination of the high quality Leica lens and new sensor ensures outstanding pictures in a wide range of shooting conditions, with high dynamic range and particularly low-noise images at sensitivities up to ISO 3200, making the camera ideal for use both indoors and outdoors, even in low light. In addition, the autofocus speed of 0.1 seconds enables fast and accurate focusing on moving subjects.

For a camera of such small dimensions, the Leica V-Lux 40 boasts an outstanding set of features. For quick and simple handling, an intuitive 3” touch screen LCD screen provides easy access to the camera’s key controls, as well as clear playback and review of images thanks to its 460,000 pixel display. An integrated GPS function allows users to record the location of their images, while video recording in full HD format gives users the option of creating impressive movie footage.

The Leica V-Lux 40’s enormous range of focal lengths makes it ideal for almost all photographic scenarios. For expansive landscapes, finely detailed macro studies at short distances or for shots of distant objects with its super-telephoto setting, the Leica lens, with its high-precision aspherical lenses and image stabilisation technology, delivers outstanding results every time.

Users can choose from an extensive selection of creative imaging options – from a continuous shooting rate of ten frames per second at full resolution, and even 60 frames per second in high-speed mode, to creative modes with effects such as miniature, panorama and retro. The entire 20x zoom range is available during movie recording and an integrated stereo microphone with an electronic wind noise filter guarantees a crystal-clear soundtrack. Videos can now also be saved in Internet-friendly MP4 format and can be uploaded directly to social media or mobile devices, without the need for conversion.

For anyone travelling, the useful built-in GPS module is a welcome feature, enabling the photographer to record the geographical coordinates and local time of every shot captured in the Exif data of the image file.* Furthermore, the camera can display local landmarks and the sightseeing highlights (1,000,000 ‘points of interest’), while a DVD included in the package provides maps of important cities and regions. Once transferred to an SD memory card, these maps can be uploaded to the camera and used for orientation in unfamiliar locations. Photos can also be stored within the maps as thumbnail images.

As with all Leica cameras, the V-Lux 40 has been designed to look timeless, elegant and discreet, with a matt black chassis complemented by chrome-coloured controls. An optional high quality, tan-coloured leather case completes the classic styling – making it a perfect companion for all occasions.

Included software
The Leica V-Lux 40 is supplied with a comprehensive software package comprising Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 10 for still-image processing and Adobe® Premiere® Elements 10, designed especially for video processing.

Pricing and availability
The Leica V-Lux 40 is scheduled to be available in the UK from May 2012 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica dealers is available at www.leica-camera.co.uk. The suggested retail price of the Leica V-Lux 40 is £550 inc. VAT.

Accessory prices (inc. VAT)
Tan leather case with shoulder strap - £80
Soft brown leather pouch - £63

Leica warranty and added value services
The Leica V-Lux 40 comes with a two-year warranty and a one-year Leica UK ‘Passport’ (complimentary accidental damage cover). UK customers are also welcome to visit the Leica Store and Akademie in Mayfair, London, for a complimentary demonstration or training session on the features of the camera. Technical support by telephone is available via Leica’s London-based Client Care department.

Notes to Editors
For further information, high resolution images or product samples, please contact one of the following:
Jenny Hodge, tel 07920 291920, email jenny.hodge@leica-camera.co.uk
Clare Lingfield, tel 07881 587186, email clare.lingfield@leica-camera.co.uk
Simon Wittenberg, tel 07867 804471, email lcpr@sidhuandsimon.com

Media contact details for Leica North America
Evins Communications, Ltd., Tel: 212-688-8200
Julia Covelli, tel 212-377-3593, email julia.covelli@evins.com

LEICA V-LUX 40: Technical specifications

Lens	Leica DC-Vario-Elmar 4.3-86mm f/3.3–6.4 ASPH. (24-480mm, 35mm equivalent) 12 elements in 10 groups (6 aspherical surfaces in 3 elements)
Optical zoom	20x
Digital zoom	4x
Optical image stabilsation	Yes
Focusing
Modes	Normal/Macro
Metering modes	Face detection, AF tracking, multi point, single point, spot, touch field
Focusing range
P/A/S/M	50cm (wide angle) / 2m (tele) – ∞
Macro / Intelligent / Auto / Movie	3cm (wide angle) / 1m (tele) – ∞
Sensor	1/2.33” CMOS with 15.3 MP (effective pixels: 14.1 MP)
Resolution
Still images	16:9 format: 4320 x 2432 pixels, 3648 x 2056 pixels, 3072 x 1728 pixels, 2560 x 1440 pixels, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 640 x 360 pixels 3:2 format: 4320 x 2880 pixels, 3648 x 2432 pixels, 3072 x 2048 pixels, 2560 x 1712 pixels, 2048 x 1360 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels 4:3 format: 4320 x 3240 pixels, 3648 x 2736 pixels, 3072 x 2304 pixels, 2560 x 1920 pixels, 2048 x 1536 pixels, 640 x 480 pixels 1:1 format: 3232 x 3232 pixels, 2736 x 2736 pixels, 2304 x 2304 pixels, 1920 x 1920 pixels, 1536 x 1536 pixels, 480 x 480 pixels
Movies	16:9 format AVCHD: 1080p: 1920 x 1080 pixels (max. 29 min per recording) 720p: 1280 x 720 pixels (max. 29 min per recording) MP4: 16:9 format: 1920 x 1080 pixels (max. 29 min per recording), 1280 x 720 pixels (max. 29 min per recording) 4:3 format: 640 x 480 pixels, 320 x 240 pixels (max. 29 min per recording) QuickTime Motion JPEG (High Speed Video)
3D phot function	16:9 format: 1920 x 1080 (MPO format)
Exposure control	Program mode (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), Manual setting (M)
Exposure modes	Increments: 1/3 EV steps, setting range: ±2 EV
Scene modes	Portrait, soft skin, scenery, panorama-assist, sports, night portrait, night scenery, handheld night, HDR, food, baby mode 1, baby mode 2, pet, sunset, high sensitivity, through glass, high-speed video
Creative control modes	Still-picture modes: Expressive, retro, high key, low key, sepia, mono, high dynamic range, toy effect, miniature effect, soft focus Review modes: Expressive, retro, high key, low key, mono, toy effect, soft focus, off
Metering modes	Multi-field, centre-weighted, spot
White balance	Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Manual setting
Sensitivity	Auto /iISO 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200
Shutter speeds	15s–1/2000 s, (Starry Sky mode: 15s / 30s / 60s)
Continuous shooting modes	(Burst frequency: max. number of pictures / max. resolution) 2 B/s: max. number 100 / 14 MP max. resolution 5 B/s: max. number 100 / 14 MP max. resolution 10 B/s: max. number 15 / 14 MP max. resolution 40 B/s: max. number 50 / 5 MP max. resolution 60 B/s: max. number 60 / 3.5 MP max. resolution
Flash
Modes	Auto, Auto with pre-flash (red-eye reduction), Auto with slower shutter speeds and pre-flash, On, Off
Range	Approx. 60cm – 6.4m (W/ISO Auto), 1.0 – 3.3m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Self-timer	2s/10s delay
LCD display	3” TFT LCD, approx. 460,800 pixels Touch Screen functionality
Microphone/Speaker	Stereo/Mono
Recording media
Internal memory	Approx. 12MB
Compatible memory cards	SD: 8MB – 2GB SDHC: 4GB – 32GB SDXC: 48GB – 64GB
Interfaces
HDMI	Mini HDMI cable (type C)
AV OUT/Digital	Digital: USB 2.0 (High Speed)
Dedicated jack (8-pin)	Analogue Video/Audio: NTSC/PAL Composite (switchable in menu), Audio-line-out (mono)
PictBridge compatible	Yes
GPS*	Geographic coordinate system: WGS84 1 million Points of Interest
Operating temperature/ humidity	0–40 °C / 10–80 %
Battery (Lithium-ion) BP-DC7
Voltage/capacity	3.6 V / 895 mAh (260 pictures according to CIPA standards)
Dimensions (W x H x D)	105 x 59 x 28 mm
Weight	Approx. 210g (with memory card and battery)
Accessories and software included	Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 10, Adobe® Premiere® Elements 10 (on DVD) CD with full instructions (PDF) DVD with additional map data Printed short instruction manual Wrist strap AV cable USB battery charger with cable Lithium-ion battery (BP-DC 7)
* GPS tagging may not function in the People’s Republic of China and neighbouring regions. Satellite signal reception may not be possible, depending on the location. In such cases, the positioning data may be recorded inaccurately or not at all.