ShutterCount does not read a shutter count from Leica X Vario DNG files. The parser has no Leica reader at all — it reads Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Pentax and Ricoh counter fields — so dropping a Leica X Vario file returns the model, capture settings, lens and serial numbers, and no actuation total. No verified Leica X Vario file has been examined here; the four Leica bodies measured so far (Q3, Q Typ 116, M Typ 240, D-Lux 8) carried no counter in their DNGs. For the count itself, use the camera or Leica. Everything below runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Open ShutterCount →The Leica X Vario (Typ 107) was released in June 2013 as the first zoom-lens model in Leica's X compact series. It features a 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS sensor (23.6 × 15.7 mm, no AA filter) and a Leica VARIO-ELMAR 18–46mm f/3.5–6.4 ASPH fixed zoom lens (28–70mm equivalent). The camera generated attention at launch for its large APS-C sensor in a compact body, though the relatively slow maximum aperture (f/3.5–6.4) prompted discussion. At approximately €2,450 / $2,850 at launch, it was positioned as the versatile travel alternative within the X series. Leica does not publish an official shutter rating; estimated shutter life is approximately 150,000 actuations.
| Model | Release | Sensor | Lens | Est. Shutter Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica X Vario (Typ 107) | 2013 | 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS | 18–46mm f/3.5–6.4 (28–70 equiv) | ~150,000 |
| Leica X (Typ 113) | 2014 | 16.5 MP APS-C CMOS | 23mm f/1.7 (35mm equiv) | ~150,000 |
| Leica X2 | 2012 | 16.2 MP APS-C CMOS | 24mm f/2.8 (36mm equiv) | ~150,000 |
| Leica X1 | 2009 | 12.2 MP APS-C CMOS | 24mm f/2.8 (36mm equiv) | ~100,000 |
No Leica maker-note table in ExifTool carries an actuation tag, so there is no documented field to look for. Leica Customer Care or an authorised Leica service centre reads the body’s internal counter from the serial number. The Leica Q (Typ 116) page goes through the routes in detail.
If you have a Leica X Vario file from a body whose count you know from Leica, we would be glad to check it against the file: samples@shuttercount.app.
The X Vario is a compact travel and street camera. Many units were used as walk-around cameras for deliberate, considered photography rather than high-volume shooting.
| Shutter Count | % of Est. Life | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5,000 | < 3 % | Very low use — lightly used, near new |
| 5,000 – 30,000 | 3 – 20 % | Low use — plenty of life remaining |
| 30,000 – 80,000 | 20 – 53 % | Moderate use — normal for an active camera |
| 80,000 – 120,000 | 53 – 80 % | High use — inspect carefully; negotiate price |
| 120,000 + | 80 %+ | Near estimated limit — factor in Leica service costs |
Leica compact service is expensive (typically €300–800+). Also inspect the zoom ring for smooth operation, the rear LCD for scratches, and the hot shoe contacts. The lens is non-interchangeable, so any optical damage is permanent.
The VARIO-ELMAR 18–46mm f/3.5–6.4 zoom covers a 2.6× zoom range on the APS-C sensor. Leica prioritised maintaining the compact body dimensions and optical quality over maximum aperture. The f/3.5 wide end is competitive with other travel zooms, but the f/6.4 telephoto end limits low-light performance at 46mm. In good light the lens delivers excellent Leica optical quality across the zoom range.
The Leica X Vario outputs native DNG files — open-standard RAW files that embed the Leica MakerNote in their EXIF structure. The count is cumulative and cannot be reset without specialised Leica service tools.
The Leica X (Typ 113, 2014) replaced the X Vario with a fixed 23mm f/1.7 prime lens — a significant aperture improvement at the cost of zoom versatility. The Typ 113 has a slightly higher-resolution sensor (16.5 vs 16.2 MP) and a refined body design. Buyers who prioritise zoom versatility favour the X Vario; those who shoot in low light or need more subject separation favour the Typ 113.
Not from a DNG file with shuttercount.app: the parser has no Leica reader, so a Leica X Vario file gives you the model, capture settings, lens and serial numbers, and no actuation total. No verified Leica X Vario file has been examined here; the four Leica bodies measured so far (Q3, Q Typ 116, M Typ 240, D-Lux 8) carried no counter in their DNGs. No Leica maker-note table in ExifTool carries an actuation tag, so there is no documented field to look for. Leica Customer Care or an authorised Leica service centre reads the body’s internal counter from the serial number.
Leica uses internal type numbers (Typ) to designate specific hardware revisions. The "Typ 107" identifies the 2013 X Vario model unambiguously in Leica's product catalogue. Later Leica cameras (M11, Q3) dropped the Typ designation.
No. The X Vario has no in-body image stabilisation. Leica introduced optical image stabilisation in the fixed zoom (the VARIO-ELMAR lens has no IS), so slower shutter speeds at the telephoto end require steady hands or support. This is an important consideration for low-light shooting at 46mm (70mm equiv).
The X Vario offers genuine Leica APS-C image quality and a versatile zoom range in a compact body. On the used market it is available at significantly reduced prices compared to launch. The non-interchangeable lens and limited aperture are trade-offs to weigh against its compact size and optical quality.