The Leica CL digital is a camera I've been waiting a while for; almost 10 years now. But if you rewinded back to the technology world 10 years ago, you saw that mirrorless cameras weren't even a thing yet, and the Leica M9 hadn't even launched.

Rumors have swirled about a digital version of the Leica CL for years, but most have pointed to a compact, full-frame M-mount camera with an EVF rather than an optical one. That's not what we got.

Compact body with integrated EVF; Touch LCD; 24MP APS-C image sensor; 4K video; Mechanical and electronic shutter options; 9.8fps burst shooting; Wi-Fi

Some interface quirks; Locked video frame rates; No in-body flash; Expensive

The Leica CL is a new compact system camera, which fits in the same line-up as the Leica TL2, which was announced in the summer of 2017. It uses the same lens mount as the TL2, which also accepts lenses from the SL range. The components of the CL are very similar to those found in the TL2.

Buying a Leica has always, and probably always will be, more about just taking nice pictures. That red dot is a status symbol and a connection to a strong heritage of photographers going back 100 years. For that reason, photographers don’t seem to mind paying what might generously be described as ‘over the odds’ for cameras from the iconic brand. Whether or not the CL deserves it’s very high asking price is questionable, but it’s certainly a more affordable route into Leica ownership than plumping for the M10. One of the best things about the CL is its ease of use. It’s an intuitive handling system, with simple buttons and dials readily on hand to choose your key settings, without having to faff about with menus (quick or otherwise). While image quality is excellent, there are plenty of other cameras out there which also provide great shots - but how you produce them is much more convoluted. For this reason, the CL is a camera you want to get out there with and use - for some, that’ll make it worth the extra investment alone. That’s not to say that the CL is without its drawbacks. A tilting screen would have been useful for composing street type shots even more discreetly, while being able to switch more easily between using the screen to set AF points and using the buttons is a problem that could potentially be fixed with a firmware issue. You’ll still be a reasonably early adopter if you go for a camera like this. As it stands, there are just seven L mount lenses, but they give you a coverage of 11-135mm and you can also use plenty of other Leica lenses (including M, R and SL) with various mount adapters. Still, the fact that Leica is continuing to invest in the system suggests it’s definitely one that’s sticking around. Where to buy Leica CL

Small size and weight; Simple handling; Excellent image quality;

Painful price tag; Screen is fixed; Touchscreen handling niggles;

Oh, Leica. Once again you've given me the ambivalent feels.

The Leica CL might be forgiven some of its oddities and omissions at a lower price. But if you've been waiting for a Leica mirrorless that looks like a traditional Leica and consider its quirks part of the experience, then go forth and spend.

The Leica CL produces sharp photos with neutral colors; at least in winter light; has a great viewfinder; good performance and streamlined shooting controls.

Price, of course; But also design decisions, including no grip, no connectors and no way to lock navigation buttons, plus missing capabilities like manual exposure controls for video.

The first Leica CL was released in the 1970s. A 35mm rangefinder, both smaller and less expensive than its contemporary, the M5. The modern CL ($2,795, body only) is a digital camera with an APS-C image sensor, autofocus, and a touch LCD. But like its namesake, it's very compact, and priced signficantly less than an M10 ($6,595). It's still a Leica, a luxury item when it comes to cameras, so don't expect it to do more than more affordable options, like the Fujifilm X-T2, our Editors' Choice in the high-end APS-C mirrorless camera space, altough Fuji's X-Pro2 is a more appealing alternative for Leica aficionados. Design The CL isn't as dramatically futuristic-looking as its sibling, the TL2. It instead goes for a classic silhouette similar to the antique Leica III series, featuring an all-black finish, a leatherette wrap, and standard physical controls. For comparison, the TL2 is carved from a solid block of aluminum and boasts a huge touch LCD with just a pair of dials to adjust ...

The Leica CL is a small, sleek mirrorless camera that delivers excellent images, but its interface needs some refinement.

Compact body with integrated EVF; Touch LCD; 24MP APS-C image sensor; 4K video; Mechanical and electronic shutter options; 9.8fps burst shooting; Wi-Fi

Some interface quirks; Locked video frame rates; No in-body flash; Expensive

Small size and weight; Simple handling; Excellent image quality;

Painful price tag; Screen is fixed; Touchscreen handling niggles;

Back in 1973, Leica introduced the CL, a stripped-back, compact-bodied, relatively low-priced camera designed to attract a new generation of photographers to its rangefinder M system (despite actually being manufactured by Minolta).

Superb; rock-solid build quality; Large; clear electronic viewfinder; Cleverly conceived control setup; Excellent RAW image quality

No image stabilisation; No live view during continuous shooting; Touch-focus conflicts with viewfinder use; Limited exposure control during video

Superb, rock-solid build quality; Large, clear electronic viewfinder; Cleverly conceived control setup; Excellent RAW image quality;

No image stabilisation; No live view during continuous shooting; Touch-focus conflicts with viewfinder use; Limited exposure control during video;

We much preferred the Leica CL to the TL2 we reviewed in November, partly because of its more conventional styling and controls but mostly because it has an excellent built-in EVF. It would have felt better in the hands if Leica had added a grip moulding to the front and a thumb rest to the rear and...