PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

Given the larger image sensor, the X1 should, theoretically, excel at shooting in low light so for one of my tests, I used it to photograph performance artists at a theater. Lighting was especially tricky: a solo spotlight in an otherwise pitch-black theater with flash photography strictly prohibited. (I don't know if I would've wanted to use the X1's cute but underpowered pop-up flash in these circumstances anyway.)

To make matters more challenging, several of the artists prowled the stage during their performances, floating in out of the direct spotlight and creating nightmarish exposure issues. The little Leica had much trouble judging the proper exposure and an even harder time finding focus. After the first of several acts, I was already wishing I had brought along a quality DSLR as a spare.

The previous "champ" for ultra-slow autofocus, at least in my testing, was the Olympus EP-1 which is one of the worst cameras for candid photography I've ever tried. Didn't think it was possible, but the Leica X1 trumps that model, taking at least two to three seconds to lock in. That's a lifetime in street photography. Worse yet, the Live View on the X1's 2.7-inch screen is extremely slow and jerky making it hard to track your subject if there's any fast movement.

It's worth noting that the X1, like the other cameras in the big/compact category, focuses directly off the camera's image sensor using a slower "Contrast Detection" system. Digital SLRs, on the other hand, have a dedicated autofocus sensor and use faster Phase Detection technology.

After working on my timing with the X1's autofocus through several acts—focus on a spot, hope the performer hits it, jam down the shutter and say your prayers—I was eventually able to capture some usable, sharp images. There were other issues with the camera though.

While I liked the X1's simple but logical layout—just a couple of dials and buttons—there's a serious flaw. The dials barely lock into place. Similar to the M9, the X1's main command dial offers an auto setting and a choice of shutter speeds. That's a nice, classic design with some solid Leica lineage there but I kept accidentally changing the shutter speed in the dark theater with horrifying results. The same goes for the other, smaller dial to select aperture. If I accidentally brushed it against my leg in the dark the dial maddeningly switched between f/2.8, f/8, f/16 etc.