Leica V-Lux 30 User manual

LEICA V-LUX 30
A world waiting to be discovered.

Dear friends of Leica,
In 1925, at the Leipzig Spring Exhibition, we presented the world’s first Leica camera. It was the beginning of
a success story that has continued to this day. Many different cameras followed that first camera, and millions
of people have discovered a love of photography, all thanks to their remarkable qualities. Photography has
changed enormously. But one thing never changes: the magic of capturing life’s memorable moments.
Today, the Leica V-Lux 30 gives photography enthusiasts the perfect tool for capturing that magic – authentically,
spontaneously and in Leica’s unmatched, brilliant quality. Thanks to its remarkable versatility, it’s ready to grasp
any unexpected opportunity. For example, when street trials rider Danny MacAskill effortlessly performs jaw-
dropping feats of dexterity and skill on his bicycle. This exceptionally talented young Scotsman sees the world
with different eyes, transforming every city into his own personal playground.
Like the biker Danny MacAskill, people who enjoy discovering totally new angles will find the Leica V-Lux 30 the
ideal camera for capturing fascinating moments from their own very special points of view. You’re invited to make
the city your own personal playground – with the Leica V-Lux 30.
Wishing you happy exploring!
The Leica Camera team.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
LEICA CAMERA AG
Passionate photography.
CAPE TOWN –
THE GAME BEGINS
LEICA V-LUX 30
Open to new perspectives.
Inspired by life.
Clever extras.
TECHNICAL DATA
ACCESSORIES
03
04
06
12
14
16
21
22
24
CONTENTS

LEICA CAMERA AG I 05 04 I LEICA CAMERA AG
LEICA CAMERA AG
Passionate photography.
Leica Camera shares something with countless people around the world: a love of, and a passion for, photography.
It’s the fascination of capturing a moment in time; shaping it, transforming it into something timeless, and experi -
encing it again and again as a unique photograph. This is what has driven Leica for almost 100 years. We create
cameras using the highest quality materials and assemble them meticulously by hand, so that every Leica delivers
unwavering reliability and quality over a lifetime. Whether it’s used professionally, artistically or simply out of the
joy of documenting life, one thing connects all Leica cameras: they all help the photographer to concentrate on
the essentials – a great photograph. Each device is a small masterpiece. Leica cameras are compact, ageless,
elegant, easy to use and yet uncompromising in their optical, mechanical and technical quality. They are the perfect
tools for anyone who understands the fascination of photography and who appreciate a unique photograph.
The original Leica camera, 1913/1914.
Below lef t: The world’s most light- sensitive aspherical lens - the LEICA
NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH. Below: Leica optical-component qualit y control.
Left: The Leitz Optics
building , Wet zlar, Ger many.
LEICA M9, the most compact digital system
camera with a full-frame sensor.
An original draf t by Oskar Bar nack.
Oskar Barnack (1879–1936),
inventor of the fi rst Leica camera.
Advertisement for the Leipzig
Spring Exhibition, 1925.
LEICA S2, the medium-format professional
digital camera that sets new standards.
Alex Webb, Nicaragua, Puerto Cabezas, 1992.

CAPE TOWN –
THE GAME BEGINS
Sunrise over Cape Town. Street trials rider Danny MacAskill can’t wait to explore the city at the foot of Table Mountain.

08 I LEICA V-LUX 30
The sun shines mercilessly in the sky. The wind blows hot, offering no relief at all. The least physical effort is
exhausting. For Danny MacAskill, conditions like these are extremely unusual. But the Scotsman can hardly wait
to get on his bike and explore one of the most beautiful cities in the world: Cape Town. Not because of its famous
sights, such as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Long Street or Robben Island. Not for Cape Town’s incomparable
vistas of the majestic Table Mountain. Danny’s eyes sparkle at the sight of the countless stairways and handrails,
the public squares and concrete structures. Even a simple park bench makes him smile. He sees the city with
different eyes – those of a street trials pro rider. For him, the city is one enormous playground. Limits and rules
don’t exist. That’s why the sport is called ‘trial’: try all. True to this motto, street trials riders aim to conquer the
most difficult obstacles, riding on their specialised sports cycles – while making it appear completely effortless.
We followed Danny on his journey of discovery through Cape Town, and experienced at first hand the remarkable
talent that has won him millions of YouTube fans. His success is also the result of his philosophy: from the very
start, the most important thing for Danny was the pure joy of riding. After more than 13 years, he still gets on his
bike with unflagging enthusiasm. With his extraordinary abilities, he finds inspiration from his environment, trans-
forming a city into his playground – day after day.
CAPE TOWN
The game begins.
Danny MacAskill, aged 26, street trials rider.
Adrenaline rush at the waterfront. This is Danny’s first jump over shipping containers. Success depends on a precise
landing: the rear wheel must hit the edge of the container. That’s the only way to halt the bike’s momentum.

LEICA V-LUX 30 I 11
When Danny MacAskill leaps over stairways or rides along house walls, he seems to overcome the laws of physics.
It’s as if gravity doesn’t apply to him. With apparent ease, he moves from obstacle to obstacle: jumping, sliding,
bouncing and spinning with the agility of a dancer. And all while riding a 13 kg cycle. This kind of precise artistic
performance demands complete mastery of the body. And just as importantly, it demands a sharp eye for detail –
the ability to discover thrilling possibilities even in unlikely places. For Danny, a simple kerbstone can be the key
to a spectacular series of jumps, spins and somersaults.
The fascinating city of Cape Town captures the imagination of the easy-going Scotsman – he loves the urban
environment, but also its proximity to mountains, beaches and forests. It offers countless places for him and his
bike to explore. While the street trials professional is searching for his next challenge, he runs through a series of
tricks, combining different biking styles in a way that makes his talent so unmistakable and unique. Suddenly,
Danny takes off, riding up to the chest-high motorway crash barrier - then springing on top of it. With the Leica
V-Lux 30, photography becomes just as playful and spontaneous. It lets you react directly and immediately, so you
can be inspired by the world around you, and record that unique moment – authentically and with brilliant image
quality. Combining versatility and high performance, the Leica V-Lux 30 is the ideal camera for discovering new
perspectives and capturing them, every time.
This unfinished motorway overpass serves as pure inspiration for Danny. But facing a drop of 65 feet, even an
extreme sports rider needs to carefully check the distances, surface traction and condition of the concrete.

L E I C A
V-LUX 30
The deep drop doesn’t stop Danny from attempting the spectacular leap over the cut-off motorway,
landing on the eight-inch-wide crash barrier on the other side – on the rear wheel, of course.

14 I LEICA V-LUX 30 LEICA V-LUX 30 I 15
1
384
7
9
2
56
Full-size view
L E I C A V-LUX 30
Open to new perspectives.
1 ENORMOUS FOCAL LENGTH
2 NEW IMAGE SENSOR
3 ENHANCED CAPABILITIES
4 EASY HANDLING
5 TIMELESS DESIGN
6 HIGH-RESOLUTION TOUCH SCREEN
7 VIDEOS IN FULL-HD QUALITY
8 INTEGRATED GPS FUNCTION
9 USER-FRIENDLY SOFTWARE
In 1914, Oskar Barnack developed the world’s fi rst popular 35 mm camera, transforming photography into the
form we know it today: compact and mobile. Thanks to his genius, photography is now part of everyday life. The
Leica V-Lux 30 follows this proud tradition: for anyone who’s open to new discoveries, it offers the freedom to
explore surprising new perspectives in the urban and natural environment, and to capture them in brilliant
quality. Compact, versatile and high-performance, the new Leica V-Lux 30 is ideal for photography on the move.
Thanks to its super-wide-angle zoom lens with an enormous focal length of 24 to 384 mm (35 mm equivalent),
the Leica V-Lux 30 is remarkably flexible. Its new image sensor creates photographs and full-HD videos in
excellent quality. Leica V-Lux 30: a world waiting to be discovered.
Full-size view
Discover more at www.v-lux30.leica-camera.com

16 I LEICA V-LUX 30 LEICA V-LUX 30 I 17
1
Full-size view 2
The Leica V-Lux 30 is the perfect tool for anyone who sees the world through open eyes, ready to be
inspired. With its outstanding performance and versatility, it lets you capture your ideas – spontaneously,
authentically and in unmatched quality. Even the subtlest nuance doesn’t escape the Leica V-Lux 30,
thanks to its continuous-shooting speed of 10 frames per second. Its large, high-resolution touch screen
enables you to view, enlarge and flip through your images with ease. The elegant Leica V-Lux 30 sits even
more comfortably in your hand than its predecessor, yet it’s packed with more innovative features, such
as GPS1 and a 3D photo function – guaranteeing outstanding convenience in a compact format.
1 It is possible that 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.
Almost 100 years of experience has turned every Leica lens into a true masterpiece of optical engineering.
This also holds true for the Leica DC Vario-Elmar 1:3.3–5.9/4.3–68.8 mm ASPH. of the Leica V-Lux 30
(equivalent to 24–384 mm in 35 mm format). With this newly designed zoom lens, the precision of
aspherical lenses has enabled a significant increase in the zoom range compared to the previous model.
The new range of focal lengths, from 24 to 384 mm, guarantees still-picture and video capturing with
superior imaging performance. The 16× optical-zoom range makes the Leica V-Lux 30 the ideal camera for
a range of photographic opportunities, from wide-angle and macro shots to telephoto shots of distant
subjects. A newly designed image stabilisation system prevents the effects of camera shake – particular-
ly when capturing telephoto shots and video, and in unfavourable light. The new Leica DC Vario-Elmar is
an extremely high-performance lens that delivers pin-sharp images at all focal lengths.
The V-Lux 30 features a newly designed, 15.1 megapixel sensor (14.1 MP effective). Its new 1/2.33"
CMOS sensor guarantees image quality with unrivalled excellence in the compact camera category. The
entire 16× zoom range (35 mm equivalent: 24–384 mm) is available for all selectable image aspect ratios,
4:3, 3:2, 16:9 or 1:1. Set to an aspect ratio of 4:3, it delivers a maximum resolution of 14.1 megapixels for
still pictures and 1920 × 1080 pixels for full-HD video. The new sensor enables continuous shooting of
fast sequences at full resolution. In addition, the autofocus speed has been increased by 50% compared
to the previous model. The Leica V-Lux 30 also delivers outstanding image quality at high ISO settings.
1 ENORMOUS
FOCAL LENGTH
2 NEW IMAGE
SENSOR
Focal length 384 mm.
Focal length 24 mm.
LEICA V-LUX 30
Inspired by life.

LEICA V-LUX 30 I 19 18 I LEICA V-LUX 30
The continuous-shooting function captures ten images per second – in full resolution.
The software package included also allows you to edit the series of images with ease.
High above the rooftops of Cape Town, Danny is inspired by a simple handrail to make a jaw-dropping jump.
The elegant looks of the Leica V-Lux 30 are further enhanced by its classic black finish. The refined and
timeless look of the camera is complemented by the chrome controls. Ergonomically designed, and even
more compact than its predecessor, the camera fits perfectly into any photographer’s hand. The matt
finish of its metal body is pleasing to the touch and makes photography with the Leica V-Lux 30 perfect
in ergonomic terms, too. This compact, light and elegant camera is the perfect companion for every
occasion.
The new LCD touch screen display of the Leica V-Lux 30 offers the ultimate in convenient handling. In
addition to the familiar button menu, many features can now be controlled simply by touching the screen
with a fingertip. The touch screen panel also lets users leaf through captured images in playback mode and
enlarge them with just a light tap of a finger. At the same time, the 460,000-pixel resolution and automatic
brightness control of the large LCD touch screen (3"/7.5 cm diagonal) guarantee generously sized and highly
detailed image playback.
5 TIMELESS
DESIGN
6
HIGH-RESOLUTION
TOUCH SCREEN
A new continuous-shooting mode and 3D photo capture make the Leica V-Lux 30 even more versatile
than its predecessor. Continuous-shooting mode captures an impressive ten images per second at the
full resolution of 14.1 MP. In high-speed mode, it captures a fantastic 60 images per second at reduced
resolution in all available image formats. This enables the Leica V-Lux 30 to capture even the fastest
moving subjects as perfect pictures. Its brand-new 3D mode also guarantees impressive life-like images.
In this mode, the camera combines two suitable shots from a sequence in a “stereo image pair” and
saves them as a 3D image in MPO format. 3D photos are an entirely new and unique visual experience
when viewed on a 3D-compatible monitor.
Just like all other Leica cameras, the V-Lux 30 also offers extremely easy handling. Ergonomically pos-
itioned and clearly laid out controls ensure intuitive camera handling. New: for even easier and faster
operation of the movie function, the video start button is now located next to the shutter release button
on the top of the camera. The Leica V-Lux 30 makes handling even easier for less experienced photograph-
ers, with a number of automatic features such as face recognition, AF tracking, and so on. For the more
experienced photographer, manual setting options for shutter speeds and apertures provide even greater
creative freedom. The selector dial on the top of the camera allows quick and easy selection of different
settings. Touch screen control options further enhance the user-friendly handling of the Leica V-Lux 30.
4 EASY HANDLING
3 ENHANCED
CAPABILITIES