Leica released two new X-series cameras at Photokina this year - the X and X-E. The 'X,' known as the typ 113 to distinguish it from future X cameras, is the flagship model.  Meanwhile, the X2 is re-branded and re-worked as the X-E. The Leica X features a 35mm equivalent F1.7 lens - answering the long-standing request from X1 and X2 owners for a faster lens. 

The 23mm lens is constructed of ten elements, two of which are aspherical, in eight groups. Focus is from a minimum of 20cm to infinity. Automatic focus uses the contrast-detection method and (of course) manual focus is also available.

The Leica X features a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor behind a Leica Summilux 23 mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens. According to Leica, a faster aperture lens is the most requested feature from existing X-series customers. Although the X-series is still primarily intended for shooting stills, the X can also capture full HD video. Unlike its big brother the T, the X's 3" rear LCD screen is not touch-sensitive. 

Full manual control is a given, and like previous X-series models, the new X offers physical dials for shutter speed and aperture - the latter being set from a dial on the top-right of the camera. According to Leica, the decision to place aperture control here rather than via a dial on the lens was made to ensure consistency of design across the X-series.

The new X features an ISO standard hotshoe with Leica's proprietary connections for an EVF (the same model that can be used with the Leica T). 

And here's that EVF, which can be tilted upwards by 90 degrees for look-down composition. The dial on the side is a diopter adjustment. 

Here's our hand model (X / T series product manager Maike Harberts, no less) manipulating the X's manual focusing ring. To switch to automatic focus you simply rotate this lens to 'AF'. Nice and simple. What looks like a thinner, secondary ring towards the front of the lens unscrews to allow the fitting of accessories. 

This is the 'elegant silver' version of the X with brown leather trim. The front and rear panels of the X are made from magnesium alloy, and the top and bottom plates from aluminum. The BP-DC8 battery is shared with other X-series models. 

The X is available for $2,295 / £1,550.

Priced at $1,795 the new X-E is described as 'technically identical' to the previous model X-2. As before, a 23mm (35mm equivalent) F2.8 lens sits in front of a 16MP APS-C sensor. Lens construction comprises eight elements (including one aspherical) in six groups. Autofocus uses the contrast-detection method and there are 11 focus points. 

The top-plates of Leica's X-series are more or less standard. Shutter speed and aperture are both set from dedicated dials, and drive modes are selected using the integrated on/off switch around the shutter release. The 'Wall-E' (Leica's description) flash is housed under the port visible on the top left of the camera, in this view. 

The X-E's LCD screen is relatively small by today's standards at 2.7in and very low-resolution, at only 230k-dots. This is a shame on such an expensive camera. On the plus side, the X-E can shoot at up to 5fps and ISO sensitivity tops out at 12,500.

Here's that pop-up flash, popped-up.

The knurled ring around the X-E's lens looks like it should rotate, but does not. 

Here's X and T-series product manager Maike Harberts, holding the new X.