Leica V-Lux 3 packs 24x superzoom and 1080p60 HD

Leica has outed its latest superzoom camera, the Leica V-Lux 3, packing a 12.1-megapixel sensor, 24x optical zoom and a 1080p HD video recording mode. The new camera supports up to 12fps full-resolution photography – or up to 60fps at 3.5-megapixels – in addition to ISO 100-3200 and a macro mode that can focus on subjects as close as 1cm away.

The camera company is particularly proud of its zoom, a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 1:2.8-5.2/4.5-108 mm ASPH. lens. Capable of going from a 25 mm wide angle to a 600 mm super-telephoto, it still manages to fit into a 124 x 80 x 95 mm, 540g form-factor.

On the back is an adjustable 3-inch 461,000 pixel LCD display with approximately 100-percent field of view, and there's a stereo microphone and 70MB of internal memory, augmented by an SD/SDHC/SDXC card. Connectivity including USB 2.0, mini HDMI, analog A/V output and a microphone/remote jack.

Pricing on the new camera is yet to be confirmed, but it will go on sale in January 2012.