The LEICA CL (Compact LEICA) was the first compact rangefinder camera with interchangeable lenses and selective through-the-lens exposure metering. It was developed by LEITZ/LEICA in collaboration with Minolta. In the U.S. and Europe, the camera was sold as the LEICA CL. In Japan it was sold as the LEITZ minolta CL. All cameras were manufactured by Minolta in Japan.
The camera featured a bayonet lens mount identical with that of the LEICA M models. The two lenses specially provided for LEICA CL were SUMMICRON-C 40mm F/2 and ELMAR-C 90mm F/4. The lenses for the LEITZ minolta CL were branded as M-ROKKOR.