• Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 37.5 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Leica S2 advantages over Sony RX1R

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    37.5 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility

Sony RX1R advantages over Leica S2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    482g vs 1410g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 1250 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Leica S2
Leica S2

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Buy the Sony RX1R
Sony RX1R
All RX1R Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Significantly sharper, more detailed JPEG images than those from the RX1; JPEG processing appears to minimize moire and aliasing artifacts; Same price as the RX1; Full-frame, 24-megapixel compact camera with fast Carl Zeiss Sonnar 35mm f/2 T* lens; Blazing fast autofocus; Impressive image quality that rivals (and sometimes surpasses) full-frame DSLRs.

  • More prone to moire, aliasing and false color than the RX1; Only subtle improvement in sharpness in RAW files; Fixed-length lens limits shooting flexibility; Viewfinders (optical or electronic) only available as optional accessories; Extremely expensive for a compact camera.

  • Read our Sony RX1R Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax 645D

Leica S2
Pentax 645D
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Leica S2 vs Pentax 645D

Sony RX1R
Pentax 645D
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3599
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX1R vs Pentax 645D

Compared to Sony RX1

Leica S2
Sony RX1
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica S2 vs Sony RX1

Sony RX1R
Sony RX1
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony RX1R vs Sony RX1

Compared to Leica S (Typ 006)

Leica S2
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • More dots on screen

Compare Leica S2 vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Sony RX1R
Leica S (Typ 006)
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $10535
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX1R vs Leica S (Typ 006)

Compared to Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Leica S2
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Leica S2 vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Sony RX1R
Leica S-E (Typ 006)
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $16900
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX1R vs Leica S-E (Typ 006)

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Leica S2
Sony RX1R II
  • $22995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica S2 vs Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R
Sony RX1R II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX1R vs Sony RX1R II

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