• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

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Differences

Leica X Vario advantages over Nikon Z7

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Nikon Z7 advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Better color depth
    26.3 vs 23.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,668 vs 1,320 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.6 vs 12.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    67 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.0 fps vs 4.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    26 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 12500 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
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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 panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Buy the Leica X Vario

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z7

Review Excerpt

  • Outstanding design and build; Exceptionally sharp 28-70mm equivalent zoom lens; Very good still image quality with accurate and realistic colors; Fairly speedy and accurate autofocusing.

  • Expensive, especially for a fixed-lens compact; Relatively slow f/3.5-6.4 lens; Below average video functionality and quality; Not at all pocketable, about as big and heavy as a mirrorless camera with a moderate zoom lens attached.

  • Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.

  • Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.

The Competition

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight
Nikon Z7
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher max flash sync

Compared to Sigma dp3 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Nikon Z7
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Nikon Z7
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compared to Nikon Z6

Leica X Vario
Nikon Z6
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon Z7
Nikon Z6
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon EOS R

Leica X Vario
Canon EOS R
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $1583
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
Nikon Z7
Canon EOS R
  • $2147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
  • $1583
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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