• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Leica X Vario advantages over Sony RX10 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.77 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,320 vs 531 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Lighter weight
    636g vs 849g
    Lighter weight

Sony RX10 II advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Less expensive
    $998 vs $2950
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    200 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 920k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.2 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
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    14.2 fps vs 4.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    44 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica X Vario

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.

  • Excellent build quality; Superb viewfinder; Excellent image and video quality for its class; Bright and versatile zoom lens; Very fast autofocus; Great burst performance and depth; Incredible slow-motion capabilities; Really intuitive Wi-Fi image transfer; Good battery life.

  • Expensive compared to its nearest competitors; Less zoom reach than rivals; Soft in corners wide-open; Slow buffer clearing; Small rear control dial has poor tactile feedback; Long delay to render each high frame-rate movie; No tilt/swivel or touch on the LCD panel.

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Leica X Vario
Sony RX10
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX10 II
Sony RX10
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $698
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Sony RX10 II
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sigma dp3 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight
Sony RX10 II
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Leica X Vario
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony RX10 II
Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $899
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Wider angle lens
Sony RX10 II
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $998
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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