• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 36.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Leica X2 advantages over Sony RX1R

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    51 mm vs 69 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 482g
    Lighter weight

Sony RX1R advantages over Leica X2

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.79 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 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

  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

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.

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X2
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Sony RX1R
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Wider angle lens
  • Doesn't require an AA filter

Compared to Sony RX1

Leica X2
Sony RX1
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX1R
Sony RX1
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Leica X2
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • More dots on screen
Sony RX1R
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • $1534
  • APS-C
Sony RX1R
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony RX1R II

Leica X2
Sony RX1R II
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony RX1R
Sony RX1R II
  • $2398
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3298
  • 35mm
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Compare Other Cameras?