• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon S100 advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $2850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Thinner
    18 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    138g vs 636g
    Lighter weight

Leica X Vario advantages over Nikon S100

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 150 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

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.

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm Z90

Nikon S100
Fujifilm Z90
  • $89
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Leica X Vario
Fujifilm Z90
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $93
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Pentax S1

Nikon S100
Pentax S1
  • $89
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Leica X Vario
Pentax S1
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic TS20

Nikon S100
Panasonic TS20
  • $89
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $119
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Leica X Vario
Panasonic TS20
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $119
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Nikon S100
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $89
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Larger lens aperture
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Nikon S100
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $89
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • RAW file ability
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
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