• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony NEX-3 advantages over Leica X Vario

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica X Vario advantages over Sony NEX-3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,320 vs 830 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.30 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.4 fps vs 2.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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 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 Sony NEX-5

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • APS-C
Leica X Vario
Sony NEX-5
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Leica X Vario
Sony NEX-C3
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
Leica X Vario
Sony NEX-5N
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Sony NEX-3
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Newer
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Sony NEX-3
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Newer
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • More pixels
  • Wider angle lens
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