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Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL

Portability
75
Imaging
44
Features
20
Overall
34
Epson R-D1 front
 
Leica CL front
Portability
82
Imaging
69
Features
58
Overall
64

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL Key Specs

Epson R-D1
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 620g - 142 x 89 x 40mm
  • Announced March 2004
  • Refreshed by Epson R-D1x
Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Launched November 2017
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Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Epson R-D1 and Leica CL, both Advanced Mirrorless cameras by competitors Epson and Leica. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the R-D1 (6MP) and CL (24MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The R-D1 was released 14 years before the CL and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the R-D1 matches up against the CL in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Epson R-D1 over the Leica CL

 R-D1 CL 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Epson R-D1

 CL R-D1 
LaunchedNovember 2017March 2004Fresher by 166 months
Display sizing3"2"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution1040k235kSharper display (+805k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Epson R-D1 and Leica CL

 R-D1 CL 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Epson R-D1 features physical dimensions of 142mm x 89mm x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") along with a weight of 620 grams (1.37 lbs) whilst the Leica CL has sizing of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") along with a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs).

Contrast the Epson R-D1 and Leica CL in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the R-D1 vs the CL.

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the R-D1 and CL is 75 and 82 respectively.

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL top view buttons comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The visual here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the R-D1 and CL.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Leica CL to show extra detail as a result of its extra 18MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older R-D1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL sensor size comparison

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL Screen and ViewFinder

Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Epson R-D1 Portrait photography highlights
Leica CL Portrait photography highlights
50
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6MP)
73
decent MP (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
no manual focus
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Street Comparison

Epson R-D1 Street photography information
Leica CL Street photography information
55
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (620g)
73
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
good high ISO (50,000)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Epson R-D1 Sports photography details
Leica CL Sports photography details
30
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have liveview
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
lack of phase detect autofocus
63
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/25,000 seconds)
decent MP (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (220 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Travel photography camera
Leica CL as a Travel photography camera
38
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (620g)
megapixel count low (6MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
66
features touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Epson R-D1 as a Landscape photography camera
Leica CL as a Landscape photography camera
47
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
69
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent MP (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (50,000)
supports RAW formats
no manual focus
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (220 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Epson R-D1 Vlogging info
Leica CL Vlogging info
9
no video
33
built-in touchscreen
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external mic jack
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Epson R-D1 vs Leica CL Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Epson R-D1 and Leica CL
 Epson R-D1Leica CL
General Information
Brand Name Epson Leica
Model type Epson R-D1 Leica CL
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2004-03-11 2017-11-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Maestro II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.7mm² 370.5mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3008 x 2000 6014 x 4014
Max native ISO 1600 50000
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 49
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Leica L
Amount of lenses 59 30
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2" 3"
Screen resolution 235k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 1s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed - 1/25000s
Continuous shutter speed - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings - no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 620 grams (1.37 lb) 403 grams (0.89 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 89 x 40mm (5.6" x 3.5" x 1.6") 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 220 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP-DC12
Self timer No Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD card SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $1,709 $3,799