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Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario

Portability
85
Imaging
54
Features
66
Overall
58
Leica C-Lux front
 
Leica X Vario front
Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario Key Specs

Leica C-Lux
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-360mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 340g - 113 x 67 x 46mm
  • Revealed June 2018
Leica X Vario
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-70mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 680g - 133 x 73 x 95mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Succeeded the Leica X2
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Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras and both are created by Leica. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the C-Lux (20MP) and X Vario (16MP) and the C-Lux (1") and X Vario (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The C-Lux was manufactured 5 years after the X Vario which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the C-Lux grades versus the X Vario in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica C-Lux over the Leica X Vario

 C-Lux X Vario 
IntroducedJune 2018June 2013Newer by 61 months
Display resolution1240k920kCrisper display (+320k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Leica C-Lux

 X Vario C-Lux 

Common features in the Leica C-Lux and Leica X Vario

 C-Lux X Vario 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica C-Lux provides exterior measurements of 113mm x 67mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") and a weight of 340 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Leica X Vario has proportions of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") with a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs).

Analyze the Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the C-Lux compared to the X Vario.

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the C-Lux and X Vario is 85 and 62 respectively.

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario top view buttons comparison

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The pic here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the C-Lux and X Vario.

As you can see, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The C-Lux due to its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh trickier and the Leica C-Lux will give more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a bit more aggressively. The younger C-Lux will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario sensor size comparison

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C-Lux Portrait photography factors
Leica X Vario Portrait photography factors
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica C-Lux Street photography highlights
Leica X Vario Street photography highlights
76
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
fixed screen
53
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (680 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica C-Lux Sports photography features
Leica X Vario Sports photography features
70
excellent zoom range (24-360mm 15.0 x zoom)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
better than average battery (370 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
54
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery life (450 per charge)
slow fps (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica C-Lux
Travel photography with Leica X Vario
75
better than average battery (370 shots)
supports bluetooth
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (360mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
56
good battery life (450 CIPA)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (680 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica C-Lux Landscape photography factors
Leica X Vario Landscape photography factors
70
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (370 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
61
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (450 shots)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica C-Lux Vlogging highlights
Leica X Vario Vlogging highlights
34
relatively wide (24mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no external mic jack
25
relatively wide (28mm)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (680g)
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Leica C-Lux vs Leica X Vario Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C-Lux and Leica X Vario
 Leica C-LuxLeica X Vario
General Information
Company Leica Leica
Model type Leica C-Lux Leica X Vario
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2018-06-10 2013-06-11
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 4928 x 3272
Maximum native ISO 12800 12500
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-360mm (15.0x) 28-70mm (2.5x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,240 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder resolution 2,330 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 340g (0.75 lbs) 680g (1.50 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 67 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 1320
Other
Battery life 370 shots 450 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP-DC8
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $1,050 $2,950