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Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
63
Imaging
72
Features
64
Overall
68
Leica Q front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV Key Specs

Leica Q
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Yes Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 640g - 130 x 80 x 93mm
  • Revealed June 2015
  • Also referred to as Typ 116
  • Refreshed by Leica Q2
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Earlier Model is Sony RX100 III
  • Later Model is Sony RX100 V
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Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Leica Q versus Sony RX100 IV, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the Q (24MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is relatively well matched but the Q (Full frame) and RX100 IV (1") provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Q was brought out at a similar time to the RX100 IV which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the Q scores versus the RX100 IV in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q over the Sony RX100 IV

 Q RX100 IV 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Leica Q

 RX100 IV Q 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k1040kClearer screen (+189k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica Q and Sony RX100 IV

 Q RX100 IV 
IntroducedJune 2015June 2015Similar age
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica Q provides outside dimensions of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 640 grams (1.41 lbs) and the Sony RX100 IV has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") along with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Check out the Leica Q versus Sony RX100 IV in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the Q versus the RX100 IV.

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Q and RX100 IV is 63 and 89 respectively.

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the gap between sensor measurements merely by looking at specs. The graphic below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Q and RX100 IV.

As you can plainly see, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Q because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Leica Q will give greater detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Q Portrait photography information
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography information
83
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
65
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica Q Street photography info
Sony RX100 IV Street photography info
67
has image stabilization (Yes)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
good high ISO (50,000)
screen is fixed
heavier than competitors in class (640 grams)
85
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Sports photography camera
69
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Yes)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
can't change focal length (28mm)
has no phase detect autofocus
68
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high max fps (16.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica Q Travel photography features
Sony RX100 IV Travel photography features
63
has focus via touch
MP count good (24MP)
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
heavier than competitors in class (640g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
86
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
decent MP (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Q Landscape photography details
Sony RX100 IV Landscape photography details
75
you can focus manually
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Yes)
MP count good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (50,000)
saves RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
74
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Q Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging factors
32
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Yes)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
missing mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (640 grams)
81
reasonably wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q and Sony RX100 IV
 Leica QSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model Leica Q Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Also Known as Typ 116 -
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2015-06-10 2015-06-10
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 50000 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture f/1.7 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range 17cm 5cm
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 16.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash settings no built-in flash -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 640 grams (1.41 lb) 298 grams (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 85 70
DXO Color Depth score 24.3 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 12.6
DXO Low light score 2221 562
Other
Battery life - 280 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $4,300 $898