Leica Q vs Sony RX100 IV: A Hands-On Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

In the vast landscape of large sensor compact cameras - a category prized for marrying image quality and portability - two standouts from 2015 continue to spark debate: the Leica Q and the Sony RX100 IV. Both announced the very same day, these cameras are neck and neck in innovation, yet worlds apart in philosophy, design, and target audience. I’ve spent weeks shooting side-by-side with these two beasts and tested them across disciplines, from gritty street captures to wildlife bursts and studio portraits. Let’s unpack their strengths, limitations, and where they truly shine.

Size and Handling: Compactness vs Command

Right off the bat, the Leica Q demands your attention with its full-frame sensor crammed into what Leica calls a “compact” body. Physically, it measures 130mm x 80mm x 93mm and tips the scales at 640 grams. Put that beside Sony’s RX100 IV - measuring a neat 102mm x 58mm x 41mm and weighing only 298 grams - and the distinction is crystal clear. The Leica is a chunkier, weightier camera that still manages to feel surprisingly balanced and substantial in hand.

Ergonomically, the Q is pure Leica, with a simple but thoughtfully placed array of controls. While it doesn’t have a top screen or illuminated buttons (something I missed during low-light shoots), its grip and shutter placement make for a confident single-handed operation.

The RX100 IV, meanwhile, embodies pocketability. With its slim profile, the camera disappears into almost any jacket pocket or compact camera bag. The tilting rear screen (a vivid 1,229k dot 3-inch display) significantly aids framing from tricky angles and adds selfie-friendliness - something the fixed 1,040k dot screen on the Q cannot.

Still, the RX100’s smaller body means its controls are more cramped. Button placement sacrifices some tactile precision - less ideal for photographers who crave quick, physical dial access without digging through menus.

Sensor and Image Quality: More Than Just Megapixels

At the heart of any camera lies the sensor - and this is where Leica and Sony march to different drums. The Leica Q boasts a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor, measuring 36x24mm with a substantial sensor area of 864 mm². Its ISO range extends to 50,000 (native max 50,000 ISO), which in practical terms means very good low-light performance for its era. The inclusion of an anti-aliasing filter might raise some eyebrows among pixel-peepers who prefer sharper detail with less filtration, but in real-world use, it keeps moiré under control without harshly sacrificing texture.

On the other hand, the Sony RX100 IV sports a smaller 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2x8.8 mm, 116 mm² sensor area), pushing 20MP resolution. While the native max ISO caps at 12,800 (boosted to 25,600), Sony’s back-illuminated design optimizes sensitivity in this tighter package. Yet, the difference in physical sensor size is a fundamental one - leading to markedly different depth of field control and noise characteristics.

In practical terms, this means the Leica delivers superior dynamic range (12.7 stops vs 12.6 for Sony) and color depth (24.3 vs 22.9 bits), as also confirmed by industry-standard DXO Mark scores (85 overall for Q, 70 for RX100 IV). While the RX100 IV impresses within its class, noise creeps up sooner, especially beyond ISO 800-1600. The Leica handles ISO 3200 and above with remarkable grace.

Autofocus and Speed: Tracking the Moment

Fast, accurate autofocus (AF) can make or break a camera’s utility for wildlife, sports, and street shooters. Here, the RX100 IV actually boasts the advantage on paper with 25 AF points and support for continuous AF tracking. Its hybrid AF system relies on contrast detection only - phase detection being absent in both cameras - and does a competent job snapping to focus in many conditions. Continuous shooting tops out at 16 frames per second.

The Leica Q offers simpler AF with center-priority contrast detection and face detection, paired with manual focus override for precision control. Continuous shooting is capped at 10 fps, without advanced AF tracking. If you’re pursuing fast-moving subjects, the RX100 IV gives you an edge with its higher burst and better tracking capabilities.

Still, in my wildlife and street shadow-chasing tests, Leica’s lens - a fast, razor-sharp 28mm f/1.7 fixed prime - gave me consistently reliable focus lock and beautiful bokeh for subject isolation. While the RX100 IV’s 24-70mm zoom offers flexibility, the lens aperture narrowing to f/2.8 at the long end impacts depth of field isolation and low-light AF sensitivity.

Lens and Optical Quality: Prime vs Zoom

The Leica Q’s single lens is a defining characteristic. It’s a fixed 28mm F1.7 Summilux lens, designed and assembled by Leica optics artisans. This lens is legendary for delivering breathtaking sharpness edge-to-edge and luscious bokeh (thanks to that fast aperture and full-frame sensor). While some might grumble at the fixed focal length, after shooting with it extensively, I learned to appreciate the deliberate discipline it enforces - encouraging creative framing by footwork rather than digitally.

The RX100 IV, conversely, sports a versatile 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar zoom lens. While not quite matching the Leica’s edge sharpness, it offers noticeably more framing flexibility in travel, street, and landscape situations. Its ability to shoot macro from just 5 cm is a boon for flower and product photography compared to Leica’s 17 cm minimum focus distance.

Though the smaller sensor limits shallow depth of field effects, the RX100’s optical quality is excellent for a zoom, with minimal distortion and pleasing contrast.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras lack environmental sealing, so neither is recommended for adverse weather without additional protection. Leica Q’s metal unibody construction and hefty weight feel reassuringly robust - endorsing its premium price tag as a durable workhorse. The RX100 IV’s polycarbonate and magnesium alloy body balances lightweight construction with decent ruggedness but feels notably more plastic in-hand.

If you’re a professional working in challenging conditions, the Q would be the safer bet purely based on its build confidence and brand reputation for reliability.

Viewfinder and Screen: Vital for Composition

Leica outfits the Q with a stunning 3.68-million dot electronic viewfinder featuring 0.76x magnification and 100% coverage - crisp, bright, and immersive during composition. The RX100 IV’s viewfinder, while electronic, trails behind at just 2.35 million dots and 0.59x magnification. It’s serviceable but a step below in comfort and detail clarity.

Both cameras provide 3-inch rear LCD screens, but the RX100’s tilting design offers more shooting flexibility. The Q’s touchscreen aids quick focusing and menu navigation, whereas Sony forgoes touchscreen functionality in favor of button input.

Image Stabilization and Shutter Speeds

Leica Q includes in-body image stabilization (IBIS), an essential feature given its bright prime lens and full-frame sensor. This helps immensely in handheld low-light situations and video shooting.

The RX100 IV provides optical image stabilization, which works impressively well considering the longer 24-70mm zoom range.

In shutter speed terms, Leica’s mechanical shutter maxes out at 1/2000s, while an electronic shutter unlocks an astounding 1/16,000s silent shooting mode. The RX100 IV goes further with a 1/32,000s electronic shutter max, ideal for bright light and creative shallow depth of field without ND filters.

Video Capabilities: 4K vs Full HD

Here is where Sony pulls ahead dramatically. The RX100 IV offers 4K UHD video recording (3840x2160) at 30p/25p/24p resolutions, along with Full HD slow-motion capture at up to 120fps. Sony’s high frame rate recording, combined with clean HDMI output and advanced codecs (XAVC S format), places it in a serious prosumer video category.

Leica Q holds to traditional full HD 1080p at 60fps max, with MPEG-4 format. It lacks microphone/headphone ports, limiting audio control.

For multimedia creators eyeing hybrid photo/video use, the Sony clearly rules here.

Battery Life and Connectivity

The RX100 IV offers about 280 shots per charge - fair for a compact but lower than the Leica Q’s more generous capacity (Leica officially does not publish CIPA rating, but real-world tests suggest roughly 350-400 shots).

Connectivity-wise, both cameras feature built-in Wi-Fi, but Sony adds NFC for quicker pairing. Neither has Bluetooth, GPS, or 5G capabilities. Both offer HDMI out, with USB 2.0 charging/data interface.

Price and Value: Luxury vs Versatility

Retail prices tell an important story. The Leica Q commands a lofty $4,300 brand-new, firmly placing it in premium territory where craftsmanship, optics, and image quality justify the splurge. The RX100 IV, by contrast, launched at a far more approachable $898.

In terms of value, the RX100 IV democratizes excellent image quality and functionality in a pocketable design suitable for enthusiasts and pros needing a reliable carry-everywhere camera. The Leica Q, meanwhile, is an investment for serious photographers who prioritize full-frame image quality and Leica’s unique ecosystem and brand cachet.

Real-World Shooting: How They Stack Up Across Genres

Portrait Photography

Leica Q’s full-frame sensor and fast f/1.7 lens create flawless skin tones and beautiful creamy bokeh, isolating subjects with a painterly effect that the RX100 IV - due to its smaller sensor and variable f/1.8-2.8 aperture - struggles to replicate. Face detection autofocus on both cameras works well, but Sony wins extra points by offering continuous tracking AF, which comes handy for dynamic portraiture sessions.

Landscape Photography

The Leica’s 24MP resolution delivers rich detail and impressive dynamic range, ideal for sprawling vistas. The fixed focal length can limit framing, but encourages deliberate composition. The Sony’s zoom range offers more flexibility but with a tradeoff in image quality at the edges due to the smaller sensor.

Environmental sealing is absent on both, so neither is perfect for inclement weather landscapes without precautions.

Wildlife Photography

Speed is king here, and the RX100 IV’s 16 fps burst with continuous AF tracking edges out the Leica’s 10 fps capped burst with simpler AF. The modest focal length range on the Q (28mm only) severely limits wildlife reach, compared to the zoom lens on RX100. Neither offers telephoto reach expected for distant wildlife, but RX100’s zoom gives a practical advantage.

Sports Photography

Similar story - a faster frame rate and continuous AF tracking of Sony make it better suited to action sequences. Leica Q’s build and controls feel more comfortable for sports gigs, but AF speed and lens limit its effectiveness.

Street Photography

Leica Q’s discreet 28mm prime and robust full-frame sensor produce classic street images with plenty of character and environmental detail. Its heft, however, can intimidate street photographers who want to be as unobtrusive as possible.

The RX100 IV’s pocket size, zoom, and quick start-up make it ideal for candid street capture wherever you go.

Macro Photography

Sony RX100 IV shines with a close macro focus distance of 5 cm and excellent image stabilization, allowing flower and product macro shots with minimal setup. Leica’s 17cm macro limit is less flexible for tight detail work.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light performance strongly favors the Leica Q, with the ability to shoot at ISO 3200+ while retaining clean, usable images. Its IBIS also aids long exposures without a tripod.

The RX100 IV can push boosted ISOs but noise significantly degrades above 800–1600. Electronic shutter also enables silent long exposures but smaller sensor and lens aperture are limiting factors.

Video

Sony RX100 IV is a clear winner with its 4K video, high frame rate slow-motion, and multiple codecs. Leica is strictly a photo-first device with modest Full HD video.

Travel Photography

RX100 IV’s size, zoom, selfie-friendly screen, and versatility make it an ideal travel companion for those prioritizing compactness. Leica Q’s image quality and low-light prowess come with bulk and cost implications, making it suited for travelers who prioritize image quality over pack weight.

Professional Workflows

Leica Q’s support for DNG raw files, tethering potential, and robust files make it suitable for high-end workflows - especially in portrait and commercial applications. Sony’s raw files are versatile but smaller sensor’s data can be less flexible in post.

Summary Scorecard: Performance and Value

How They Rank Across Photography Genres

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

After shooting with both extensively, my advice for potential buyers boils down to:

• Choose the Leica Q if you demand uncompromising full-frame image quality, gorgeous primes with stunning bokeh, and a classic Leica shooting experience. It suits portrait, landscape, night photography, and professional studio work. It’s an elegant tool for photographers who prioritize quality and tactile joy over zoom versatility or pocketability - and budget is not a barrier.

• Choose the Sony RX100 IV if pocket size, zoom versatility, and video capabilities matter to you. It’s the ideal enthusiast’s “always with you” camera offering excellent image quality for its sensor class, great burst speeds for casual action work, and excellent 4K video. It makes a fantastic travel companion and street camera without demanding Leica-level investment.

My Testing Methodology in Brief

I conducted side-by-side shooting sessions over several weeks, comparing RAW and JPEG output in identical lighting conditions, shooting the same subjects to assess AF accuracy, image clarity, noise behavior, and color fidelity. I also tested ergonomics in real shooting scenarios - busy streets, studio setups, low light indoors, and mid-distance wildlife. For video, I scrutinized sharpness, rolling shutter, color rendition, and audio capabilities.

Data from DXO Mark and manufacturer specs were cross-referenced, but personal handling impressions proved key in forming well-rounded conclusions.

Closing

Both the Leica Q and Sony RX100 IV represent milestones in large sensor compacts but cater to distinct user needs. Whether you crave the analog soul of Leica’s craftsmanship and full-frame excellence or the compact versatility and future-facing video chops of Sony, you’re in safe hands with either.

Happy shooting - and may your next camera choice bring you many joyful frames!

Leica Q screen back Sony RX100 IV front Sony RX100 IV screen back