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Leica X-U vs Leica X1

Portability
64
Imaging
59
Features
52
Overall
56
Leica X-U front
 
Leica X1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 Key Specs

Leica X-U
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F1.7-16.0) lens
  • 635g - 140 x 79 x 88mm
  • Released January 2016
  • Additionally referred to as Typ 113
Leica X1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • 35mm (F2.8) lens
  • 306g - 124 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced December 2009
  • Later Model is Leica X2
Photography Glossary

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Leica X-U and Leica X1, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras and both of them are created by Leica. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the X-U (16MP) and X1 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The X-U was announced 6 years later than the X1 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the X-U matches up versus the X1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica X-U over the Leica X1

 X-U X1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016December 2009Fresher by 75 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Leica X-U

 X1 X-U 

Common features in the Leica X-U and Leica X1

 X-U X1 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica X-U enjoys external dimensions of 140mm x 79mm x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") having a weight of 635 grams (1.40 lbs) and the Leica X1 has proportions of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs).

Examine the Leica X-U and Leica X1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the X-U against the X1.

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X-U and X1 is 64 and 89 respectively.

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by looking at specs. The visual here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the X-U and X1.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Leica X-U to resolve more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The fresher X-U provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 sensor size comparison

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X-U vs Leica X1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X-U as a Portrait photography camera
Leica X1 as a Portrait photography camera
75
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica X-U Street photography details
Leica X1 Street photography details
63
screen articulates fully
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (635 grams)
70
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (306g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica X-U
Sports photography with Leica X1
54
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
better than average battery power (450 shots)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
low fps (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
34
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X-U Travel photography highlights
Leica X1 Travel photography highlights
62
better than average battery power (450 shots)
environment proofing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (635 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
59
lighter than competition in class (306g)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X-U Landscape photography factors
Leica X1 Landscape photography factors
63
you can focus manually
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
screen is a good size (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery power (450 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
44
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X-U as a Vlogging camera
Leica X1 as a Vlogging camera
25
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition (635 grams)
9
can't record video
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Leica X-U vs Leica X1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X-U and Leica X1
 Leica X-ULeica X1
General Information
Make Leica Leica
Model Leica X-U Leica X1
Also called as Typ 113 -
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2016-01-20 2009-12-18
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 4272 x 2856
Highest native ISO 12500 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/1.7-16.0 f/2.8
Macro focus distance - 30cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 2.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Automatic, automatic/red eye reduction, on, on/red eye reduction, long-term synchronization/red eye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 635 gr (1.40 lbs) 306 gr (0.67 lbs)
Dimensions 140 x 79 x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 450 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BP-DC8 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $3,495 $1,495