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Leica X-U vs Sony RX1

Portability
64
Imaging
59
Features
52
Overall
56
Leica X-U front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
69
Features
57
Overall
64

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 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
  • Alternate Name is Typ 113
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Announced February 2013
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Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Leica X-U and Sony RX1, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the X-U (16MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the X-U (APS-C) and RX1 (Full frame) have different sensor sizing.

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The X-U was launched 2 years after the RX1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the X-U scores versus the RX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica X-U over the Sony RX1

 X-U RX1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016February 2013More modern by 36 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Leica X-U

 RX1 X-U 
Display resolution1229k920kSharper display (+309k dot)

Common features in the Leica X-U and Sony RX1

 X-U RX1 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Leica X-U enjoys outside measurements of 140mm x 79mm x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") with a weight of 635 grams (1.40 lbs) and the Sony RX1 has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

See the Leica X-U and Sony RX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the X-U vs the RX1.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X-U and RX1 is 64 and 79 respectively.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The image below will help give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the X-U and RX1.

All in all, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X-U because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX1 will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The younger X-U provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X-U Portrait photography information
Sony RX1 Portrait photography information
75
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
81
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X-U Street photography features
Sony RX1 Street photography features
63
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (635g)
66
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
great ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (482 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica X-U
Sports photography with Sony RX1
54
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
good battery power (450 CIPA)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
low fps (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
53
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
low fps (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (270 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica X-U Travel photography advice
Sony RX1 Travel photography advice
62
good battery power (450 CIPA)
environment proofing
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (635g)
display isn't selfie friendly
62
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (270 CIPA)
heavier than others in class (482 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X-U as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX1 as a Landscape photography camera
63
manual focus
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
nice screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
good battery power (450 shots)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
64
has manual focus
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3")
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (270 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X-U as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1 as a Vlogging camera
25
good maximum aperture (f1.7)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no mic jack
heavier than others in class (635g)
34
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (482g)
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Leica X-U vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X-U and Sony RX1
 Leica X-USony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica X-U Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Also referred to as Typ 113 -
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2016-01-20 2013-02-19
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12500 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/1.7-16.0 f/2.0-22.0
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash options Automatic, automatic/red eye reduction, on, on/red eye reduction, long-term synchronization/red eye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/4000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 635 gr (1.40 lb) 482 gr (1.06 lb)
Physical dimensions 140 x 79 x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 93
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2534
Other
Battery life 450 photographs 270 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC8 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $3,495 $2,798