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Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III

Portability
64
Imaging
59
Features
52
Overall
56
Leica X-U front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III 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
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Also referred to as Typ 113
Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed May 2014
  • Superseded the Sony RX100 II
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 IV
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Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III Overview

Here is a thorough overview of the Leica X-U and Sony RX100 III, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X-U (16MP) and the RX100 III (20MP) is fairly well matched but the X-U (APS-C) and RX100 III (1") posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The X-U was manufactured 21 months later than the RX100 III making them a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the X-U matches up against the RX100 III with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica X-U over the Sony RX100 III

 X-U RX100 III 
RevealedJanuary 2016May 2014Fresher by 21 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Leica X-U

 RX100 III X-U 
Display resolution1229k920kSharper display (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica X-U and Sony RX100 III

 X-U RX100 III 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica X-U features outside measurements of 140mm x 79mm x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") having a weight of 635 grams (1.40 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 III has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).

Analyze the Leica X-U and Sony RX100 III in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the X-U compared to the RX100 III.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X-U and RX100 III is 64 and 89 respectively.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III top view buttons comparison

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the X-U and RX100 III.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The X-U because of its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony RX100 III will give you greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more modern X-U is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III sensor size comparison

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X-U Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 III Portrait photography advice
75
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
64
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica X-U Street photography advice
Sony RX100 III Street photography advice
63
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (635g)
85
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (290g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X-U Sports photography factors
Sony RX100 III Sports photography factors
54
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
great battery (450 per charge)
can't change focal length (35mm)
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X-U Travel photography advice
Sony RX100 III Travel photography advice
62
great battery (450 per charge)
weather sealing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
good max aperture (f1.7)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (635g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
85
lighter than competition in class (290 grams)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
really wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X-U as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Landscape photography camera
63
focusing manually
good max aperture (f1.7)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
great battery (450 per charge)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
73
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica X-U
Vlogging with Sony RX100 III
25
good max aperture (f1.7)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
more heavy than others in class (635 grams)
80
really wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (290g)
no external microphone port
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Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X-U and Sony RX100 III
 Leica X-USony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model Leica X-U Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Also referred to as Typ 113 -
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-01-20 2014-05-15
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12500 12800
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Highest aperture f/1.7-16.0 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 920k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
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 -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 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 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 635g (1.40 lb) 290g (0.64 lb)
Physical dimensions 140 x 79 x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 67
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 495
Other
Battery life 450 images 320 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC8 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $3,495 $748