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Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA

Portability
64
Imaging
59
Features
52
Overall
56
Leica X-U front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A) front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
77
Overall
63

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA 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
  • Other Name is Typ 113
Sony RX100 VA
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 299g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Revealed July 2018
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Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X-U (16MP) and the RX100 VA (20MP) is relatively well matched but the X-U (APS-C) and RX100 VA (1") offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The X-U was announced 3 years prior to the RX100 VA which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the X-U matches up vs the RX100 VA in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 X-U RX100 VA 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen

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

 RX100 VA X-U 
RevealedJuly 2018January 2016More modern by 30 months
Screen resolution1229k920kClearer screen (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 X-U RX100 VA 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica X-U has got outside measurements of 140mm x 79mm x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") along with a weight of 635 grams (1.40 lbs) and the Sony RX100 VA has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 299 grams (0.66 lbs).

See the Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the X-U compared to the RX100 VA.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the X-U and RX100 VA is 64 and 89 respectively.

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

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The picture below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X-U and RX100 VA.

Plainly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X-U with its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Sony RX100 VA will resolve greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged X-U is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA sensor size comparison

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X-U as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Portrait photography camera
75
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
66
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica X-U Street photography factors
Sony RX100 VA Street photography factors
63
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than average (635g)
86
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (299g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X-U as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 VA as a Sports photography camera
54
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
better than average battery (450 shots)
can't change focal length (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
70
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
fast shooting (24.0 fps)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
offers tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Leica X-U Travel photography information
Sony RX100 VA Travel photography information
62
better than average battery (450 shots)
environment sealing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
very good max aperture (f1.7)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (635g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
76
lighter than average in class (299 grams)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (220 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X-U Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX100 VA Landscape photography highlights
63
focusing manually
very good max aperture (f1.7)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery (450 CIPA)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
66
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X-U Vlogging features
Sony RX100 VA Vlogging features
25
very good max aperture (f1.7)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone port
more heavy than average (635 grams)
81
reasonably wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than average in class (299 grams)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Leica X-U vs Sony RX100 VA Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X-U and Sony RX100 VA
 Leica X-USony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model Leica X-U Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V(A)
Alternative name Typ 113 -
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2016-01-20 2018-07-13
Physical type 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 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12500 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 315
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture f/1.7-16.0 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus range - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 24.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.20 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Automatic, automatic/red eye reduction, on, on/red eye reduction, long-term synchronization/red eye reduction, off Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Rear Sync, Flash Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) NP-BX1 lithium-ion battery & USB charger
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 635 grams (1.40 lbs) 299 grams (0.66 lbs)
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 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 images 220 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC8 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $3,495 $998