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Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
64
Imaging
60
Features
52
Overall
56
Leica X-U front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 Key Specs

Leica X-U
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F1.7-16.0) lens
  • 635g - 140 x 79 x 88mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Also referred to as Typ 113
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Announced September 2018
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Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Leica and Zeiss. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the X-U (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the X-U (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The X-U was announced 3 years earlier than the ZX1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the X-U matches up vs the ZX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica X-U over the Zeiss ZX1

 X-U ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Leica X-U

 ZX1 X-U 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018January 2016Fresher by 32 months
Screen dimensions4.34"3"Bigger screen (+1.34")
Screen resolution2765k920kClearer screen (+1845k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica X-U and Zeiss ZX1

 X-U ZX1 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica X-U offers physical dimensions of 140mm x 79mm x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 635 grams (1.40 lbs) whilst the Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the X-U against the ZX1.

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X-U and ZX1 is 64 and 67 respectively.

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The photograph here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the X-U and ZX1.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The X-U with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Zeiss ZX1 will give more detail with its extra 21 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older X-U is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X-U Portrait photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography highlights
76
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
87
you can focus manually
MP count excellent (37MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica X-U Street photography information
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography information
64
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
no image stabilization
heavier than competitors (635g)
71
screen articulates fully
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
has touch focus
good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X-U Sports photography highlights
Zeiss ZX1 Sports photography highlights
55
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proof
better than average battery pack (450 per charge)
can't change focal length (35mm)
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
64
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count excellent (37MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X-U as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
62
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
weather proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
good max aperture (f1.7)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (635 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
supports bluetooth
has touch focus
MP count excellent (37MP)
good maximum aperture (f2)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (800 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X-U Landscape photography advice
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography advice
63
has manual focus
good max aperture (f1.7)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery pack (450 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
good maximum aperture (f2)
lovely big screen (4.34 inches)
MP count excellent (37 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X-U Vlogging factors
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging factors
25
good max aperture (f1.7)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competitors (635g)
31
good maximum aperture (f2)
has touchscreen
has face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
heavier than competition (800 grams)
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Leica X-U vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X-U and Zeiss ZX1
 Leica X-UZeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Leica Zeiss
Model Leica X-U Zeiss ZX1
Also called Typ 113 -
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2016-01-20 2018-09-27
Body design 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 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12500 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 255
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/1.7-16.0 f/2-22
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 4.34"
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 2,765 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Automatic, automatic/red eye reduction, on, on/red eye reduction, long-term synchronization/red eye reduction, off no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 635 gr (1.40 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 140 x 79 x 88mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 3.5") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BP-DC8 -
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC 512GB internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $3,495 -