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Leica X Vario vs Leica X1

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Leica X1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 Key Specs

Leica X Vario
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-70mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 680g - 133 x 73 x 95mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Succeeded the Leica X2
Leica X1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • 35mm (F2.8) lens
  • 306g - 124 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched December 2009
  • Replacement is Leica X2
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Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Leica X Vario versus Leica X1, both Large Sensor Compact cameras and they are both produced by Leica. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the X Vario (16MP) and X1 (12MP) but they use the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The X Vario was released 3 years after the X1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the X Vario grades against the X1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Leica X1

 X Vario X1 
LaunchedJune 2013December 2009More modern by 43 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Leica X Vario

 X1 X Vario 

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Leica X1

 X Vario X1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Leica X Vario comes with exterior measurements of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") and a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) while the Leica X1 has specifications of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs).

Check out the Leica X Vario versus Leica X1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the X Vario against the X1.

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X Vario and X1 is 62 and 89 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes only by going through technical specs. The pic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the X Vario and X1.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Leica X Vario to show greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The younger X Vario is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica X Vario
Portrait photography with Leica X1
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario Street photography highlights
Leica X1 Street photography highlights
53
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (680 grams)
70
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (306g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Sports photography camera
Leica X1 as a Sports photography camera
54
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery power (450 shots)
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
34
nice sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (35mm)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario Travel photography information
Leica X1 Travel photography information
56
great battery power (450 CIPA)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (680g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
59
lighter than average in class (306 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica X Vario
Landscape photography with Leica X1
61
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (450 per charge)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse recording
44
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging info
Leica X1 Vlogging info
25
fairly wide (28mm)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic port
heavier than others in class (680g)
9
no video recording
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Leica X Vario vs Leica X1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Leica X1
 Leica X VarioLeica X1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Leica
Model type Leica X Vario Leica X1
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-06-11 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 15.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3272 4272 x 2856
Max native ISO 12500 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/2.8
Macro focusing range - 30cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680g (1.50 lb) 306g (0.67 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1320 not tested
Other
Battery life 450 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-DC8 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $2,950 $1,495