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Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
41
Overall
38

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 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
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Replaced the Leica X2
Nikon S9100
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 105 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9300
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Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Leica X Vario versus Nikon S9100, one is a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Leica and Nikon. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the X Vario (16MP) and S9100 (12MP) and the X Vario (APS-C) and S9100 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The X Vario was introduced 24 months after the S9100 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Leica X Vario being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Nikon S9100 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the X Vario scores against the S9100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Nikon S9100

 X Vario S9100 
AnnouncedJune 2013July 2011Newer by 24 months

Reasons to pick Nikon S9100 over the Leica X Vario

 S9100 X Vario 
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Nikon S9100

 X Vario S9100 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica X Vario has got exterior measurements of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") having a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) whilst the Nikon S9100 has dimensions of 105mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Look at the Leica X Vario versus Nikon S9100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the X Vario versus the S9100.

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X Vario and S9100 is 62 and 91 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the X Vario and S9100.

Clearly, the two cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The X Vario with its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Leica X Vario will give you more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots much more aggressively. The more recent X Vario will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario Portrait photography highlights
Nikon S9100 Portrait photography highlights
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
33
focusing manually
supports face detection autofocus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Street photography camera
Nikon S9100 as a Street photography camera
53
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (680g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (214g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica X Vario Sports photography details
Nikon S9100 Sports photography details
54
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery (450 shots)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (270 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario Travel photography information
Nikon S9100 Travel photography information
56
great battery (450 CIPA)
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (680g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
61
lighter than others in class (214g)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (270 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X Vario Landscape photography info
Nikon S9100 Landscape photography info
61
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great battery (450 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
40
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
terrible battery life (270 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging features
Nikon S9100 Vlogging features
25
fairly wide (28mm)
offers face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external mic jack
heavier than others in class (680g)
34
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
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Leica X Vario vs Nikon S9100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Nikon S9100
 Leica X VarioNikon Coolpix S9100
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model type Leica X Vario Nikon Coolpix S9100
Type Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2013-06-11 2011-07-19
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3272 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12500 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 4cm
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 920k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680 grams (1.50 lbs) 214 grams (0.47 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 105 x 62 x 35mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures 270 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC8 EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $2,950 $329