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Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Ricoh GR II front
Portability
89
Imaging
59
Features
55
Overall
57

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II Key Specs

Leica X Vario
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-70mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 680g - 133 x 73 x 95mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Older Model is Leica X2
Ricoh GR II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F2.8-16.0) lens
  • 251g - 117 x 63 x 35mm
  • Announced June 2015
  • Older Model is Ricoh GR
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Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by brands Leica and Ricoh. The image resolution of the X Vario (16MP) and the GR II (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The X Vario was announced 24 months prior to the GR II which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the X Vario scores against the GR II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Ricoh GR II

 X Vario GR II 

Reasons to pick Ricoh GR II over the Leica X Vario

 GR II X Vario 
AnnouncedJune 2015June 2013Fresher by 24 months
Screen resolution1230k920kClearer screen (+310k dot)

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Ricoh GR II

 X Vario GR II 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica X Vario has exterior measurements of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") with a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) whilst the Ricoh GR II has measurements of 117mm x 63mm x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the X Vario versus the GR II.

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X Vario and GR II is 62 and 89 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The visual below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the X Vario and GR II.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of photographs but you might want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The older X Vario will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh GR II as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
75
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica X Vario
Street photography with Ricoh GR II
53
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (680 grams)
74
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (251 grams)
great high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica X Vario
Sports photography with Ricoh GR II
54
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery life (450 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
50
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (28mm)
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario Travel photography features
Ricoh GR II Travel photography features
56
good battery life (450 shots)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (680 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
67
lighter than competition (251g)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Landscape photography camera
Ricoh GR II as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (450 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
59
has manual focus
screen size is decent (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica X Vario
Vlogging with Ricoh GR II
25
quite wide (28mm)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (680 grams)
32
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (251 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
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Leica X Vario vs Ricoh GR II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Ricoh GR II
 Leica X VarioRicoh GR II
General Information
Brand Name Leica Ricoh
Model type Leica X Vario Ricoh GR II
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-11 2015-06-17
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - GR Engine V
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3272 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12500 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 28mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/2.8-16.0
Macro focusing range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 300s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, Flash On, Flash Synchro., Manual Flash, Red-Eye Flash Auto, Red-Eye Flash On, Red-Eye Flash Synchro, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680 grams (1.50 pounds) 251 grams (0.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 117 x 63 x 35mm (4.6" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 13.7
DXO Low light rating 1320 1078
Other
Battery life 450 shots 320 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC8 DB-65
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $2,950 $599