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Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Sigma DP1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
43
Features
30
Overall
37

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 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
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Replaced the Leica X2
Sigma DP1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 800
  • No Video
  • 28mm (F) lens
  • 270g - 113 x 60 x 50mm
  • Introduced May 2008
  • Refreshed by Sigma DP1s
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Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Leica X Vario versus Sigma DP1, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Leica and Sigma. There is a sizeable difference between the image resolutions of the X Vario (16MP) and DP1 (5MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The X Vario was brought out 5 years later than the DP1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the X Vario grades vs the DP1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Sigma DP1

 X Vario DP1 
IntroducedJune 2013May 2008More recent by 62 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma DP1 over the Leica X Vario

 DP1 X Vario 

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Sigma DP1

 X Vario DP1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica X Vario provides physical dimensions of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) whilst the Sigma DP1 has dimensions of 113mm x 60mm x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 270 grams (0.60 lbs).

Contrast the Leica X Vario versus Sigma DP1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the X Vario versus the DP1.

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the X Vario and DP1 is 62 and 87 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the X Vario and DP1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Leica X Vario to give you extra detail having its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The younger X Vario should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario Portrait photography features
Sigma DP1 Portrait photography features
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW files
55
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (5MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario Street photography advice
Sigma DP1 Street photography advice
53
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (680 grams)
64
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (270 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
low max ISO (800)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X Vario Sports photography features
Sigma DP1 Sports photography features
54
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
31
decent sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (28mm)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Travel photography camera
Sigma DP1 as a Travel photography camera
56
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (680g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
63
lighter than competition (270g)
built-in flash
good maximum aperture (f)
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (5 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica X Vario
Landscape photography with Sigma DP1
61
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (450 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
44
focusing manually
good maximum aperture (f)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (5MP)
low max ISO (800)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging information
Sigma DP1 Vlogging information
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
offers face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic port
heavier than others in class (680g)
9
no video
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Leica X Vario vs Sigma DP1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Sigma DP1
 Leica X VarioSigma DP1
General Information
Make Leica Sigma
Model type Leica X Vario Sigma DP1
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-11 2008-05-19
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 5 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3272 2640 x 1760
Highest native ISO 12500 800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 28mm (1x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.4 -
Crop factor 1.5 1.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680g (1.50 lb) 270g (0.60 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 113 x 60 x 50mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.0")
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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-DC8 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $2,950 $566