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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
51
Features
68
Overall
57

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 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
  • Superseded the Leica X2
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released August 2012
  • New Model is Sony RX100 II
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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 Overview

Here is a extended review of the Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X Vario (16MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is very close but the X Vario (APS-C) and RX100 (1") offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The X Vario was released 10 months later than the RX100 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the X Vario matches up against the RX100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Sony RX100

 X Vario RX100 
ReleasedJune 2013August 2012Fresher by 10 months

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Leica X Vario

 RX100 X Vario 
Display resolution1229k920kClearer display (+309k dot)

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Sony RX100

 X Vario RX100 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica X Vario enjoys outside measurements of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") along with a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

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Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the X Vario versus the RX100.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X Vario and RX100 is 62 and 91 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to see the gap in sensor sizing simply by looking through specs. The visual below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the X Vario and RX100.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The X Vario because of its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony RX100 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent X Vario will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
64
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario Street photography details
Sony RX100 Street photography details
53
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (680 grams)
80
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than average (240 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica X Vario Sports photography details
Sony RX100 Sports photography details
54
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (450 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect AF
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports tracking autofocus
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica X Vario
Travel photography with Sony RX100
56
good battery life (450 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (680g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
79
lighter than average (240 grams)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X Vario Landscape photography factors
Sony RX100 Landscape photography factors
61
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (450 shots)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging features
Sony RX100 Vlogging features
25
really wide (28mm)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (680 grams)
38
fairly wide (28mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (240 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone jack
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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Sony RX100
 Leica X VarioSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model Leica X Vario Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-06-11 2012-08-28
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3272 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12500 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-70mm (2.5x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 680g (1.50 lbs) 240g (0.53 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 78 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 12.4
DXO Low light score 1320 390
Other
Battery life 450 photographs 330 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC8 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $2,950 $448