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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV 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
  • Released June 2013
  • Previous Model is Leica X2
Sony RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Released June 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX100 III
  • New Model is Sony RX100 V
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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X Vario (16MP) and the RX100 IV (20MP) is very well matched but the X Vario (APS-C) and RX100 IV (1") have totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The X Vario was released 24 months earlier than the RX100 IV making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the X Vario matches up versus the RX100 IV with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Sony RX100 IV

 X Vario RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Leica X Vario

 RX100 IV X Vario 
ReleasedJune 2015June 2013More recent by 24 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1229k920kCrisper display (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Sony RX100 IV

 X Vario RX100 IV 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Leica X Vario enjoys external 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 Sony RX100 IV has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Compare the Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the X Vario and the RX100 IV.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X Vario and RX100 IV is 62 and 89 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through specifications. The photograph here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the X Vario and RX100 IV.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The X Vario due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony RX100 IV will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older X Vario is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography highlights
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW files
65
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Street photography camera
53
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
heavier than average (680 grams)
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (298 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica X Vario
Sports photography with Sony RX100 IV
54
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery power (450 shots)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
68
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (16.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
supports tracking focus
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Travel photography camera
56
better than average battery power (450 per charge)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (680 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
86
lighter than competitors in class (298g)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica X Vario
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 IV
61
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (450 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging factors
25
pretty wide (28mm)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic port
heavier than average (680g)
81
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (298g)
missing mic socket
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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Sony RX100 IV
 Leica X VarioSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model Leica X Vario Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2013-06-11 2015-06-10
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3272 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12500 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-70mm (2.5x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Max aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames/s 16.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 680g (1.50 lb) 298g (0.66 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 78 70
DXO Color Depth score 23.4 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 12.6
DXO Low light score 1320 562
Other
Battery life 450 photos 280 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC8 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $2,950 $898