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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
58
Overall
65

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R 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
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Older Model is Leica X2
Sony RX1R
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Refreshed by Sony RX1R II
Photography Glossary

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Leica X Vario and Sony RX1R, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the X Vario (16MP) and RX1R (24MP) and the X Vario (APS-C) and RX1R (Full frame) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The X Vario was introduced very close to the RX1R which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the X Vario scores versus the RX1R in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Sony RX1R

 X Vario RX1R 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R over the Leica X Vario

 RX1R X Vario 
Display resolution1229k920kSharper display (+309k dot)

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Sony RX1R

 X Vario RX1R 
LaunchedJune 2013June 2013Similar generation
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Leica X Vario provides 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) while the Sony RX1R has proportions of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Contrast the Leica X Vario and Sony RX1R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the X Vario vs the RX1R.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X Vario and RX1R is 62 and 79 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X Vario and RX1R.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The X Vario using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Sony RX1R will resolve more detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario Portrait photography factors
Sony RX1R Portrait photography factors
74
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
82
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/4,000s)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Street photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Street photography camera
53
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (680 grams)
66
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
above average ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica X Vario
Sports photography with Sony RX1R
54
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
53
good resolution (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
can't change focal length (35mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario Travel photography factors
Sony RX1R Travel photography factors
56
better than average battery pack (450 CIPA)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (680g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
62
good resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Time Lapse function
low battery pack (270 per charge)
heavier than competition (482g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX1R as a Landscape photography camera
61
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (450 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse mode
66
you can focus manually
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (270 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging information
Sony RX1R Vlogging information
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competition (680 grams)
34
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (482 grams)
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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Sony RX1R
 Leica X VarioSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model type Leica X Vario Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-06-11 2013-06-26
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3272 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 12500 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/2.0
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/4000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680 grams (1.50 lb) 482 grams (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 91
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 13.6
DXO Low light rating 1320 2537
Other
Battery life 450 photographs 270 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC8 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $2,950 $2,798