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Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
78
Features
62
Overall
71

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 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
  • Launched June 2013
  • Succeeded the Leica X2
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Launched September 2018
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Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

The following is a in depth overview of the Leica X Vario versus Zeiss ZX1, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Leica and Zeiss. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the X Vario (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the X Vario (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The X Vario was brought out 6 years before the ZX1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the X Vario scores vs the ZX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Zeiss ZX1

 X Vario ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Leica X Vario

 ZX1 X Vario 
LaunchedSeptember 2018June 2013Newer by 64 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension4.34"3"Larger display (+1.34")
Display resolution2765k920kClearer display (+1845k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Zeiss ZX1

 X Vario ZX1 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica X Vario provides external measurements of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") and a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) and the Zeiss ZX1 has measurements of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Leica X Vario versus Zeiss ZX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the X Vario compared to the ZX1.

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the X Vario and ZX1 is 62 and 67 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the X Vario and ZX1.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The X Vario due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Zeiss ZX1 will produce greater detail having its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged X Vario will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X Vario Portrait photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography info
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
86
manual focus
great MP (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario Street photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography features
53
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (680g)
70
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
great ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (800g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Sports photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Sports photography camera
54
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery pack (450 CIPA)
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
64
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
great MP (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking focus
can't change focal length (35mm)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Travel photography camera
Zeiss ZX1 as a Travel photography camera
56
great battery pack (450 per charge)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (680 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
65
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
great MP (37MP)
great maximum aperture (f2)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (800g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X Vario Landscape photography details
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography details
61
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (450 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
69
manual focus
great maximum aperture (f2)
big screen (4.34 inches)
great MP (37 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
does not have image stabilization
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging information
Zeiss ZX1 Vlogging information
25
really wide (28mm)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
heavier than others in class (680 grams)
31
great maximum aperture (f2)
screen is touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic support
heavier than competition (800g)
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Leica X Vario vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Zeiss ZX1
 Leica X VarioZeiss ZX1
General Information
Make Leica Zeiss
Model type Leica X Vario Zeiss ZX1
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-06-11 2018-09-27
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 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 37 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3272 7488 x 4992
Maximum native ISO 12500 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 255
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/2-22
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 4.34 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 2,765k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680 grams (1.50 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-DC8 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC 512GB internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $2,950 -