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Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44
Leica X1 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
Portability
54
Imaging
62
Features
93
Overall
74

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X Key Specs

Leica X1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • 35mm (F2.8) lens
  • 306g - 124 x 60 x 32mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Newer Model is Leica X2
Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Revealed January 2019
  • Previous Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Leica X1 and Olympus E-M1X, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Olympus. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the X1 (12MP) and E-M1X (20MP) and the X1 (APS-C) and E-M1X (Four Thirds) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The X1 was unveiled 10 years earlier than the E-M1X which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Leica X1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Olympus E-M1X being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the X1 matches up vs the E-M1X in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Olympus E-M1X

 X1 E-M1X 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Leica X1

 E-M1X X1 
RevealedJanuary 2019December 2009Newer by 110 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica X1 and Olympus E-M1X

 X1 E-M1X 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica X1 enjoys physical measurements of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) and the Olympus E-M1X has measurements of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs).

Look at the Leica X1 and Olympus E-M1X in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the X1 vs the E-M1X.

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the X1 and E-M1X is 89 and 54 respectively.

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X top view buttons comparison

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by seeing technical specs. The pic below should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X1 and E-M1X.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X1 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Olympus E-M1X will show extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged X1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X sensor size comparison

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X1 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-M1X Portrait photography information
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
77
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica X1
Street photography with Olympus E-M1X
70
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (306g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
67
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than competition (997 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica X1
Sports photography with Olympus E-M1X
34
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
can't change focal length (35mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have phase detect AF
81
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
max fps high (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (870 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X1 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-M1X as a Travel photography camera
59
lighter than competition in class (306g)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
better than average battery power (870 shots)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (997g)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X1 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-M1X Landscape photography details
44
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
80
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery power (870 CIPA)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X1 Vlogging details
Olympus E-M1X Vlogging details
9
no video shooting
68
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (997g)
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Leica X1 vs Olympus E-M1X Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X1 and Olympus E-M1X
 Leica X1Olympus OM-D E-M1X
General Information
Brand Name Leica Olympus
Model Leica X1 Olympus OM-D E-M1X
Class Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-12-18 2019-01-24
Physical type Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Dual TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Maximum resolution 4272 x 2856 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 121
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens focal range 35mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus distance 30cm -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 60.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 306g (0.67 lb) 997g (2.20 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 870 pictures
Style of battery - Built-in
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card -
Card slots One Dual
Launch price $1,495 $2,999