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Leica X1 vs Sony RX100

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44
Leica X1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 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
  • Revealed December 2009
  • New Model is Leica X2
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Refreshed by Sony RX100 II
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Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Leica X1 and Sony RX100, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the X1 (12MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the X1 (APS-C) and RX100 (1") come with totally different sensor size.

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The X1 was manufactured 3 years before the RX100 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief summation of how the X1 grades against the RX100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Sony RX100

 X1 RX100 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Leica X1

 RX100 X1 
RevealedAugust 2012December 2009Newer by 32 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica X1 and Sony RX100

 X1 RX100 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica X1 has exterior measurements of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Analyze the Leica X1 and Sony RX100 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the X1 and the RX100.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X1 and RX100 is 89 and 91 respectively.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through specifications. The pic below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the X1 and RX100.

Plainly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X1 due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX100 will produce extra detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged X1 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X1 Portrait photography features
Sony RX100 Portrait photography features
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
64
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Leica X1 Street photography details
Sony RX100 Street photography details
70
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (306g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
79
image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than others (240 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica X1 Sports photography features
Sony RX100 Sports photography features
34
decent sensor size (APS-C)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
65
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X1 Travel photography information
Sony RX100 Travel photography information
59
lighter than competitors in class (306 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
79
lighter than others (240g)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica X1
Landscape photography with Sony RX100
44
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
74
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
38
rather wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (240g)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic socket
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Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X1 and Sony RX100
 Leica X1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica X1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-12-18 2012-08-28
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4272 x 2856 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35mm (1x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing range 30cm 5cm
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 306 gr (0.67 pounds) 240 gr (0.53 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 66
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 390
Other
Battery life - 330 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $1,495 $448