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Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44
Leica X1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
74
Overall
60

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II Key Specs

Leica X1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • 35mm (F2.8) lens
  • 306g - 124 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Later Model is Leica X2
Sony RX100 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 281g - 102 x 58 x 38mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Replaced the Sony RX100
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 III
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Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Leica X1 versus Sony RX100 II, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the X1 (12MP) and RX100 II (20MP) and the X1 (APS-C) and RX100 II (1") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The X1 was announced 4 years earlier than the RX100 II which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the X1 matches up against the RX100 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Sony RX100 II

 X1 RX100 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 II over the Leica X1

 RX100 II X1 
ReleasedJune 2013December 2009Newer by 42 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kSharper display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica X1 and Sony RX100 II

 X1 RX100 II 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Leica X1 has got outer measurements of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) whilst the Sony RX100 II has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 281 grams (0.62 lbs).

Contrast the Leica X1 versus Sony RX100 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the X1 compared to the RX100 II.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the X1 and RX100 II is 89 and 89 respectively.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II top view buttons comparison

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out technical specs. The image here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the X1 and RX100 II.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X1 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony RX100 II will produce extra detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged X1 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II sensor size comparison

Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica X1
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 II
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
70
manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X1 Street photography information
Sony RX100 II Street photography information
70
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average (306 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (281g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X1 Sports photography advice
Sony RX100 II Sports photography advice
34
sensor size is good (APS-C)
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
has tracking focus
good battery life (350 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica X1 Travel photography factors
Sony RX100 II Travel photography factors
59
lighter than average (306g)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
80
good battery life (350 shots)
lighter than competition in class (281g)
good MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica X1
Landscape photography with Sony RX100 II
44
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
74
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (350 per charge)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X1 Vlogging info
Sony RX100 II Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
37
relatively wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (281g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Leica X1 vs Sony RX100 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X1 and Sony RX100 II
 Leica X1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model type Leica X1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-12-18 2013-06-27
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4272 x 2856 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 160
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35mm (1x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focusing distance 30cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - Xtra Fine WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 15.00 m (ISO Auto (W))
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 306 grams (0.67 lbs) 281 grams (0.62 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 102 x 58 x 38mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 483
Other
Battery life - 350 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec. / 2 sec. / Self-portrait One-person/ Self-portrait Two-person/ Self timer Continuous (3 or 5 shots))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $1,495 $598