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Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II

Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44
Leica X1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II front
Portability
78
Imaging
76
Features
65
Overall
71

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II 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
  • Announced December 2009
  • Renewed by Leica X2
Sony RX1R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600 (Boost to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 507g - 113 x 65 x 72mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Older Model is Sony RX1R
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Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Leica X1 versus Sony RX1R II, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the X1 (12MP) and RX1R II (42MP) and the X1 (APS-C) and RX1R II (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The X1 was launched 6 years prior to the RX1R II and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the X1 scores vs the RX1R II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Sony RX1R II

 X1 RX1R II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R II over the Leica X1

 RX1R II X1 
AnnouncedOctober 2015December 2009Fresher by 70 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica X1 and Sony RX1R II

 X1 RX1R II 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica X1 has exterior measurements of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs) while the Sony RX1R II has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") with a weight of 507 grams (1.12 lbs).

Analyze the Leica X1 versus Sony RX1R II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the X1 and the RX1R II.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X1 and RX1R II is 89 and 78 respectively.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II top view buttons comparison

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through specs. The visual here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the X1 and RX1R II.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony RX1R II will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 30 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older X1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II sensor size comparison

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X1 Portrait photography info
Sony RX1R II Portrait photography info
63
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
85
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
MP count fantastic (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X1 Street photography highlights
Sony RX1R II Street photography highlights
70
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (306g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
73
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
heavier than others (507 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X1 Sports photography information
Sony RX1R II Sports photography information
34
decent sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (35mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect auto focus
63
MP count fantastic (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
fixed focal length (35mm)
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery (220 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica X1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX1R II as a Travel photography camera
59
lighter than competition in class (306 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
59
MP count fantastic (42MP)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (220 shots)
heavier than others (507 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X1 Landscape photography details
Sony RX1R II Landscape photography details
44
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
68
has manual focus
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count fantastic (42 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
no image stabilization
terrible battery (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX1R II as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
34
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
heavier than others (507 grams)
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Leica X1 vs Sony RX1R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X1 and Sony RX1R II
 Leica X1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica X1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-12-18 2015-10-13
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4272 x 2856 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/2.0
Macro focusing distance 30cm 14cm
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/4000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 306 gr (0.67 lb) 507 gr (1.12 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") 113 x 65 x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 97
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 3204
Other
Battery life - 220 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2,5, 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,495 $3,300