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Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Key Specs

Leica X2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • No Video
  • 36mm (F2.8) lens
  • 345g - 124 x 69 x 52mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Earlier Model is Leica X1
  • New Model is Leica X Vario
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2014
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Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Leica X2 versus Pentax Q-S1, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the X2 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the X2 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") enjoy different sensor size.

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The X2 was released 3 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Leica X2 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the X2 grades vs the Q-S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Pentax Q-S1

 X2 Q-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Leica X2

 Q-S1 X2 
ReleasedAugust 2014May 2012Fresher by 27 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica X2 and Pentax Q-S1

 X2 Q-S1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Leica X2 offers external dimensions of 124mm x 69mm x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Analyze the Leica X2 versus Pentax Q-S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the X2 versus the Q-S1.

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the X2 and Q-S1 is 83 and 92 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through specifications. The graphic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the X2 and Q-S1.

Plainly, each of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The X2 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Leica X2 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics much more aggressively. The older X2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography factors
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
46
has manual focus
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Leica X2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
65
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (203g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Leica X2 Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
49
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (450 CIPA)
can't change focal length (36mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Travel photography camera
64
good battery pack (450 shots)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competition (203g)
flash built-in
low battery power (250 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography highlights
53
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (450 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
low battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X2 Vlogging info
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (203 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic socket
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Leica X2 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Pentax Q-S1
 Leica X2Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Company Leica Pentax
Model type Leica X2 Pentax Q-S1
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-05-10 2014-08-04
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12500 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 36mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focusing distance 30cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Crop factor 1.5 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 345 gr (0.76 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 450 shots 250 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $994 $250