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Leica X2 vs Sony A550

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Leica X2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • No Video
  • 36mm (F2.8) lens
  • 345g - 124 x 69 x 52mm
  • Introduced May 2012
  • Previous Model is Leica X1
  • Later Model is Leica X Vario
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Leica X2 vs Sony A550 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Leica X2 versus Sony A550, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the X2 (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is fairly well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The X2 was introduced 2 years after the A550 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica X2 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the X2 scores versus the A550 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Sony A550

 X2 A550 
ReleasedMay 2012December 2009More modern by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Leica X2

 A550 X2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Leica X2 and Sony A550

 X2 A550 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Leica X2 provides external dimensions of 124mm x 69mm x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") along with a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Leica X2 versus Sony A550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the X2 compared to the A550.

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the X2 and A550 is 83 and 63 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the X2 and A550.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Leica X2 to resolve more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern X2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X2 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica X2
Street photography with Sony A550
65
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
74
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica X2 Sports photography advice
Sony A550 Sports photography advice
49
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery pack (450 CIPA)
fixed focal length (36mm)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica X2 Travel photography details
Sony A550 Travel photography details
64
great battery pack (450 shots)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
bad battery life (480 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X2 Landscape photography factors
Sony A550 Landscape photography factors
53
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (450 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
66
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
bad battery life (480 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica X2
Vlogging with Sony A550
9
no video
9
can't record video
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Leica X2 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Sony A550
 Leica X2Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model Leica X2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-05-10 2009-12-09
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 12500 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 36mm (1x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus distance 30cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 345 grams (0.76 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 450 photographs 480 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $994 $749