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Leica X2 vs Sony RX1

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1 front
Portability
79
Imaging
70
Features
57
Overall
64

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 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
  • Launched May 2012
  • Succeeded the Leica X1
  • Newer Model is Leica X Vario
Sony RX1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0-22.0) lens
  • 482g - 113 x 65 x 70mm
  • Released February 2013
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Leica X2 versus Sony RX1, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the X2 (16MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the X2 (APS-C) and RX1 (Full frame) offer different sensor sizes.

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The X2 was brought out 9 months before the RX1 and they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a short summation of how the X2 grades versus the RX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Sony RX1

 X2 RX1 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1 over the Leica X2

 RX1 X2 
ReleasedFebruary 2013May 2012Newer by 9 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica X2 and Sony RX1

 X2 RX1 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica X2 has got outside measurements of 124mm x 69mm x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") along with a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Sony RX1 has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Examine the Leica X2 versus Sony RX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the X2 vs the RX1.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the X2 and RX1 is 83 and 79 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The pic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the X2 and RX1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X2 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony RX1 will give greater detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged X2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica X2
Portrait photography with Sony RX1
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
82
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/4,000s)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X2 Street photography information
Sony RX1 Street photography information
65
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
66
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
very good ISO range (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (482g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X2 Sports photography details
Sony RX1 Sports photography details
49
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (450 per charge)
can't change focal length (36mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
53
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
focal length is fixed (35mm)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (270 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X2 Travel photography factors
Sony RX1 Travel photography factors
64
better than average battery pack (450 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
62
MP count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
very good max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery life (270 per charge)
more heavy than others (482g)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X2 Landscape photography features
Sony RX1 Landscape photography features
53
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (450 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
65
has manual focus
very good max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (270 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Leica X2 Vlogging advice
Sony RX1 Vlogging advice
9
no video
34
very good max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone port
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than others (482 grams)
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Sony RX1
 Leica X2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica X2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-05-10 2013-02-19
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12500 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/2.0-22.0
Macro focusing distance 30cm -
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Xtra FineTFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic and Optical (optional)
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/4000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 25, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 345g (0.76 pounds) 482g (1.06 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 113 x 65 x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 93
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2534
Other
Battery life 450 shots 270 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $994 $2,798