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Leica X2 vs Sony RX100

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 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
  • Succeeded the Leica X1
  • Renewed by Leica X Vario
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Successor is Sony RX100 II
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Leica X2 vs Sony RX100, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. The resolution of the X2 (16MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is very well matched but the X2 (APS-C) and RX100 (1") have different sensor sizing.

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The X2 was manufactured 3 months earlier than the RX100 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the X2 scores vs the RX100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Sony RX100

 X2 RX100 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Leica X2

 RX100 X2 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica X2 and Sony RX100

 X2 RX100 
LaunchedMay 2012August 2012Similar generation
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Leica X2 offers outside measurements of 124mm x 69mm x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") having a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Sony RX100 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Analyze the Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the X2 and the RX100.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the X2 and RX100 is 83 and 91 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading through specs. The picture here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the X2 and RX100.

All in all, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The X2 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Sony RX100 will give you extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X2 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
64
manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica X2
Street photography with Sony RX100
65
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
79
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (240g)
great high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica X2 Sports photography advice
Sony RX100 Sports photography advice
49
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (450 shots)
focal length is fixed (36mm)
slow fps (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
65
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica X2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Travel photography camera
64
good battery life (450 per charge)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
79
lighter than competition (240 grams)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Landscape photography camera
53
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (450 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
74
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X2 Vlogging highlights
Sony RX100 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
38
fairly wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (240 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Sony RX100
 Leica X2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model Leica X2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-05-10 2012-08-28
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 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12500 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36mm (1x) 28-100mm (3.6x)
Max aperture f/2.8 f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus distance 30cm 5cm
Crop factor 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 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 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 345 gr (0.76 lbs) 240 gr (0.53 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 390
Other
Battery life 450 images 330 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $994 $448