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Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
77
Overall
62

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III 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
  • Revealed May 2012
  • Superseded the Leica X1
  • Later Model is Leica X Vario
Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Launched May 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony RX100 II
  • Renewed by Sony RX100 IV
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Leica X2 versus Sony RX100 III, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. The resolution of the X2 (16MP) and the RX100 III (20MP) is very similar but the X2 (APS-C) and RX100 III (1") feature different sensor size.

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The X2 was brought out 24 months before the RX100 III making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the X2 matches up against the RX100 III with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Sony RX100 III

 X2 RX100 III 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Leica X2

 RX100 III X2 
LaunchedMay 2014May 2012More recent by 24 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1229k230kClearer display (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Leica X2 and Sony RX100 III

 X2 RX100 III 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Touch display Absent Touch display

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica X2 offers physical 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) and the Sony RX100 III has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).

See the Leica X2 versus Sony RX100 III in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the X2 compared to the RX100 III.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the X2 and RX100 III is 83 and 89 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the X2 and RX100 III.

As you can tell, both cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The X2 because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Sony RX100 III will deliver extra detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older X2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica X2 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX100 III Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
65
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica X2
Street photography with Sony RX100 III
65
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
no image stabilization
85
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (290g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Sports photography camera
49
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (450 per charge)
fixed focal length (36mm)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
provides tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Travel photography camera
64
better than average battery power (450 shots)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
86
lighter than competition in class (290g)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX100 III Landscape photography highlights
53
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (450 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
74
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 III as a Vlogging camera
9
no video recording
81
relatively wide (24mm)
great max aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (290g)
no external microphone support
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX100 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Sony RX100 III
 Leica X2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica X2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-05-10 2014-05-15
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12500 12800
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36mm (1x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance 30cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 345 gr (0.76 lbs) 290 gr (0.64 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 67
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 495
Other
Battery life 450 pictures 320 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous)
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $994 $748