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Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II front
Portability
78
Imaging
76
Features
65
Overall
71

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II 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
  • Announced May 2012
  • Replaced the Leica X1
  • Newer Model is Leica X Vario
Sony RX1R II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 35mm (F2.0) lens
  • 507g - 113 x 65 x 72mm
  • Introduced October 2015
  • Succeeded the Sony RX1R
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II Overview

The following is a extended assessment of the Leica X2 and Sony RX1R II, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the X2 (16MP) and RX1R II (42MP) and the X2 (APS-C) and RX1R II (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The X2 was revealed 4 years earlier than the RX1R II which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the X2 matches up versus the RX1R II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Sony RX1R II

 X2 RX1R II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX1R II over the Leica X2

 RX1R II X2 
IntroducedOctober 2015May 2012Newer by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica X2 and Sony RX1R II

 X2 RX1R II 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica X2 comes with 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) and the Sony RX1R II has dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 507 grams (1.12 lbs).

Check the Leica X2 and Sony RX1R II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the X2 versus the RX1R II.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X2 and RX1R II is 83 and 78 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the X2 and RX1R II.

Clearly, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The X2 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony RX1R II will give greater detail because of its extra 26MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The more aged X2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX1R II as a Portrait photography camera
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
85
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/4,000s)
high resolution (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica X2 Street photography advice
Sony RX1R II Street photography advice
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
73
screen tilts
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (507 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X2 Sports photography highlights
Sony RX1R II Sports photography highlights
49
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery power (450 shots)
focal length is fixed (36mm)
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
63
high resolution (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
can't change focal length (35mm)
max frames per second very slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (220 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Leica X2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX1R II as a Travel photography camera
64
great battery power (450 per charge)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
high resolution (42 megapixels)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
heavier than average in class (507g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X2 Landscape photography factors
Sony RX1R II Landscape photography factors
53
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (450 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
high resolution (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X2 Vlogging advice
Sony RX1R II Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
34
very good max aperture (f2.0)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic port
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (507g)
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Leica X2 vs Sony RX1R II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Sony RX1R II
 Leica X2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model type Leica X2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
Type Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-05-10 2015-10-13
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 12500 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 50
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/2.0
Macro focusing range 30cm 14cm
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max 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 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 345g (0.76 lb) 507g (1.12 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 113 x 65 x 72mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 97
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 3204
Other
Battery life 450 images 220 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2,5, 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $994 $3,300