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Leica X2 vs Sony S950

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 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
  • Old Model is Leica X1
  • Newer Model is Leica X Vario
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Leica X2 vs Sony S950 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Leica X2 and Sony S950, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the X2 (16MP) and S950 (10MP) and the X2 (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The X2 was announced 3 years later than the S950 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Leica X2 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony S950 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the X2 matches up vs the S950 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Sony S950

 X2 S950 
RevealedMay 2012February 2009Fresher by 40 months

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Leica X2

 S950 X2 

Common features in the Leica X2 and Sony S950

 X2 S950 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica X2 enjoys external dimensions of 124mm x 69mm x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") having a weight of 345 grams (0.76 lbs) whilst the Sony S950 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Leica X2 and Sony S950 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the X2 versus the S950.

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the X2 and S950 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the X2 and S950.

As you can see, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The X2 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Leica X2 will offer greater detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent X2 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X2 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X2 Portrait photography info
Sony S950 Portrait photography info
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
26
has manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica X2
Street photography with Sony S950
65
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica X2 Sports photography highlights
Sony S950 Sports photography highlights
49
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (450 per charge)
focal length is fixed (36mm)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica X2 Travel photography features
Sony S950 Travel photography features
64
great battery pack (450 per charge)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica X2
Landscape photography with Sony S950
53
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (450 per charge)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
focal length is fixed (36mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
31
has manual focus
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X2 Vlogging features
Sony S950 Vlogging features
9
no video recording
9
no video recording
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Leica X2 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Sony S950
 Leica X2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica X2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Type Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-05-10 2009-02-17
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 12500 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36mm (1x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 30cm 10cm
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 345 gr (0.76 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 450 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $994 $130