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Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1

Portability
83
Imaging
57
Features
37
Overall
49
Leica X2 front
 
Zeiss ZX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
79
Features
62
Overall
72

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 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
  • Launched May 2012
  • Superseded the Leica X1
  • Updated by Leica X Vario
Zeiss ZX1
(Full Review)
  • 37MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 4.34" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 51200
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 35mm (F2-22) lens
  • 800g - 142 x 93 x 46mm
  • Released September 2018
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Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1, both Large Sensor Compact cameras by brands Leica and Zeiss. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the X2 (16MP) and ZX1 (37MP) and the X2 (APS-C) and ZX1 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizes.

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The X2 was announced 7 years before the ZX1 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Large Sensor Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the X2 grades versus the ZX1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica X2 over the Zeiss ZX1

 X2 ZX1 

Reasons to pick Zeiss ZX1 over the Leica X2

 ZX1 X2 
ReleasedSeptember 2018May 2012More recent by 77 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions4.34"2.7"Larger display (+1.64")
Display resolution2765k230kClearer display (+2535k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica X2 and Zeiss ZX1

 X2 ZX1 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica X2 features 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 Zeiss ZX1 has dimensions of 142mm x 93mm x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the X2 and the ZX1.

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the X2 and ZX1 is 83 and 67 respectively.

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The visual underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the X2 and ZX1.

To sum up, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The X2 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Zeiss ZX1 will show more detail with its extra 21MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older X2 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 sensor size comparison

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica X2 Portrait photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Portrait photography features
74
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
87
manual focus
great megapixels (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica X2 Street photography info
Zeiss ZX1 Street photography info
65
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
71
screen articulates
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
very good high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica X2
Sports photography with Zeiss ZX1
49
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (450 shots)
can't change focal length (36mm)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
64
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great megapixels (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features tracking focus
fixed focal length (35mm)
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica X2
Travel photography with Zeiss ZX1
64
better than average battery pack (450 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
supports bluetooth
supports focus by touch
great megapixels (37 megapixels)
very good max aperture (f2)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (800 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X2 Landscape photography features
Zeiss ZX1 Landscape photography features
53
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (450 CIPA)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (36mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
70
manual focus
very good max aperture (f2)
bigger than average screen (4.34 inch)
great megapixels (37MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (35mm)
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica X2
Vlogging with Zeiss ZX1
9
can't shoot video
31
very good max aperture (f2)
screen is touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no microphone port
more heavy than competition (800g)
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Leica X2 vs Zeiss ZX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X2 and Zeiss ZX1
 Leica X2Zeiss ZX1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Zeiss
Model Leica X2 Zeiss ZX1
Class Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-05-10 2018-09-27
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 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 37 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 7488 x 4992
Highest native ISO 12500 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 255
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 36mm (1x) 35mm (1x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/2-22
Macro focus distance 30cm -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inch 4.34 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 2,765k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 6,221k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 345 grams (0.76 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 69 x 52mm (4.9" x 2.7" x 2.0") 142 x 93 x 46mm (5.6" x 3.7" x 1.8")
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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card 512GB internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $994 -