Leica X Vario vs Canon G1X Mark II

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Leica X Vario vs Canon G1X Mark II

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APS-C 370.5mm²
16.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica X Vario Review.
See real-world photos taken with the X Vario.

1.5 inch 233.8mm²
13.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon G1X Mark II Review.
How does it shoot? Canon G1X Mark II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G1X Mark II.
Compare Canon G1X Mark II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon G1X Mark II conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon G1X Mark III
Compare G1X Mark II vs G1X Mark III
Compare Leica X Vario vs Canon G1X Mark III

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Differences

Leica X Vario advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1.5 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
X Vario test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

1,320 vs 581 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
X Vario test data on DxO Mark G1X Mark II test data on DxO Mark

12.7 vs 10.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

350 vs 240 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
16.2 vs 13.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Leica X Vario

Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Larger lens aperture
f/2.0 vs f/3.5
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 70 mm
Capture objects farther away
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Thinner
66 mm vs 95 mm
Thinner
Less shutter lag
0.21 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
5.3 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X Vario User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

Outstanding design and build; Exceptionally sharp 28-70mm equivalent zoom lens; Very good still image quality with accurate and realistic colors; Fairly speedy and accurate autofocusing.
Expensive, especially for a fixed-lens compact; Relatively slow f/3.5-6.4 lens; Below average video functionality and quality; Not at all pocketable, about as big and heavy as a mirrorless camera with a moderate zoom lens attached.
Read our Leica X Vario Express Review

Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.
Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).
Read our Canon G1X Mark II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Leica X Vario

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$2950
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$899
APS-C

Larger lens aperture
Lighter weight

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Canon G1X Mark II

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
More pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Sigma dp3 Quattro

Leica X Vario

Sigma dp3 Quattro

$2950
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger lens aperture

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

Canon G1X Mark II

Sigma dp3 Quattro

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
More pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Leica X Vario

Panasonic LX100

$2950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica X Vario vs Panasonic LX100

Canon G1X Mark II

Panasonic LX100

$599
1.5 inch

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Leica X Vario

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$2950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$875
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica X Vario vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Canon G1X Mark II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

$599
1.5 inch

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$875
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Leica X Vario

Sigma dp0 Quattro

$2950
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
More pixels

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sigma dp0 Quattro

Canon G1X Mark II

Sigma dp0 Quattro

$599
1.5 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
More pixels

Compare Canon G1X Mark II vs Sigma dp0 Quattro

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