• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Leica X Vario advantages over Panasonic LX100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.77 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,320 vs 553 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.7 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    55 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    393g vs 636g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.6 fps vs 4.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    130 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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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

  • Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life

  • Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak

  • Read our Panasonic LX100 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Leica X Vario
Sony RX100 III
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III

Panasonic LX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Canon G7X

Leica X Vario
Canon G7X
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica X Vario vs Canon G7X

Panasonic LX100
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Canon G7X

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

Panasonic LX100
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 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

Panasonic LX100
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

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)

Panasonic LX100
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic LX100 vs Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

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