• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Leica X Vario advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/200 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    636g vs 1010g
    Lighter weight

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.10 vs 0.30 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 12500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica X Vario

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.

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

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
Pentax K-1 II
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $1697
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Higher max flash sync

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
Pentax K-1 II
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $1697
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Lighter weight

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
Pentax K-1 II
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $1697
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Leica X Vario
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1697
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Nikon D850

Leica X Vario
Nikon D850
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1697
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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