Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 II

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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 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 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100 II.
Compare Sony RX100 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 II conclusion.

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Differences

Leica X Vario advantages over Sony RX100 II

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.77 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.90 vs 2.8 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 RX100 II test data on DxO Mark

1,320 vs 483 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise

Sony RX100 II advantages over Leica X Vario

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Larger lens aperture
f/1.8 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
100 mm vs 70 mm
Capture objects farther away
Thinner
38 mm vs 95 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
281g vs 636g
Lighter weight
More dots on screen
1229k vs 920k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.15 vs 0.30 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.2 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
9.6 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
13 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
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
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
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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read X Vario User Reviews

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Sony RX100M II

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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

New, 20.2MP, 1-inch type, backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor produces superb image quality, with particular improvements in low light and high ISO; 3-inch tilting rear LCD screen handy for composing shots from difficult angles; Fast all-around performer with quick autofocus and virtually no shutter lag; New, multi-interface hotshoe for adding a strobe or optional electronic viewfinder; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
Bigger and heavier than previous model; More expensive than previous model; Reduced burst performance when shooting RAW files; Somewhat confusing menu structure and control layout; Wi-Fi features can be difficult to set up.
Read our Sony RX100 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100

Leica X Vario

Sony RX100

$2950
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1095
1 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100

$598
1 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1095
1 inch

Faster RAW shooting

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100

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

Sony RX100 II

Sony RX100 III

$598
1 inch

Less expensive
More telephoto lens reach

$748
1 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sony RX100 III

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

Sony RX100 II

Sigma dp2 Quattro

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$899
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 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

Sony RX100 II

Sigma dp3 Quattro

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

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

Sony RX100 II

Sigma dp0 Quattro

$598
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX100 II vs Sigma dp0 Quattro

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