• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 36.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Leica X2 advantages over Canon 5DS R

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 4.14 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    51 mm vs 76 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 948g
    Lighter weight

Canon 5DS R advantages over Leica X2

  • 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 450 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1044k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    50.6 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Phenomenal resolution and sharpness; Fine Detail Picture Style is like in-camera Unsharp Mask; Excellent print quality; Decent high ISO performance; Improved normalized dynamic range compared to 5D Mark III; Decent burst speed with good buffer depths; Built-in intervalometer & timelapse movie mode.

  • AF speed tested closer to consumer-level DSLRs; Dynamic range lower than competing models from Nikon & Sony; Lack of OLPF means subject to more aliasing artifacts with some subjects; No 60p video frame rate; No headphone jack; Timelapse video is only 1080p.

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X2
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen
Canon 5DS R
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Leica X2
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
Canon 5DS R
Nikon Coolpix A
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1097
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dynamic range

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • $1534
  • APS-C
Canon 5DS R
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon 5DS

Leica X2
Canon 5DS
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Canon 5DS R
Canon 5DS
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Pentax K-1

Leica X2
Pentax K-1
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon 5DS R
Pentax K-1
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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