Leica X2 vs Olympus XZ-2

Cameras
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Leica X2 vs Olympus XZ-2

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
36.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica X2 Review.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Olympus XZ-2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XZ-2.

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Differences

Leica X2 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.79 vs 1.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

450 vs 310 shots
Capture more photos
More pixels
16.2 vs 12.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
8 vs 4 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Leica X2

Less expensive
$600 vs $1995 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Larger lens aperture
f/1.8 vs f/2.8
Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
More telephoto lens reach
112 mm vs 36 mm
Capture objects farther away
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
More dots on screen
920k 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
Wider angle lens
28 mm vs 36 mm
Capture more of the scene
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

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
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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

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Buy the Leica X2

Leica X2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus XZ-2

Olympus XZ-2

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica X2.
Read our Leica X2 Preview

Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.
Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.
Read our Olympus XZ-2 Express Review

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

Compare Leica X2 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Olympus XZ-2

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Leica X2

Pentax MX-1

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$399
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica X2 vs Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-2

Pentax MX-1

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
Hot shoe

$399
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax MX-1

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

Compare Leica X2 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Olympus XZ-2

Nikon Coolpix A

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1097
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Compared to Canon G16

Leica X2

Canon G16

$1499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica X2 vs Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2

Canon G16

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$1499
APS-C

$1534
APS-C

Compare Leica X2 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Olympus XZ-2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1534
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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