• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Ricoh GXR advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Less expensive
    $1380 vs $2850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.53 vs 4.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    423g vs 636g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    180 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica X Vario advantages over Ricoh GXR

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.4 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 3200 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
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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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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.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K2000

Ricoh GXR
Pentax K2000
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
Leica X Vario
Pentax K2000
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $556
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm X100

Ricoh GXR
Fujifilm X100
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Leica X Vario
Fujifilm X100
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Ricoh GXR
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Internal flash
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Leica X Vario
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Ricoh GXR
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • More pixels
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Ricoh GXR
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $1380
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Newer
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
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