Leica X Vario

    58
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    Highlights

    • 16.1 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 12,500 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points (11 Cross-type)
    • 3.0" 920k dot Fixed Screen
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Leica X Vario was announced in 2013 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) Advanced Compact camera with 16.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 12,500. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 920k dot resolution.

    Leica X Vario can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Leica X series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Leica X series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Leica X-U
    Compare
    		January
    2016    		 16.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Articulated 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X (Typ 113)
    Compare
    		September
    2014    		 16.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X Vario June
    2013    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X2
    Compare
    		May
    2012    		 16.1 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Fixed 2.70"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Leica X1
    Compare
    		December
    2009    		 12.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.70"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Leica X-U vs X vs X Vario vs X2 vs X1.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Leica X Vario.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output

    CONS

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   DxO Overall Score - 78
    •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Leica X Vario to its predecessor X2 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Leica X Vario vs Leica X2
    Video Capture vs
    Reaches Wider Angle 28 mm vs 36 mm mm
    Reachs More Telephoto 70 mm vs 36 mm
    Greater Optical Zoom 2.5x vs 1x
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.70"
    Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
    DOWNGRADES Leica X Vario vs Leica X2
    Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/3.5 vs f/2.8
    Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/6.4 vs f/2.8
    Heavier 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) vs 345 g (0.76 lb / 12.17 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Leica X Vario vs X2.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Leica X Vario has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 920k dot resolution.

    Camera does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

    Sensor

    Leica X Vario features a 16.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,500.

    Photography Features

    Camera can take pictures up to 4928 x 3272 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4944 x 3272, 4288 x 2856, 3264 x 2160, 2144 x1424, 1632 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    No Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have an image stabilization.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Leica X Vario.

    Leica X1
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.2 MP

    Leica X2
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.1 MP

    Leica X-U
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.2 MP

    Leica X (Typ 113)
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.2 MP

    Canon R100
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.1 MP

    Panasonic GX9
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    20.3 MP

    Canon A3000 IS
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    10 MP

    Sony a9 II
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    24.2 MP

    Samsung ST80
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.33-inch

    14.2 MP

    Panasonic FS42
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.5-inch

    10.1 MP

    Olympus TG-4
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    16 MP

    Canon SX160 IS
    Image cannot be found

    1/2.3-inch

    16 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Leica X Vario has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is an HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Leica X Vario comes with BP-DC8 battery pack with battery life of 450 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Leica X Vario's shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Flash

    Leica X Vario has a built-in flash and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Shoe Mount.

    Physical Parameters

    Leica X Vario has dimensions of 133 x 73 x 95 mm (5.24 x 2.87 x 3.74"). It weighs 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    133 mm (5.24")

    73 mm (2.87")

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    73 mm (2.87")

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    95 mm (3.74")

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    Leica X Vario dimensions

    Leica X Vario for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Leica X Vario is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    71

    Leica X Vario gets a score of 71 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    62

    Leica X Vario gets a score of 62 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots

    Wildlife Photography

    POOR
    53

    Leica X Vario gets a score of 53 and is POOR choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    79

    Leica X Vario gets a score of 79 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    77

    Leica X Vario gets a score of 77 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Leica X Vario gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots

    Leica X Vario Evaluation

    We evaluate Leica X Vario and give score of 58 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    58

    Sensor

    GOOD
    72

    We give Leica X Vario a score of 72 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.1 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 78

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    56

    We give Leica X Vario a score of 56 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

    Video

    BAD
    14

    We give Leica X Vario a score of 14 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    58

    We give Leica X Vario a score of 58 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    AVERAGE
    68

    We give Leica X Vario a score of 68 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 920k dot

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    60

    We give Leica X Vario a score of 60 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    42

    We give Leica X Vario a score of 42 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 680 g (1.50 lb / 23.99 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 450 shots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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