Leica CL vs Sony HX400V

The Leica CL (Typ 7323) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in November 2017 and February 2014. The CL is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the HX400V is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (CL) and a 1/2.3-inch (HX400V) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 20.2 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Leica CL		Sony HX400V
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Leica T mount lenses		24-1200mm f/2.8-6.3
24.1 MP, APS-C Sensor		20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
4K/30p Video		1080/60p Video
ISO 100-50,000		ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 12,800)
Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (210k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Tilting screen (not touch-sensitive)
10 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
220 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
131 x 78 x 45 mm, 403 g		130 x 93 x 103 mm, 660 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica CL (Typ 7323) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica CL and the Sony HX400V is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony HX400V is notably larger (18 percent) than the Leica CL. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the CL nor the HX400V are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the HX400V has a lens built in, whereas the CL is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

Concerning battery life, the CL gets 220 shots out of its BP-DC12 battery, while the HX400V can take 300 images on a single charge of its NP-BX1 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)		Street Price
1.		Leica CL	131 mm	78 mm	45 mm	403 g	220	n	Nov 2017	2,795
2.		Sony HX400V	130 mm	93 mm	103 mm	660 g	300	n	Feb 2014	499
3.		Canon 2000D	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon M50	116 mm	88 mm	59 mm	390 g	235	n	Feb 2018	779
5.		Canon 200D	122 mm	93 mm	70 mm	453 g	650	n	Jun 2017	549
6.		Canon M6	112 mm	68 mm	45 mm	390 g	295	n	Feb 2017	779
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	117 mm	68 mm	40 mm	361 g	450	n	Jan 2018	399
8.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299
9.		Fujifilm X-E3	121 mm	74 mm	43 mm	337 g	350	n	Sep 2017	899
10.		Leica C-LUX	113 mm	67 mm	46 mm	340 g	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049
11.		Leica TL2	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	399 g	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950
12.		Leica TL	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695
13.		Sony HX350	130 mm	93 mm	103 mm	652 g	300	n	Dec 2016	449
14.		Sony RX100 IV	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	298 g	280	n	Jun 2015	999
15.		Sony HX90V	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	245 g	360	n	Apr 2015	429
16.		Sony H400	130 mm	95 mm	122 mm	628 g	300	n	Feb 2014	319
17.		Sony H300	128 mm	89 mm	92 mm	590 g	350	n	Feb 2014	219
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The HX400V was launched at a lower price than the CL, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica CL features an APS-C sensor and the Sony HX400V a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the HX400V is 92 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 5.6. The sensor in the CL has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the HX400V offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 24.1MP, the CL offers a higher resolution than the HX400V (20.2MP), but the CL nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 1.18μm for the HX400V) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the CL is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 9 months) than the HX400V, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica CL implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the CL for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.1 x 20.1 inches or 76.4 x 51 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.1 x 16.1 inches or 61.1 x 40.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.4 inches or 50.9 x 34 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony HX400V are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica CL (Typ 7323) has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V are ISO 80 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-12800.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports		DXO Overall
1.		Leica CL	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
2.		Sony HX400V	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
3.		Canon 2000D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	11.9	1009		71
4.		Canon M50	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/24p	..	..	..		..
5.		Canon 200D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.4	1041		79
6.		Canon M6	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/15p	..	..	..		..
8.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
9.		Fujifilm X-E3	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
10.		Leica C-LUX	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
11.		Leica TL2	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..		..
12.		Leica TL	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..		..
13.		Sony HX350	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
14.		Sony RX100 IV	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.8	12.6	591		70
15.		Sony HX90V	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	1080/60p	..	..	..		..
16.		Sony H400	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	..	..	..		..
17.		Sony H300	1/2.3	19.9	5152	3864	720/30p	..	..	..		..

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the CL provides a higher video resolution than the HX400V. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Sony is limited to 1080/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the CL offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the HX400V (2360k vs 210k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica CL and Sony HX400V in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Leica CL	2360	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
2.		Sony HX400V	210	n	3.0	921	tilting	n	1/4000s	10.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon 2000D	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
4.		Canon M50	2360	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	Y	n
5.		Canon 200D	optical	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
6.		Canon M6	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	9.0	Y	n
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
8.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
9.		Fujifilm X-E3	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0	n	n
10.		Leica C-LUX	2330	n	3.0	1240	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
11.		Leica TL2	optional	n	3.7	1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	7.0	n	n
12.		Leica TL	optional	n	3.7	1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
13.		Sony HX350	202	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/4000s	10.0	Y	Y
14.		Sony RX100 IV	2359	n	3.0	1228	tilting	n	1/2000s	16.0	Y	Y
15.		Sony HX90V	638	n	3.0	921	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony H400	210	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/2000s	0.7	Y	Y
17.		Sony H300	none	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/1500s	0.8	Y	Y

One feature that is present on the CL, but is missing on the HX400V is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the CL is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica CL has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The CL writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the HX400V uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The CL supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the HX400V cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica CL (Typ 7323) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica CL	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
2.		Sony HX400V	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
3.		Canon 2000D	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon M50	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Canon 200D	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
6.		Canon M6	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
9.		Fujifilm X-E3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
10.		Leica C-LUX	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Leica TL2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
12.		Leica TL	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
13.		Sony HX350	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Sony RX100 IV	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Sony HX90V	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony H400	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
17.		Sony H300	-	mono	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the HX400V has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the CL and the HX400V are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Leica and Sony. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Leica CL or the Sony HX400V – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Leica CL (Typ 7323):

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24.1 vs 20.2MP) with a 12% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2360k vs 210k dots).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 921k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• More compact: Is smaller (131x78mm vs 130x93mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 9 months of technical progress since the HX400V launch.

Advantages of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V:

• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the CL necessitates an extra lens.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (300 versus 220) out of a single battery charge.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in February 2014).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the CL is the clear winner of the match-up (18 : 9 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica CL and the Sony HX400V place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the CL and the HX400V in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)			Street Price
1.		Leica CL	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2017	2,795
2.		Sony HX400V	4/5	+ +	..	4/5	4/5	Feb 2014	499
3.		Canon 2000D	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon M50	..	+	79/100	..	3.5/5	Feb 2018	779
5.		Canon 200D	4/5	+ +	78/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2017	549
6.		Canon M6	..	..	80/100	4/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779
7.		Fujifilm X-A5	..	+	..	4/5	3.5/5	Jan 2018	399
8.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299
9.		Fujifilm X-E3	4.5/5	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899
10.		Leica C-LUX	..	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2018	1,049
11.		Leica TL2	3.5/5	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950
12.		Leica TL	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695
13.		Sony HX350	..	..	..	..	4/5	Dec 2016	449
14.		Sony RX100 IV	4.5/5	+ +	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	999
15.		Sony HX90V	4/5	+ +	..	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2015	429
16.		Sony H400	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2014	319
17.		Sony H300	..	+	..	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2014	219
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Leica CL vs Sony HX400V

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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