Leica X2 Comparison Review

The Leica X2 is a fixed lens compact camera that was announced in May 2012 and is equipped with an APS-C sensor. It offers a resolution of 16.1 megapixel.

Is the Leica X2 a good camera? The X2 has a Camera Elo of 1390. This rating puts the X2 below average of all prime lens compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (APS cameras), the X2 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Leica X2 is more than 11 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2012.

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Leica X2 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Leica X2 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible 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 X2	124 mm	69 mm	52 mm	345 g	450	n	May 2012	1,995	ebay.com
2.		Fujifilm X-A1	117 mm	67 mm	39 mm	330 g	350	n	Sep 2013	399	ebay.com
3.		Fujifilm X-E2	129 mm	75 mm	37 mm	350 g	350	n	Oct 2013	999	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X100S	127 mm	74 mm	54 mm	445 g	330	n	Jan 2013	1,299	ebay.com
5.		Leica T	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Apr 2014	1,850	ebay.com
6.		Leica TL	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695	ebay.com
7.		Leica X1	124 mm	60 mm	32 mm	306 g	260	n	Sep 2009	1,995	ebay.com
8.		Leica X Vario	133 mm	73 mm	95 mm	680 g	450	n	Jun 2013	2,850	ebay.com
9.		Leica X Typ 113	133 mm	73 mm	78 mm	486 g	350	n	Sep 2014	2,295	ebay.com
10.		Nikon Coolpix A	111 mm	64 mm	40 mm	299 g	230	n	Mar 2013	1,099	ebay.com
11.		Ricoh GR	117 mm	61 mm	35 mm	245 g	290	n	Apr 2013	799	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Leica X2 was launched in the US market at a price of $1,995. 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.

Check X2 offers at
ebay.com

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Leica X2 features an APS-C sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Leica X2 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of alternative cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica X2	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	none	23.2	12.4	1275	74
2.		Fujifilm X-A1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	23.4	12.6	1390	76
3.		Fujifilm X-E2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	23.4	12.6	1400	77
4.		Fujifilm X100S	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	23.3	12.5	1329	75
5.		Leica T	APS-C	16.2	4944	3278	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	1082	75
6.		Leica TL	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.9	13.2	1690	81
7.		Leica X1	APS-C	12.2	4272	2856	none	22.6	11.8	1037	69
8.		Leica X Vario	APS-C	16.1	4928	3272	1080/30p	23.4	12.7	1320	78
9.		Leica X Typ 113	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.6	12.8	1491	78
10.		Nikon Coolpix A	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.4	13.8	1164	80
11.		Ricoh GR	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.6	13.5	972	78
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the X2 does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The tables below summarize some of the other core capabilities of the Leica X2 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 Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Leica X2	optional	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
2.		Fujifilm X-A1	none	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6/s	Y	n
3.		Fujifilm X-E2	2360	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0/s	Y	n
4.		Fujifilm X100S	2360	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0/s	Y	n
5.		Leica T	optional	n	3.7 / 1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
6.		Leica TL	optional	n	3.7 / 1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
7.		Leica X1	none	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	3.0/s	Y	n
8.		Leica X Vario	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
9.		Leica X Typ 113	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	n
10.		Nikon Coolpix A	optional	n	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/2000s	4.0/s	Y	n
11.		Ricoh GR	optional	n	3.0 / 1230	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One convenient feature of the X2 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

Connection 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 X2 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 Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica X2	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Fujifilm X-A1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Fujifilm X-E2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
4.		Fujifilm X100S	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Leica T	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	-	-
6.		Leica TL	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
7.		Leica X1	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Leica X Vario	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Leica X Typ 113	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon Coolpix A	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Ricoh GR	Y	mono / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-

The X2 has a prime lens built in (24mm f/2.8), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length of 36mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic of similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the X2 can be found in the free online Leica X2 Manual or on the Leica support site.

Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X2. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

Review Scores

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica X2	3/5	..	..	..	3/5	4/5	May 2012	1,995	ebay.com
2.		Fujifilm X-A1	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2013	399	ebay.com
3.		Fujifilm X-E2	4/5	..	..	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	999	ebay.com
4.		Fujifilm X100S	5/5	+ +	..	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2013	1,299	ebay.com
5.		Leica T	3/5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2014	1,850	ebay.com
6.		Leica TL	..	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695	ebay.com
7.		Leica X1	3/5	..	..	+	..	4/5	Sep 2009	1,995	ebay.com
8.		Leica X Vario	3/5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jun 2013	2,850	ebay.com
9.		Leica X Typ 113	3.5/5	..	..	..	3.5/5	4/5	Sep 2014	2,295	ebay.com
10.		Nikon Coolpix A	4/5	+	..	75/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2013	1,099	ebay.com
11.		Ricoh GR	5/5	..	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	799	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. 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.

Check X2 offers at
ebay.com

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An 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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