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Leica X2 vs Fujifilm X-A2

The Leica X2 and the Fujifilm X-A2 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in May 2012 and January 2015. The X2 is a fixed lens compact, while the X-A2 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Fujifilm provides 16 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Leica X2
versus
Fujifilm X-A2
Leica X2   Fujifilm X-A2
Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
36mm f/2.8 Fujifilm X mount lenses
16.1 MP – APS-C sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video 1080/30p Video
ISO 100-12,500 ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
Viewfinder optional No viewfinder, LCD framing
2.7" LCD – 230k dots 3.0" LCD – 920k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
5 shutter flaps per second 5.6 shutter flaps per second
450 shots per battery charge410 shots per battery charge
124 x 69 x 52 mm, 345 g 117 x 67 x 40 mm, 350 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica X2 and the Fujifilm X-A2? 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica X2 and the Fujifilm X-A2 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.

The X2 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the X-A2 is available in three color-versions (black, brown, white).

Size Leica X2 vs Fujifilm X-A2
Compare X2 versus X-A2 top
Comparison X2 or X-A2 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Fujifilm X-A2 is notably smaller (8 percent) than the Leica X2. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X2 nor the X-A2 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X2 has a lens built in, whereas the X-A2 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the X-A2 and their specifications in the Fujinon X Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the X2 gets 450 shots out of its Leica BP-DC8 battery, while the X-A2 can take 410 images on a single charge of its Fujifilm NP-W126 power pack.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
# image 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 1,995ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 350 g 410 n Jan 2015 399ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 339 g 410 n Aug 2016 399ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 331 g 410 n Dec 2016 399ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Jan 2016 699ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 799ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X100S 127 mm 74 mm 54 mm 445 g 330 n Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A1 117 mm 67 mm 39 mm 330 g 350 n Sep 2013 399ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Oct 2013 999ebay.com
10.
 
Leica TL 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 384 g 400 n Nov 2016 1,695ebay.com
11.
 
Leica T 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 384 g 400 n Apr 2014 1,850ebay.com
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113 133 mm 73 mm 78 mm 486 g 350 n Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
13.
 
Leica X Vario 133 mm 73 mm 95 mm 680 g 450 n Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X1 124 mm 60 mm 32 mm 306 g 260 n Sep 2009 1,995ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon Coolpix A 111 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 230 n Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
16.
 
Ricoh GR 117 mm 61 mm 35 mm 245 g 290 n Apr 2013 799ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. 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 tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the X-A2 is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica X2 and Fujifilm X-A2 sensor measures

With 16.1MP, the X2 offers a slightly higher resolution than the X-A2 (16MP), but the X2 has marginally smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.79μm versus 4.80μm for the X-A2). Moreover, the X-A2 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 8 months) than the X2, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The Leica X2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Fujifilm X-A2 are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

X2 versus X-A2 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image 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 3264none23.212.4127574
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.612.8151579
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.1166481
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.913.2169181
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.713.0160880
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
7.
 
Fujifilm X100S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.312.5132975
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.412.6139076
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.412.6140077
10.
 
Leica TL APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.913.2169081
11.
 
Leica T APS-C 16.2 4944 32781080/30p23.012.7108275
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.612.8149178
13.
 
Leica X Vario APS-C 16.1 4928 32721080/30p23.412.7132078
14.
 
Leica X1 APS-C 12.2 4272 2856none22.611.8103769
15.
 
Nikon Coolpix A APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.413.8116480
16.
 
Ricoh GR APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.613.597278
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The X-A2 indeed provides for movie recording, while the X2 does not. The highest resolution format that the X-A2 can use is 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The X2 and the X-A2 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. That said, the X2 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF 2. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica X2 and Fujifilm X-A2 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
# image 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 X2optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A2none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm X100S2360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A1none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E22360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
10.
 
Leica TLoptional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
11.
 
Leica Toptional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Leica X Variooptional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Leica X1none n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Nikon Coolpix Aoptional n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/2000s 4.0/s Y n
16.
 
Ricoh GRoptional n3.0 / 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.
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The X-A2 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the X2 does not have a selfie-screen.

The X2 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the X-A2 uses SDXC cards. The X-A2 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the X2 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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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 X2 and Fujifilm X-A2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica X2Y- / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2SYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X100SYstereo / mono--micro2.0---
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E2Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Leica TLYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Leica TYstereo / mono---2.0Y--
12.
 
Leica X Typ 113Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
13.
 
Leica X VarioYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Leica X1Y- / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Nikon Coolpix AYstereo / mono---2.0---
16.
 
Ricoh GRYmono / mono--micro2.0---
padding

It is notable that the X-A2 offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the X2 does not provide wifi capability.

Both the X2 and the X-A2 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The X-A2 was replaced by the Fujifilm X-A3, while the X2 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the X2 and X-A2 can be found, respectively, in the Leica X2 Manual (free pdf) or the online Fujifilm X-A2 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Leica X2 better than the Fujifilm X-A2 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Leica X2:

  • More framing options: Can be equipped with a hotshoe-mounted accessory-viewfinder.
  • Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the X-A2 requires a separate lens.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the X-A2).
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in May 2012).

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Advantages of the Fujifilm X-A2:

  • Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (920k vs 230k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5.6 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 8 months of technical progress since the X2 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the X-A2 is the clear winner of the contest (11 : 5 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.

X2 05:11 X-A2

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica X2 and the Fujifilm X-A2 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X2 or the X-A2. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica X23/5......3/54/5 May 2012 1,995ebay.com
2.
 
Fujifilm X-A24/5......4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 399ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A3......74/1004.5/54/5 Aug 2016 399ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-A10........4/54/5 Dec 2016 399ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S4.5/5....77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 699ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 799ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X100S5/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X-A1........4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2013 399ebay.com
9.
 
Fujifilm X-E24/5....80/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2013 999ebay.com
10.
 
Leica TL..........4/5 Nov 2016 1,695ebay.com
11.
 
Leica T3/5......4/54/5 Apr 2014 1,850ebay.com
12.
 
Leica X Typ 1133.5/5......3.5/54/5 Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
13.
 
Leica X Vario3/5......4/54/5 Jun 2013 2,850ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X13/5....+..4/5 Sep 2009 1,995ebay.com
15.
 
Nikon Coolpix A4/5+..75/1004/54/5 Mar 2013 1,099ebay.com
16.
 
Ricoh GR5/5....79/1004.5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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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 X2 vs Fujifilm X-A2

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica X2 Fujifilm X-A2
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens 36mm f/2.8 Fujifilm X mount lenses
    Launch Date May 2012 January 2015
    Launch Price USD 1,995 USD 399
    Sensor Specs Leica X2 Fujifilm X-A2
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.7 x 15.6 mm 23.6 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 369.72 mm2 368.16 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.4 mm 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 4896 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.79 μm 4.80 μm
    Pixel Density 4.35 MP/cm2 4.34 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video 1080/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12,500 ISO 200 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Screen Specs Leica X2 Fujifilm X-A2
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional no viewfinder
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.7inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots 920k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Leica X2 Fujifilm X-A2
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/2000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 5.6 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDHC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Leica X2 Fujifilm X-A2
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi Wifi built-in
    Body Specs Leica X2 Fujifilm X-A2
    Battery Type Leica BP-DC8 Fujifilm NP-W126
    Battery Life (CIPA)450 shots per charge410 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 124 x 69 x 52 mm
    (4.9 x 2.7 x 2.0 in)
    117 x 67 x 40 mm
    (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 in)
    Camera Weight 345 g (12.2 oz) 350 g (12.3 oz)
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