Leica X2 vs Nikon 1 J5

The Leica X2 and the Nikon 1 J5 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in May 2012 and April 2015. The X2 is a fixed lens compact, while the J5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (X2) and an one-inch (J5) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 20.7 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Leica X2		Nikon 1 J5
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
36mm f/2.8		Nikon 1 mount lenses
16.1 MP, APS-C Sensor		20.7 MP, 1" Sensor
no Video		4K/15p Video
ISO 100-12500		ISO 160-12800
Viewfinder optional		No viewfinder, LCD framing
2.7" LCD, 230k dots		3.0" LCD, 1037k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second		60 shutter flaps per second
450 shots per battery charge		250 shots per battery charge
124 x 69 x 52 mm, 345 g		98 x 60 x 32 mm, 231 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica X2 and the Nikon 1 J5? 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

The physical size and weight of the Leica X2 and the Nikon 1 J5 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The X2 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the J5 is available in three color-versions (black, silver, white).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon 1 J5 is considerably smaller (31 percent) than the Leica X2. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the X2 nor the J5 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 J5 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Leica X2»	4.9 in	2.7 in	2.0 in	12.2 oz	450	n	May 2012	1,995	-		Leica X2
	Nikon 1 J5«	3.9 in	2.4 in	1.3 in	8.1 oz	250	n	Apr 2015	399	-		Nikon 1 J5
	Canon G9 X« »	3.9 in	2.3 in	1.2 in	7.4 oz	220	n	Oct 2015	529	-		Canon G9 X
	Fujifilm X100S« »	5.0 in	2.9 in	2.1 in	15.7 oz	330	n	Jan 2013	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100S
	Fujifilm X-A1« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.5 in	11.6 oz	350	n	Sep 2013	399	-		Fujifilm X-A1
	Fujifilm X-E2« »	5.1 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	12.3 oz	350	n	Oct 2013	999	-		Fujifilm X-E2
	Leica TL« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	13.5 oz	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695	-		Leica TL
	Leica T« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	13.5 oz	400	n	Apr 2014	1,850	-		Leica T
	Leica X Typ 113« »	5.2 in	2.9 in	3.1 in	17.1 oz	350	n	Sep 2014	2,295			Leica X Typ 113
	Leica X Vario« »	5.2 in	2.9 in	3.7 in	24.0 oz	450	n	Jun 2013	2,850			Leica X Vario
	Leica X1« »	4.9 in	2.4 in	1.3 in	10.8 oz	260	n	Sep 2009	1,995	-		Leica X1
	Nikon 1 V3« »	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.3 in	13.4 oz	310	n	Mar 2014	799	-		Nikon 1 V3
	Nikon 1 J4« »	3.9 in	2.4 in	1.1 in	8.2 oz	300	n	Apr 2014	549	-		Nikon 1 J4
	Nikon Coolpix A« »	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	230	n	Mar 2013	1,099	-		Nikon Coolpix A
	Ricoh GR« »	4.6 in	2.4 in	1.4 in	8.6 oz	290	n	Apr 2013	799	-		Ricoh GR
	Sony RX100 IV« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	280	n	Jun 2015	999	-		Sony RX100 IV
	Sony A5000« »	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.4 in	9.5 oz	420	n	Jan 2014	449	-		Sony A5000
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to 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 X2 features an APS-C sensor and the Nikon 1 J5 an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the J5 is 69 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the J5 offers a higher resolution of 20.7 megapixels, compared with 16.1 MP of the X2. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.37μm versus 4.79μm for the X2). However, it should be noted that the J5 is much more recent (by 2 years and 10 months) than the X2, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the J5 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon 1 J5 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the J5 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.8 x 18.6 inch or 70.7 x 47.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 22.3 x 14.8 inch or 56.6 x 37.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.6 x 12.4 inch or 47.1 x 31.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica X2 are 24.6 x 16.3 inch or 62.6 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.7 x 13.1 inch or 50.1 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inch or 41.7 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The J5 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Leica X2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon 1 J5 are ISO 160 to ISO 12800 (no boost).

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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The J5 indeed provides for movie recording, while the X2 does not. The highest resolution format that the J5 can use is 4K/15p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The X2 and the J5 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 Nikon 1 J5 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The J5 has a touchscreen, while the X2 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

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 J5 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 Nikon 1 J5 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 X2 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the J5 uses SDXC cards. The J5 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.

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 Nikon 1 J5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the X2 has a hotshoe, while the J5 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the X2 and the J5 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Leica and Nikon. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica X2 and the Nikon 1 J5? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Leica X2:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• More framing options: Can be equipped with a hotshoe-mounted accessory-viewfinder.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the J5 requires a separate lens.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (450 versus 250) on a single battery charge.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• 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).

Advantages of the Nikon 1 J5:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20.7 vs 16.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 13%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/15p video.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• 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 (1037k vs 230k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• 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 (60 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• 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: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• More compact: Is smaller (98x60mm vs 124x69mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 10 months of technical progress since the X2 launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the J5 is the clear winner of the contest (19 : 11 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro 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 X2 and the Nikon 1 J5 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 comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the X2 or the J5. 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 why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Leica X2»	-	-	3/5	-	4/5	May 2012	1,995	-		Leica X2
	Nikon 1 J5«	-	-	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Apr 2015	399	-		Nikon 1 J5
	Canon G9 X« »	+ +	-	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	529	-		Canon G9 X
	Fujifilm X100S« »	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	5/5	Jan 2013	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100S
	Fujifilm X-A1« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Sep 2013	399	-		Fujifilm X-A1
	Fujifilm X-E2« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	-	5/5	Oct 2013	999	-		Fujifilm X-E2
	Leica TL« »	-	-	-	-	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695	-		Leica TL
	Leica T« »	-	-	4/5	-	4/5	Apr 2014	1,850	-		Leica T
	Leica X Typ 113« »	-	-	3.5/5	-	4/5	Sep 2014	2,295			Leica X Typ 113
	Leica X Vario« »	-	-	4/5	4/5	4/5	Jun 2013	2,850			Leica X Vario
	Leica X1« »	-	+	-	-	4/5	Sep 2009	1,995	-		Leica X1
	Nikon 1 V3« »	-	76/100	4.5/5	3/5	4/5	Mar 2014	799	-		Nikon 1 V3
	Nikon 1 J4« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4/5	Apr 2014	549	-		Nikon 1 J4
	Nikon Coolpix A« »	+	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2013	1,099	-		Nikon Coolpix A
	Ricoh GR« »	-	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2013	799	-		Ricoh GR
	Sony RX100 IV« »	+ +	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	999	-		Sony RX100 IV
	Sony A5000« »	+	-	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Jan 2014	449	-		Sony A5000
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (-) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Leica X2 vs Nikon 1 J5

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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