Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II and the Leica C-LUX are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2015 and June 2018. Both the RX10 II and the C-LUX are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with an one-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications

Sony RX10 II		Leica C-LUX
Fixed lens compact camera		Fixed lens compact camera
24-200mm f/2.8		24-360mm f/3.3-6.4
20 MP, 1" Sensor		20 MP, 1" Sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-12800 (64-25600)		ISO 125-12800 (80-25600)
Electronic viewfinder (2359k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2330k dots)
3.0" LCD, 1229k dots		3.0" LCD, 1240k dots
Tilting screen (no touchscreen)		Fixed touchscreen
14 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Not weather sealed
400 shots per battery charge		370 shots per battery charge
129 x 88 x 102 mm, 813 g		113 x 67 x 46 mm, 340 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II and the Leica C-LUX? 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: Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

The physical size and weight of the Sony RX10 II and the Leica C-LUX 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 size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The C-LUX can be obtained in two different colors (gold, blue), while the RX10 II is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica C-LUX is considerably smaller (33 percent) than the Sony RX10 II. Moreover, the C-LUX is substantially lighter (58 percent) than the RX10 II. It is worth mentioning in this context that the RX10 II is splash and dust resistant, while the C-LUX does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

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, just click on the right or left arrow next to the camera that you would like to inspect. Alternatively, you can also use the CAM-parator to select your camera combination among a larger number of options.

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
	Sony RX10 II»	5.1 in	3.5 in	4.0 in	28.7 oz	400	Y	Jun 2015	1,299	-		Sony RX10 II
	Leica C-LUX«	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.8 in	12.0 oz	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Canon 80D« »	5.5 in	4.1 in	3.1 in	25.8 oz	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon G3 X« »	4.8 in	3.0 in	4.1 in	25.9 oz	300	Y	Jun 2015	999			Canon G3 X
	Leica D-LUX 7« »	4.5 in	2.6 in	2.6 in	13.8 oz	300	n	Nov 2018	1,195			Leica D-LUX 7
	Leica V-LUX Typ 114« »	5.4 in	3.9 in	5.2 in	29.3 oz	360	n	Sep 2014	1,349			Leica V-LUX Typ 114
	Panasonic FZ2500« »	5.4 in	4.0 in	5.3 in	32.3 oz	350	n	Sep 2016	1,199			Panasonic FZ2500
	Panasonic FZ1000« »	5.4 in	3.9 in	5.2 in	29.3 oz	360	n	Jun 2014	899	-		Panasonic FZ1000
	Sony RX100 VI« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.7 in	10.6 oz	240	n	Jun 2018	1,199			Sony RX100 VI
	Sony RX10 III« »	5.2 in	3.7 in	5.0 in	37.1 oz	420	Y	Mar 2016	1,499			Sony RX10 III
	Sony RX100 V« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	220	n	Oct 2016	999			Sony RX100 V
	Sony RX100 IV« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	280	n	Jun 2015	999	-		Sony RX100 IV
	Sony RX100 III« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.2 oz	320	n	May 2014	799	-		Sony RX100 III
	Sony RX10« »	5.1 in	3.5 in	4.0 in	28.7 oz	420	Y	Oct 2013	1,299	-		Sony RX10
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The C-LUX was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 19 percent) than the RX10 II, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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: Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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. 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 one-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 20 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the RX10 II and the C-LUX have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the C-LUX is much more recent (by 3 years) than the RX10 II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 64-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica C-LUX are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison: Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

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 RX10 II offers a slightly higher resolution than the one in the C-LUX (2359k vs 2330k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Sony RX10 II and Leica C-LUX in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

One feature that is present on the RX10 II, but is missing on the C-LUX 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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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 C-LUX 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.

Both the RX10 II and the C-LUX have zoom lenses built in. The RX10 II has a 24-200mm f/2.8-2.8 optic and the C-LUX offers a 24-360mm f/3.3-6.4 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Sony and Leica provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the Leica has more tele-photo reach at the long end. The RX10 II offers the faster maximum aperture.

The RX10 II writes its imaging data to SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards, while the C-LUX uses SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

Connectivity comparison: Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

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 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II and Leica C-LUX and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the RX10 II has a hotshoe, while the C-LUX does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

The C-LUX is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Leica. In contrast, the RX10 II has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the RX10 II was succeeded by the Sony RX10 III. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Sony and Leica websites.

Review summary: Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

So how do things add up? Is the Sony RX10 II better than the Leica C-LUX or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II:

• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.53x).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/3200s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.3).
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in June 2015).

Advantages of the Leica C-LUX:

• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• More compact: Is smaller (113x67mm vs 129x88mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 473g or 58 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (19 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 3 years of technical progress since the RX10 II launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the RX10 II is the clear winner of the match-up (12 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape 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 Sony RX10 II and the Leica C-LUX place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Superzoom 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 incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the RX10 II or the C-LUX perform in practice. 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: Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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
	Sony RX10 II»	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	1,299	-		Sony RX10 II
	Leica C-LUX«	-	-	4.5/5	-	4/5	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Canon 80D« »	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon G3 X« »	+	-	4.5/5	3.5/5	4/5	Jun 2015	999			Canon G3 X
	Leica D-LUX 7« »	-	-	-	-	4.5/5	Nov 2018	1,195			Leica D-LUX 7
	Leica V-LUX Typ 114« »	-	-	-	-	5/5	Sep 2014	1,349			Leica V-LUX Typ 114
	Panasonic FZ2500« »	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2016	1,199			Panasonic FZ2500
	Panasonic FZ1000« »	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2014	899	-		Panasonic FZ1000
	Sony RX100 VI« »	+ +	83/100	4/5	-	4.5/5	Jun 2018	1,199			Sony RX100 VI
	Sony RX10 III« »	+	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2016	1,499			Sony RX10 III
	Sony RX100 V« »	+ +	83/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	999			Sony RX100 V
	Sony RX100 IV« »	+ +	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	999	-		Sony RX100 IV
	Sony RX100 III« »	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	May 2014	799	-		Sony RX100 III
	Sony RX10« »	+	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	1,299	-		Sony RX10
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (-) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted 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 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. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Sony RX10 II vs Leica C-LUX

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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