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Leica X Vario

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  1. User ratingsUser ratingsratings of product added by Productz users
  2. Expert ratingsExpert ratingsexperts ratings from editorial reviews
  3. Consumer ratingsConsumer ratingsratings from the biggest online stores worldwide
Legend
  1. Excellent
  2. Good
  3. Poor
  4. Average
4.0
based on all reviews
User ratings:
41
3.9 out of 5
41 user ratings
5 stars
26 %
4 stars
41 %
3 stars
26 %
2 stars
4 %
1 stars
0 %
Consumer ratings:
4.6 / 5
Editorial reviews:
18
  1. See more
3.5 out of 5
6 user ratings
5 stars
0 %
4 stars
50 %
3 stars
50 %
2 stars
0 %
1 stars
0 %
Read editorial reviews

Pros

  • simple
  • no-nonsense and likable way of working
  • Very good still image quality with accurate and realistic colors

Cons

  • quite so slow at the telephoto end
  • High barrel distortion at wide angle
  • The internal flash is rather puny

Key specs

  • CMOS
  • APS-C
  • 23.6x15.8 mm
  • 16 Mpx
  • 4928, 3272 px
  • 3.5
  • Contrast Detection Auto Focus
  • 3.0 in

Compare technical data of the product to its category

Leica

Leica X Vario - Pros & Cons

Leica X Vario

Pros

  • simple
  • no-nonsense and likable way of working
  • Very good still image quality with accurate and realistic colors
  • Fairly speedy and accurate autofocusing
  • grain pattern still demonstrates fine detail in the mosaic
  • the controls are commendably straightforward
  • high performance level was maintained at the closest focusing distances
  • Leica does better with the pink fabric
  • Very good to excellent sharpness in the corners
  • nice detail and exceptional color accuracy
  • a beautifully made camera and feels really nice in your hand

Cons

  • quite so slow at the telephoto end
  • High barrel distortion at wide angle
  • The internal flash is rather puny
  • Vario's lens is permanently attached to the camera body
  • Chromatic aberration in the corners is low at wide angle
  • the weather was really poor
  • actual shutter lag which is very short
  • Slow Sync
  • Slow Sync/Red eye
  • compact flash card)
  • some noise appearing at ISO 1600

Leica X Vario - Technical Overview

PoorAverageGoodExcellent
IconScreen size
3 in
Best:
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710
Screen size: 6.7 in
IconISO maximum
12500
Best:
Pentax KP
ISO maximum: 819200
IconEffective pixels
16 Mpx
Best:
Hasselblad H6D-100c
Effective pixels: 100 Mpx
IconMax resolution
4928 x 3272 px
Best:
Leica M11
Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px

Leica - Video Reviews (9)

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Leica X Vario - Full Specifications

Icon
Sensor
Sensor typeCMOS
Image sensor formatAPS-C
Sensor size0.93 in
Sensor photo detectors17.0 Mpx
Effective pixels16.0 Mpx
Image ratio w:h3:2
Max resolution4928 x 3272 px
Other resolutions
  • 4944x3272
  • 4288x2856
  • 3264x2160
  • 2144x1424
  • 1632x1080
Icon
Optics and focus
Optical zoom3.0 x
Minimum aperture3.5
Maximum aperture3.5
Focal length equiv28 - 70
Focus adjustmentAuto
AutofocusContrast Detection Auto Focus
Manual focusyes
Normal focus range11.81 in
Number of focus points11
Icon
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed30.0 s
Maximum shutter speed1.0 s
Shutter priorityyes
Aperture priorityyes
Manual exposure modeyes
Exposure compensation plus3
Exposure compensation minus-3
Expousure compensation steps1/3
AE EV steps1/3
Self-timer delay
  • 2
  • 12
AE frames3
Built-in flashyes
Flash modes
  • Auto
  • Forced OFF
  • Forced ON
  • Redeye Reduction
  • Slow Sync
External flashyes
Continuous drive5.0 fps
Self-timeryes
Metering modes
  • Multi
  • Center-weighted
  • Spot
Self-timer options
  • 2
  • 12
Icon
Audio features
Built-in microphoneyes
Microphone typeStereo
Speaker typeMono
Voice recordingyes
Icon
Dimensions
Weight22.15 oz
Width5.24 in
Height3.74 in
Depth2.87 in
Icon
Power
Power source typeBattery
Battery life (CIPA)350
Battery technology
Lithium-Ion
Battery capacity1600.0 mAh
Battery voltage3.7 V
AC adapter includedyes
Icon
Other features
GPSno
Energy Star certifiedno
Tripod mounting supportedyes
Icon
Image
ISO
  • 100
  • 200
  • 400
  • 800
  • 1600
  • 3200
  • 6400
  • Auto
ISO Autoyes
ISO minimum100
ISO maximum12500
Maximum image resolution4928 x 3274 px
White balance presets5
White balance modes
  • Auto
  • Cloudy
  • Custom modes
  • Daylight
  • Flash
  • Halogen
  • Shade
Custom white balanceyes
Supported image file formats
  • DNG
  • JPG
Image stabilizeryes
Image stabilization typeNo
Supported aspect ratios3:2
Uncompressed formatRAW
Icon
Screen and viewfinder
Screen size3.0 in
Articulated LCDno
Screen technologyLCD
Screen dots920000
Live viewno
Viewfinder
Electronic
Icon
Videography features
Maximum resolution1920 x 1080 px
Video recordingyes
Recording resolutions
  • 1280 x 720
  • 1920 x 1080
HD typeFull HD
Supported video file formatsMP4
Analog signal format system
  • NTSC
  • PAL
Motion JPEG frame rate30.0 fps
Icon
Design
Body typeMILC
Colour of productBlack
Icon
Storage
Compatible memory cards
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Memory slots1
Storage types
  • SD
  • SDHC
  • SDXC
Icon
Connectivity
HDMIyes
HDMI ports quantity1
HDMI connector typeMini
USB version2.0

Leica X Vario - Q&A

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Leica X Vario Leica - Editorial Reviews (18)

3.5
Based on 18 reviews
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Leica X Vario Leica X Vario - Luminous Landscape
Luminous Landscape logo
Luminous Landscape
Published: 02.07.2013
Leica X Vario - Luminous Landscape

Last week I was given a chance to shoot some sample images on the newX Variocamera so that I could make some comments at a product launch in Melbourne. Unfortunately the weather was really poor, Melbourne in the winter can be a lot like the UK where I come from originally. The days were gloomy [Read More]

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario sensor review: Formidable low-light performance
DXOMARK logo
DXOMARK
Published: 27.02.2014
Leica X Vario sensor review: Formidable low-light performance

Leica’s latest addition to the range of APS-C X cameras adopts a 16-Mpix sensor and useful 28-70mm equivalent Vario-Elmar zoom. Read on to find out how well it performs.

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario (Typ 107) Review
ePHOTOzine logo
ePHOTOzine
Leica X Vario (Typ 107) Review
4.0

We test the premium Leica X Vario - the only compact camera with an APS-C sensor and a zoom lens.

Leica X Vario Hands on: Leica X Vario review
TechRadar logo
TechRadar
Published: 11.06.2013
Hands on: Leica X Vario review

We get our hands on Leica's new compact camera

Leica X Vario The 2013 Leica X Vario (Typ 107) review
Ming Thein | Photographer logo
Ming Thein | Photographer
Published: 29.06.2013
The 2013 Leica X Vario (Typ 107) review

When the Leica X Vario (Typ 107) was first announced about a month ago, I honestly didn’t quite know what to make of it – though it seemed like a logical evolution of the X line, and a …

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario Review | Camera Decision
Camera Decision logo
Camera Decision
Published: 11.06.2013
Leica X Vario Review | Camera Decision
2.8

Leica X Vario is a 16.0MP Large Sensor Compact camera with a APS-C sized CMOS sensor and 28-70 mm F3.5-6.4 lens. Read our X Vario review to find its pros and cons.

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario (Typ 107) Review: Looking Beyond the Specs | Red Dot Forum
Red Dot Forum logo
Red Dot Forum
Published: 07.07.2013
Leica X Vario (Typ 107) Review: Looking Beyond the Specs | Red Dot Forum

Leading up to the launch of the new X Vario, Leica rolled out a teaser campaign for what they were calling a “Mini M.” The campaign was quite effective at building up anticipation for this new camera. So much so that expectations, mine included, got a little out of hand. And when the camera finally was officially announced on June 11, many seemed disappointed or even angry that the “Mini M” appeared to be essentially an X2 with a zoom lens. Even though I think that an X Zoom makes the most sense relative to Leica’s current product portfolio, initially, I also felt let down by the seemingly lackluster specs, especially the slow maximum aperture of the lens. I usually get pretty excited over new releases from Leica, but this one left me wanting as I finished reading through the technical details. I thought that this camera could have been so much more, should have been so much more.

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario Review
Imaging Resource logo
Imaging Resource
Published: 11.06.2013
Leica X Vario Review
4.0

Leica X Vario Review: See why it's the luxury compact zoom for those willing to pay a premium for form, function and great images

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario Camera: APS-C Compact Isn't Cheap, But It Is a Real Leica
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Technabob
Published: 19.06.2013
Leica X Vario Camera: APS-C Compact Isn't Cheap, But It Is a Real Leica

I love good digital cameras, and you definitely get a lot of value for what you pay for, since mine has lasted me about 7 years. That being said, it's no

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario Review | Photography Blog
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photographyblog.com
Published: 16.04.2014
Leica X Vario Review | Photography Blog
4.0

The Leica X Vario is a compact camera for professionals, featuring a 16 megapixel APS-C sensor, 28-70mm zoom lens, 1080p movie recording and the usual superlative Leica handling and build quality. Read our in-depth Leica X Vario review to find out if it's really worth the £2150 / $2850 asking price...

Leica X Vario The Leica X Vario Camera Review | Steve Huff Photo
Steve Huff Photo | Real World Camera and Lens Reviews logo
Steve Huff Photo | Real World Camera and Lens Reviews
The Leica X Vario Camera Review | Steve Huff Photo

My full user real world review of the Leica X Vario digital camera with loads if image samples including full size as well as my thoughts after using it for 2 weeks.

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario review
www.exposedmoment.com logo
www.exposedmoment.com
Leica X Vario review

Introduction Few years ago I switched from DSLR to mirrorless as my main travel cameras (initially Olympus E-P1), and I never loo...

Leica X Vario Leica Vario X: Surprisingly slow lens, unsurprisingly expensive compact
CNET logo
CNET
Published: 11.06.2013
Leica Vario X: Surprisingly slow lens, unsurprisingly expensive compact

The expensive Vario X camera does have a zoom lens, but it's a surprisingly slow lens.

Leica X Vario Review: Leica X Vario (Typ 107) - The Phoblographer
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The Phoblographer
Published: 02.10.2013
Review: Leica X Vario (Typ 107) - The Phoblographer

The Leica X Vario is the first fixed-lens APS-C compact to sport a zoom lens. In this review, we put it through its paces to see how it holds up in actual use.

Leica X Vario Leica X Vario sensor review: Formidable low-light performance
DXOMARK logo
DXOMARK
Published: 27.02.2014
Leica X Vario sensor review: Formidable low-light performance

Leica’s latest addition to the range of APS-C X cameras adopts a 16-Mpix sensor and useful 28-70mm equivalent Vario-Elmar zoom. Read on to find out how well it performs.

Often compared with Leica X Vario