erlingmm Posted July 13, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 13, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Let's say you are primarily interested in the Leica T with the standard zoom. The Leica X Vario would then be approximately half the price, with a similar functionality, and the same sensor. Has anyone compared these 2 set-ups in terms of IQ and usability? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 13, 2014 Posted July 13, 2014 Hi erlingmm, Take a look here Comparison Leica T/X Vario?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jlindstrom Posted July 13, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 13, 2014 Don't know about the image quality.. but rumors say it's the same sensor and X Vario's lens has been rated amongts the best. So I wouldn't expect anything significant there. But the cameras have a totally different philosophy between them. I would say they're aimed at different crowd. The X Vario is for the traditionalist and T for the iPhone crowd. Feel free to make your pick :-) //Juha Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotograph Posted July 13, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 13, 2014 Leica T ist just a "modern" Vario and you can put M Lens on it.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 13, 2014 Share #4 Posted July 13, 2014 Handling and image quality on both are superb. I had both at the same time for a while, and would call it a tie regarding zoom image quality. The X Vario is analog, but is versatile and handles wonderfully. You have very easy access to all the essential settings through direct knobs and buttons. It's also nice having a focus scale on the lens, if zone focusing is your cup of tea. The T's touch screen is equally nice. Not really better, but different. It's very good for changing settings, but less so for image playback. That's my opinion, anyway. The T focuses slightly faster I think. The XV is definitely acceptable. (Some folks have complained of auto focus problems with the XV, but I have not experienced any.) Neither are outstanding for fast moving action. Regarding image quality, even though the T lacks an AA filter, I wouldn't call it better. The XV zoom has better edge sharpness at the wide end of the zoom and when wide open. It's close focusing (macro) and leaf shutter are also big pluses (less blur). The warm colors, edge to edge sharpness, and amazing signature Leica micro contrast are to die for. Both are truly superb and in a different, higher league than other APS cameras. Both are pretty amazing tools, and built like tanks. The T does handle low light better with the 23mm prime. This may be an important consideration for down the road for you. Regarding handling, the T displays the auto-selected ISO, which is a plus, but takes a while to auto switch to the EVF, a minus. The XV EVF is lower resolution, but works just fine. If you are sticking with just the zoom, however, you can't go wrong with the XV. Interchangeable lenses aside, I'm not sure that the T is worth thousands more. Heck, you can buy an XV (camera and lens) for almost the same price as the T zoom alone. Good luck! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjohn Posted July 14, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 14, 2014 There are many subtle differences in the handling between the T and the XV. Here are just a few: 1. When you review a magnified image and want to compare to a previous shot you can scroll to the next image without reducing the magnification. 2. The screen resolution and JPGs you look at to review are much cleaner and easier to tell how good focus was. 3. With its customized menu the T allows you to easily have the controls you need without having to go into menus, for example the format function can be quick and readily at hand. 4. On MF you get a distance and DOF scale on screen or in the EVF with the T but not on the XV. On the XV you have to look at the lens for distance but no DOF. 5. You can set the slowest shutter speed and ISO range on auto ISO on the T but not on the XV. There are many other subtle differences and many could be fixed on the XV with a firmware upgrade to the XV but I suspect leica plans to phase out the XV (just my hunch). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted July 14, 2014 Share #6 Posted July 14, 2014 (edited) The above is good. I would add: +ve for XV: Can set aperture with camera off Closer focus distance Lens hardly moves when zooming - more subtle Practically silent shutter Better leather half case +ve T Better made Faster focus Better EVF Wifi and GPS Zoom lens is brighter at long end Dual dial is faster to use for some things, eg ISO Interchangeable lenses Picture is slightly sharper, probably lack of AA Both have significant things that should be changed in firmware, eg. Can't switch off picture review ----> much more likely to get fixed in T Just for the zoom it's hard to say. There is an argument for T but also some for XV and price difference is big, however if it's part of a long term investment and you might want different lenses it would be a false economy to get the XV. As a companion to a M240 or A7 or DSLR system the XV is a good silent subtle choice. Rgds Edited July 14, 2014 by colonel 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted July 14, 2014 Share #7 Posted July 14, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I own XV and handled a T for a short time. I think the main difference is the more analog direct handling of the XV vs the touc-screen smart phone-like handling of the T. Probably a matter of taste. I prefer the user interface of XV by far, but I wish the AF and performance of the XV was faster. Another difference is flash-synch: The X-Vario you can flash synch at very short exp times while the T does not (since it has the shutter in the camera and not in the lens). This makes the X-Vario better for fill-flash during daylight. I think you have to handle both to find out. I stayed with an x2 + X-Vario and will skip the T at the moment. If the T had the speed of an Oly OMD and an integrated viewfinder and the wheels from the X-Vario I would get one in a second. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted July 14, 2014 Share #8 Posted July 14, 2014 Leica T ist just a "modern" Vario and you can put M Lens on it.... I have to agree with this ....... If you don't want to use M lenses and don't want a fancy touch screen interface you will not be missing much by saving money and getting an XV. I have both ...... and nice as the T is ...... if you forced me to choose I would keep my XV ..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotograph Posted July 14, 2014 Share #9 Posted July 14, 2014 With X Vario you can not have this: Zoom as X Vario has, just for casual shots and a nice M Lens for the Moment when you have more time to just make photography Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/230482-comparison-leica-tx-vario/?do=findComment&comment=2630383'>More sharing options...
jlindstrom Posted July 14, 2014 Share #10 Posted July 14, 2014 I stayed with an x2 + X-Vario and will skip the T at the moment. Now that makes a nice X package! X2 as pocket compact and Vario for the zoom needs.. and matching controls too. //Juha Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
waloszek Posted July 17, 2014 Share #11 Posted July 17, 2014 Since I only own the Leica X Vario, just two replies to remarks that were made: Barjohn wrote: 5. You can set the slowest shutter speed and ISO range on auto ISO on the T but not on the XV. According to the manual (p. 129) and what I see on my camera's menu, you can. There were, however, discussions about the shortest shutter speed of only 1/30 sec in the forums... Colonel wrote: Both have significant things that should be changed in firmware, eg. Can't switch off picture review ----> much more likely to get fixed in T The X Vario has indeed an "Off" option to turn off "Auto Review" (the options are not documented in the manual), but it does not work as expected (it works like "1 Second"). This is simply a firmware bug that should be corrected in a firmware update. But as Colonel writes, it is very unlikely that this bug will be corrected for the XV... Best regards, Gerd 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjohn Posted July 18, 2014 Share #12 Posted July 18, 2014 Gerd, This differs significantly in Auto ISO functionality. You can select any maximum shutter speed from 1/1 to 1/4000 or auto which is 1 /(2 x FL). Not the 1/30 value of the XV. Also on auto review, I could not turn it off on the XV or the T. It is not an option on the menu even though the manual shows it as an option. The best one can do is select zoom which seems to be the shortest review. Another thing is on the T you can't do a normal review in the EVF, only on the LCD. However, auto review does flash in the EVF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
waloszek Posted July 18, 2014 Share #13 Posted July 18, 2014 (edited) barjohn, Thank you for the clarifications. Since I own the X Vario only, I can only comment on what is in the manual for the T -- for the X Vario I can also look at my camera. For this reason, I did not know that the T's auto ISO options are quite different from what the X Vario offers. Both manuals do not tell the details... (CXV: p. 129, T: p. 152). The same applies to the "Auto Review" function (XV: p. 158, T: p. 180). But the - undocumented - menu options for "Auto Review" on my X Vario are: OFF, 1 Second, 3 Seconds, 5 Seconds, Hold, Zoom. So, there is an option to turn off "Auto Review," but regrettably it does not work -- it works similar to the "1 Second" setting. (see Leica X Vario: Functional Issues for details) Finally, it's hard to understand that the normal review image is not displayed in the EVF for the T. This is the attitude of "thinking for the user (or what he/she should do)" that you can also find at Apple Computer (I am an Apple user...). Best regards, Gerd Edited July 18, 2014 by waloszek Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papimuzo Posted July 20, 2014 Share #14 Posted July 20, 2014 If you want the screen to stay black when taking pictures (for instance during a theater show), you have to declare in the menu: "Play On Monitor" => OFF. Of course you must have the EVF connected and switched ON. Sorry if that have been already said but I discovered it when reading this thread... and noticed that the "Auto Review = OFF" doesn't work... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikasmg Posted July 20, 2014 Share #15 Posted July 20, 2014 If you want the screen to stay black when taking pictures (for instance during a theater show), you have to declare in the menu: "Play On Monitor" => OFF. ... I assume you are speaking of the XV? - Vikas 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papimuzo Posted July 20, 2014 Share #16 Posted July 20, 2014 Of course yes; I was refering to the post of Waloszek. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
waloszek Posted July 20, 2014 Share #17 Posted July 20, 2014 Papimuzo wrote: If you want the screen to stay black when taking pictures (for instance during a theater show), you have to declare in the menu: "Play On Monitor" => OFF. Of course you must have the EVF connected and switched ON. Sorry if that have been already said but I discovered it when reading this thread... and noticed that the "Auto Review = OFF" doesn't work... Thanks for the clarification. However, I was only referring to "Auto Review" (on the X Vario). For "Auto Review" the setting of "Play on Monitor" is irrelevant if you use the EVF -- in this case, "Auto Review" always appears in the EVF. I also pointed out that the "Off" setting for "Auto Review" does not work. Obviously, I was not clear enough in my posting so that you had to discover this for yourself... Best regards, Gerd PS: Since this is a T thread I do not want to go too much into details regarding the X Vario, but barjohn mentioned that "Auto Review" = "Off" does not work on the T either... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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