Leica X Vario vs Sony RX1 - actual performance hinted by (lack of) eBay resales

[hamey]

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My local Leica dealer has two XV's since their introduction, so far NO TAKERS.

However with the Leica M he has a few orders to fill when Solms gets it's act together.

 

As with the Sony RX1 he cannot get enough of them.

 

Cheers.

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[Peter L]

I guess that this sort of discussion is the life blood of these forums, who cares whether or not some other camera is better or not , there is really not a bit of useful information to be extracted from this discussion.

I have an X Vario, I like it, I have other cameras too , I like them too.

Using ebay as a statistical indicator has to be a simpletons approach to probability theory .

[michaelbrenner]

My local Leica dealer has two XV's since their introduction, so far NO TAKERS.

However with the Leica M he has a few orders to fill when Solms gets it's act together.

 

As with the Sony RX1 he cannot get enough of them.

 

Cheers.

 

How can one not get excited about a full frame compact mirrorless camera with a quality lens... I had thought for sure that that would be Leica's next step in the X line. In the lens article, the chief lens designer for the Leica X Vario at Leica, Peter Karbe, hinted that the smaller sensor was used to keep the camera size down and that larger sensor sizes were not really needed and so it would seem Leica (wrong or right) pursued the next logical step (after the sensor) in line with their business philosophy and for which they are well known - the lens. Karbe remarked (I'm paraphrasing) that his team's goal was for the Leica X Vario lens to be as good as an M lens and that image quality should be maintained throughout the range of the zoom and at all available apertures, a one-of-kind value proposition for a camera in this category.

 

It is not surprising, given the bad press, that initial demand for the Leica X Vario has been tepid, and it may very well be that simply enough of them have not yet sold for us to see a presence in the used market. Or it could be people hoping / expecting to get Leica quality from Sony were disappointed and have put their camera up for resale. Some owners of the Sony have commented that although picture quality for the Sony RX1 is excellent, the Sony RX1 lacks the "Lecia look", that almost 3D quality that makes images seem to "pop" from the page.

[Lee Martin]

Certainly the announcement of the full frame Sony will have a bearing ,before people hand over their money for a small sensored Slow Leica. At the risk of repitition it's a RX 1 version of the Monocrom we want

[Ecaton]

Certainly the announcement of the full frame Sony will have a bearing ,before people hand over their money for a small sensored Slow Leica. At the risk of repitition it's a RX 1 version of the Monocrom we want

 

How dare you, coming here and expressing a not so excited opinion about a Leica camera;)

[leicatraveller]

sorry its like to compare a jackass with a horse ))))))

 

My Rx1 at 35mm to be truth its better then my Leica M with a 35mm lens in image quality

[wilfredo]

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In reading reviews on both cameras I concluded you get more bang for the buck with the Sony, however, at the end of the day, I prefer the Leica X Vario images. This is based on what I've seen on the internet, especially B&W photos of people. Here's a clear example of what I mean: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/300422-seven-stories.html

[mben]

The X Vario does not show up on the bay mainly because it does not sell well and there are very few samples around.

 

The RX1 is the opposite: dealers inundated with boxes and fair numbers sold.

 

I am envisaging to balance the ratio, as XV slowness frustration could make mine hit the bay soon.

 

M

[rsh]

They are different cameras. Because of the zoom, I feel the XV is more versatile, especially for travel photography. The Sony is probably better camera if you want a single focal length camera with a fast medium wide angle lens.

 

I cannot critique the Sony as I have never held or used one. I have and XV and an X2 so I am set for the time being. I like them both.

[Ecaton]

Currently there are three used XV available at B&H. Used Sony RX1 at B&H: Zero, nada, none!

So from the 8 XV which Leica sold WW so far , 3 have been seen in the used market. Go figure.

[barjohn]

Maybe you should check a little further: First price on XVs ranges from $2419 to $2559 at B&H, then look at Adorama, no used XVs and 2 Sony RX-1s from $2399 to $2489, then go to Amazon and no used XVs and 21 used RX-1 ranging in price from $1999 up. Go REFIGURE!

[wilfredo]

It's funny how this discussion gets lost on variables that to a photographer seeking the best possible flesh tones, gets lost. The X Vario outpaces the Sony in that regard, it renders better more realistic, closer to film flesh tones. I love photographing people and for me this is the decisive factor. The lens is the heart of the beast and with all its flaws, the Leica Vario wins hands down!

 

I've held on to my D2 for this reason and it still rocks at the end of the day when I look at a photo and breath a joyful sigh!

[Fotograph]

So from the 8 XV which Leica sold WW so far , 3 have been seen in the used market. Go figure.

 

I was Number 8 - but returned, so there are only 7 out there

[Guest]

I was Number 8 - but returned, so there are only 7 out there

 

statistikkorrektur: ich bestelle morgen damit ich mich noch unter die top-ten-user einreihen kann und demnächst weltweit endlich 10 Stück leica XVario verkauft sind. :)

 

br kmhb

[DirkB17]

...I will also join in

[Ecaton]

I was Number 8 - but returned, so there are only 7 out there

 

But the counter jumped almost back to 8 today when my favorite Leica dealer spontaneously offered me 15% off the sticker price of a brand new XV. So I asked him how many he had already sold of this beauty. All I got as an answer was a sigh and an eye roll. I then walked out without a camera, knowing that I can pick slightly used ones up in the market for less than UD 2000 very soon, if I wanted.