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Leica X2 or Leica X Vario


Gobdulm

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X2 is handy, fits in a jacket's pocket and is great to have it with you all the time, however no zoom.

 

If you need zoom and can live with the bigger package (still smaller than a bridge camera) and the inferior low light performance compared to the X2 (in my opinion secondary) you may consider the XV. That's why I chose the latter and am happy. I might buy later an additional X2 or D-Lux in order to have then a great cam when I am not in the mood of carrying around a more visible cam at all.

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I own both an X1 and XV. Bought the X1 about three years ago and the XV this past summer. Both reduce excellent results. The X1 and X2 IQ are outstanding. The XV zoom is useful and the IQ is possibly better than the X1 or X2, although I have not seen any it. Build quality of the XV is much better. The XV zoom is slow and is limited indoors even with decent high ISO capability. Both the X2 and XV are expensive, but in Leica terms, they are the middle of the pack relative the M or S and Digilux cameras.

 

If you buy an X2 or XV, you will be out between almost $2K-$3K. Given the fact that a used X1 could be had for about $750-$1K, or less, I'd buy an X1. I don't think there's any difference materially in IQ between the X1 and X2 , and some prefer the X1 is actually.

 

But to answer your question, if it were between a $2K for an X2 or a $2850 for an XV, I'd buy the XV.

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For me, neither.

 

The X2 is a flawed design, a decent camera wrapped up in a 'straight jacket' of a simple P&S design.

 

It could have been a great camera, if it had a proper fixed lens, aperture ring and filter thread, oh and a bloody viewfinder! (and I mean optical not stick on EVF).

 

The X Vario is definitely more versatile, has a 'proper' lens, filter thread but no built in viewfinder again. For the price I would prefer to buy one of the compact APS-C DSLR's such as the Canon range, and a decent 'standard' zoom lens such as the Sigma 17-50 f2.8.

 

I shall now duck for incoming!

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For me, neither.

 

The X2 is a flawed design, a decent camera wrapped up in a 'straight jacket' of a simple P&S design.

 

It could have been a great camera, if it had a proper fixed lens, aperture ring and filter thread, oh and a bloody viewfinder! (and I mean optical not stick on EVF).

 

The X Vario is definitely more versatile, has a 'proper' lens, filter thread but no built in viewfinder again. For the price I would prefer to buy one of the compact APS-C DSLR's such as the Canon range, and a decent 'standard' zoom lens such as the Sigma 17-50 f2.8.

 

I shall now duck for incoming!

 

 

 

XV is the most versatile and intuitive APS digital compact camera I have used ... and is a superb close-up camera when used with Leitz Elpro lenses.

 

dunk

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I also own both.

The easy answer: if you want a kind of compact camera (more compact than XV, RX1 or A/ + lens) get the X2. It is much more compact than the XV and goes in the pocket of a jacket.

It is also f2.8 and one can do quite a lot with 35mm fov.

 

If it would be your main camera than I would prefer the XV because of the range of the lens.

 

Another option: Get a Pana GM1+kit Zoom+17/1.8 Oly lens - it is like a XV and a X2 in one camera with a little worse IQ and not as nice handling but its smaller overall and only half of the money.

 

The XV is a great camera but it is a bit limited in regards of lens speed/available light.

 

Maybe you get a chance to handle both in a store.

 

The AF of both is not the fastest by the way. And they both deliver great IQ ;)

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XV is the most versatile and intuitive APS digital compact camera I have used ... and is a superb close-up camera when used with Leitz Elpro lenses.

 

dunk

 

I agree with Dunk. The XV is a great little camera and is better built than the X1/X2 in my opinion. The IQ is excellent, possibly better than the X1/X2. High-ISO results are outstanding and, to a large extent, compensate for the relatively slow maximum aperture.

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I thought my X1, which I find a truly excellent design apart from slowish AF, would become superfluous to my needs when adding the XV, Not so. There are times when the X1, with OVF detached, slips into a jacket pocket and has captured some fine pictures when not out specifically for photography. Both cameras serve different purposes; each has its own strengths and weaknesses which a few commentators find unacceptable. But we are all different and find different solutions.

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