Sony RX100 VI v Panasonic TZ200 v Leica C-Lux: The verdict

  Sony, f/5.6 at 50mm
Sony, f/5.6 at 50mm

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been wrestling with the problem of choosing a one-inch-sensor travel camera — something I can keep with me at all times and a camera that could replace the Ricoh GR that I’ve always treated as my standby.

  Leica C-Lux at 24mm, f/5.6
Leica C-Lux at 24mm, f/5.6

The two contenders, the Sony RX100 VI and the Panasonic Lumix LZ200/Leica C-Lux, have both been reviewed on Macfilos (links at the foot of this article). Both have their considerable merits, and the remarkable 24-360mm zoom of the Leica is impressive in anyone’s book. But it isn’t so clear-cut. The Pane-Leica is little different in size to the Leica D-Lux. Although the D-Lux has a limited zoom, it does offer a four-thirds sensor (albeit cropped by 10% to give a conversion factor of 2.2 instead of 2) with undoubtedly higher image quality. You can’t ignore the laws of physics.

When size is important

Size in a one-inch superzoom camera is essential. Ideally, the camera should take full advantage of the small sensor to achieve a body that can fit in a pocket. The Sony achieves this. Even the Leica C-Lux will fill your pocket at a pinch, but even Mae West wouldn’t notice the RX100.

Concerning fitness for purpose, then, the Sony is spot on. If your primary consideration is compact dimensions, then the RX100 in any of its guises is the obvious choice. It is a well-made, jewel-like little camera which doesn’t disappoint in any significant area. The Mk.VI has slightly better and more consistent image quality and sharpness across the range of focal lengths, but there isn’t that much in it, to be frank.

  The difference in size between these two cameras is pronounced. The Sony is the true pocket camera while the C-Lux packs in more controls and near-twice-the-reach zoom lens. The difference in height is largely explained by making room for the viewfinder. On the Leica it is ready for action while the Sony relies on a pop-up affair, thus enabling a lower profile. However, the Sony is much more expensive. You pays your money and you takes your choice
The difference in size between these two cameras is pronounced. The Sony is the true pocket camera while the C-Lux packs in more controls and near-twice-the-reach zoom lens. The difference in height is largely explained by making room for the viewfinder. On the Leica it is ready for action while the Sony relies on a pop-up affair, thus enabling a lower profile. However, the Sony is much more expensive. You pays your money and you takes your choice

The C-Lux (aka Panasonic TZ200), on the other hand, is more the photographer’s camera. With its slightly larger body and small grip, it feels better in the hands — more stable and more satisfying to use. It also takes advantage of the additional real-estate in placing a useful adjustment dial on the top plate, as well as a control wheel which the Sony lacks (control is via the wheel encircling the four-way pad and is by no means as intuitive). That top dial on the Leica makes all the difference in handling.

  The Leica’s top-plate controls are more sensible, with a proper on/off switch instead of a push-push button and a large control dial. The Sony’s control dial is on the back, around the four-way pad and is much less easy to operate. The difference in the size of the lens housing is also notable, with the Leica’s long zoom needing more space
The Leica’s top-plate controls are more sensible, with a proper on/off switch instead of a push-push button and a large control dial. The Sony’s control dial is on the back, around the four-way pad and is much less easy to operate. The difference in the size of the lens housing is also notable, with the Leica’s long zoom needing more space

The viewfinder of the C-Lux is easier to use, doesn’t need extending and is more natural for anyone familiar with the rangefinder-style M or similar digital cameras. Unfortunately, though, the image in the viewfinder is less vibrant, less involving than that of the Sony. If the Panasonic/Leica viewfinder had the bright, contrasty screen of the Sony, then it would be a no contest. I would prefer the C-Lux viewfinder. It’s worth bearing in mind, too, that the diopter adjustment on the C-Lux has a more adjustment range — hence more precision in setting — and it stays where it is put. Such accuracy and reliability is not the case with the short-travel lever atop the Sony’s EVF. It is difficult to set precisely and is easily knocked out of kilter when the housing is pushed back into the camera body. I find myself constantly adjusting it.

No deal breaker

Although the Leica’s lens is half a stop slower at the wide end and over a full stop adrift at 200mm (to compare directly with the Sony), I do not see this as a deal breaker. At the most used views, between 24 and 50mm, the difference is not worth bothering about. And, with current ISO performance (even from a one-inch sensor) it’s something you can live with. From 70mm there is a greater divergence.

But the obvious divergence between these two cameras is in the range of focal lengths. The Sony stops short at 200mm (probably for pragmatic reasons) while the Leica shoots forward to nearly twice that length — a rather staggering 360mm. Only you can tell if you need this additional reach and whether or not you will use it.

  Above, the magnificent duo in repose at 24mm. Below, on the job at full chat
Above, the magnificent duo in repose at 24mm. Below, on the job at full chat

I found that it was indeed interesting use this massive zoom merely because it’s there and it is fun to experiment. But, for my style of photography, the uses for 360mm were limited. If you are into wildlife or sports then maybe three-sixty cuts the mustard, for me it is more of a nice-to-have-but-not-essential feature, especially when it means compromising in other directions. There is no doubt, though, that an optical image at 360mm will beat a 100% crop from the Sony any day.

I’ve mentioned image quality and suggested that the Sony has the edge. I think that one of the problems with the C-Lux could be that rather ambitious 360mm reach in so tiny an optic. It will have been challenging to engineer, and I suspect that the Sony’s consistency over the 24-200mm range is mostly down to the company having decided to be prudent in maximum magnification. You could argue it is quality over quantity. All this said if I wanted that 360mm zoom I would choose the Leica without hesitation. It’s an excellent camera to use, handles better and, to be honest, the image differences are not that great.

  The C-Lux is capable of producing excellent results although the Sony has a narrow lead in image quality. I could live with both these cameras and it is not image quality but size that was the deciding factor for me
The C-Lux is capable of producing excellent results although the Sony has a narrow lead in image quality. I could live with both these cameras and it is not image quality but size that was the deciding factor for me

Price factor

Both these cameras are a good choice, and the final decision comes down to your requirements. Do you prefer a slightly larger camera that fits your hands better? Do you want a more traditional control layout? Do you want a camera to fit unobtrusively in a pocket? Do you need such a long zoom?

We must never forget, however, that the Sony RX100 VI is a costly little trinket in anyone’s book. At a current UK price of £1,150, it is £275 more expensive than the even the Leica C-Lux and all of £470 more than the Panasonic Lumix TZ200. Those are big figures and big percentages. Of the three, it is the Leica that will depreciate least in percentage terms but, again, it is nearly £200 more than the almost identical TZ200. Without a doubt, you will lose a packet on the Sony when you come to sell.

My requirement for a one-inch sensor camera is predicated on pocket-ability. I have other cameras to use, but I need one camera, with a flexible all-round zoom capability, that I can slip in a pocket without thinking. I found the Sony to be ideal in this respect during my stay in Hong Kong. It was the perfect camera for evenings, taking to restaurants and capturing street scenes.

Final choice

  For most purposed, I find that 200mm (as here) is a useful all-round maximum zoom. The C-Lux could get in much closer, but how often would you use it?
For most purposed, I find that 200mm (as here) is a useful all-round maximum zoom. The C-Lux could get in much closer, but how often would you use it?

Size is the main reason I have chosen to buy the Sony. It was a close call, as you can tell from the two reviews, and no one can accuse me of making a hasty decision. Even now I have my doubts and wonder if I’ve made the right choice. I used both cameras extensively, but it is the Sony that fits my bill more than the Leica. It also fits my pocket; it’s a cute little beast and no mistake. When I look at it I feel inclined to agree with myself.

You may have other requirements, and I would support you if you chose the Leica or the Panasonic. Neither will disappoint, I think, and you will undoubtedly enjoy the handling more. You might even come to rely on the extraordinary (for such a small camera) 360mm reach. But for my part, if I am willing to put up with that extra size, I could be tempted more to a D-Lux (or the newer LX100 II) with the larger sensor, much faster zoom and overall better image quality — that Vario-Summilux is a cracker — and forego the long-reach zoom.

Below are some stunning images from reader Alan Chimacoff from Princeton, New Jersey. Alan also made the same selection process as I did — first buying the C-Lux before returning it and opting for the Sony Mark VI. He says: “The C-Lux seemed imprecise (visually), especially at the 360mm equivalent focal length except for a fairly close subject. The Sony is much better and your reviews of both are spot-on accurate. I find the Sony a little bit wanting at low light/high ISO…and that’s an issue for me because I am an anti-bokeh-guy and thus shoot at the smallest apertures I can (avoiding diffraction—it’s a delicate game).”

You can find more from Alan at chimacoff.com. Click on the images below to see them full size.

So there you have it. I chose the Sony, but this doesn’t mean you should. Try both, see how they handle, then consult your wallet. The C-Lux or TZ200 is probably the most sensible buy, not the Sony. It’s a case of heart over head — head says Panaleica, heart loves that cute and cuddlesome little Sony.

What this exercise proves more than anything is that we are all different and have varied expectations and tolerances. There is no definitive answer except to say that “I chose”.

For a much more in-depth assessment of these two cameras with hundreds of images see our in-depth reviews:

  1. Sony RX100 VI

  2. Leica C-Lux

  3. Jono Slack’s review of the C-Lux

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5 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks! A number of users have suggested that a crop from the Sony would win; Mike Evans’s comment was perhaps the first I’d seen that gave the edge to the Panasonic/Leica. Though I’ve played with the newer Sony (RX100 VII) a bit in a store, the C-Lux/ZS200/TZ200 has been relatively difficult to find. I’ve got them both on order and hope to compare the 360mm to a crop of the 200mm, as well as see which one is easier to shoot in my style. These are some of the best reviews I’ve seen, BTW!

  2. I found that the Panasonic (..I haven’t tried it in Leica livery..) needed lots of fiddling in menus – to adjust sharpness, contrast, saturation, etc – till I was (..fairly ..almost) pleased with the pictures it delivered.

    Overall, the lens seems to give photos which are not so ‘clear’ and ‘bright’ or ‘transparent’ as the Sony ..somehow as though seen through a slight fuzziness ..and that’s after trying several versions, not just one. The Sony, by comparison, is incredibly sharp and clear, and I’ve easily printed 32cm x 27cm (13″ x 10.5″) “full bleed” (meaning printed right to the very edge) hi-res Blurb books from 1½ or 2x crops of Sony RX100MkVI photos ..and with no visible loss of sharpness or detail ..the lens is that good.

    By comparison, full bleed printed photos from the Panasonic look – to me – a bit fuzzy.

    Mike Evans says “..There is no doubt, though, that an optical image at 360mm will beat a 100% crop from the Sony any day”. I’m not so sure. I’d rather crop from the 200mm Sony than use a straight 360mm Panasonic shot.

    I think you’ll always have the lingering idea that you might have “bought the wrong one” (even if you plump for the Sony, which is the right choice!) so either try both yourself, if you’re within reasonable reach of a camera shop, or, as you say, “..just get them both and return or resell one”. Above all, you must be happy that you really did make the right choice for you!

  3. My main use case for a compact is capturing nature scenes and wildlife during trail runs, carrying it in a small waist bag, though it also serves as a pocket or travel camera when I’m not running. (IOW, it’s always on my person.) I currently have a ZS50 and love the reach, but it frustrates me in any kind of low light, be it in dense forest, on overcast days, or near dawn or dusk. Autofocus struggles and image quality degrades. Shooting raw and post-processing helps but can only do so much if I can’t start with a crisp image. Also, the tiny EVF makes it difficult to confirm focus on faraway subjects, and composition is limited in a few scenarios by the fixed display, though I’ve never actually used an articulated one, so it’s not a must.

    I think one of these 1″ sensor cameras would be a good compromise between reach and low light performance. Either is an upgrade in terms of AF, IQ, and EVF, but they have their relative strengths. The C-Lux (ZS200) has reach, ergonomics, battery life, and cost savings. The RX100 VI has a sharper lens, next-gen AF, a better EVF image, and an articulated screen. I’ll be purchasing a pre-owned unit, where the price difference is only about half that of full retail.

    I realize that you said that one shouldn’t hesitate to get the Panaleica if reach is the deciding factor, but even after you got used to having it, you decided on the Sony. Most others seem to have made the same decision. Do you have any other advice, or know anyone who has shot both cameras with an eye towards wildlife, or know anyone who has gone the other way? Since these are really my only two options, should I just get them both and return or resell one? Thanks!

  4. Neat article think you should consider doing RX1R 11 bs new Zeiss camera when released, you get to the nitty gritty!

    • Thanks John

      That Zeiss camera is huge and I can’t say I am very interested in connectivity and in-camera processing. So it’s not really something I will get all that worked up about. It will be interesting to see if it succeeds and I will be watching it with interest.

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