• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Leica X Vario advantages over Olympus TG-4

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.77 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus TG-4 advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Less expensive
    $380 vs $2850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    100 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    31 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    247g vs 636g
    Lighter weight
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 4.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Buy the Leica X Vario
Leica X Vario (Black)
  • Leica X Vario (Black)
  • Leica X Vario (Silver)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-4 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-4 (Black)
  • Olympus TG-4 (Red)

Review Excerpt

  • Outstanding design and build; Exceptionally sharp 28-70mm equivalent zoom lens; Very good still image quality with accurate and realistic colors; Fairly speedy and accurate autofocusing.

  • Expensive, especially for a fixed-lens compact; Relatively slow f/3.5-6.4 lens; Below average video functionality and quality; Not at all pocketable, about as big and heavy as a mirrorless camera with a moderate zoom lens attached.

  • Read our Leica X Vario Express Review

  • Rugged and waterproof camera body; RAW image capture; fast f/2.0 maximum aperture; fun shooting modes; fast AF speeds for its class.

  • Heavy noise reduction, even at base ISO; no continuous RAW image capture; underwhelming video performance.

  • Read our Olympus TG-4 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Olympus TG-4
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Sigma dp2 Quattro

Compared to Sigma dp3 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

Olympus TG-4
Sigma dp3 Quattro
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Sigma dp3 Quattro

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Leica X Vario
Olympus TG-3
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Leica X Vario vs Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-3
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Olympus TG-3

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Leica X Vario
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Leica X Vario vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Olympus TG-4
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Faster shutter

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Leica X Vario
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Leica X Vario vs Sigma dp0 Quattro

Olympus TG-4
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $499
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-4 vs Sigma dp0 Quattro

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