Leica Q Typ 116 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R — Which Is Better?

The Leica Q Typ 116 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R are both full frame compact cameras with fixed lenses, so the lens you buy with the body is the one you keep.

The RX1R, from 2013, is the smaller and lighter camera at 113 x 65 x 70 mm and 482 g. The Q Typ 116, from 2015, is the larger body at 130 x 80 x 93 mm and 640 g.

The Q Typ 116 is the camera to choose for eye-level shooting, because it has a built-in electronic viewfinder with 3,680,000 dots. The RX1R has no viewfinder at all, so you frame every shot on the rear screen. For capturing movement, the Q also doubles the RX1R's maximum shooting rate at 10 fps against 5 fps, with 49 autofocus points against 25.

Both use a full frame CMOS sensor at near-identical resolution, 24.2 against 24.3 megapixels, leaving ample detail for large prints or heavy crops. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, so both depend on shutter speed in dim light. The Q's 1/16000 second top shutter setting also permits a shorter exposure than the RX1R's 1/4000 second at wide apertures in bright sun.

For timelapse work the Q Typ 116 is the clear choice, because it has a built-in interval timer while the RX1R offers none. The Q records in the widely compatible MP4 format, while the RX1R uses AVCHD. Both cameras share the same limits, with Full HD the maximum resolution and 60 fps the maximum frame rate.

The RX1R's tilting screen is its working advantage for low or high angles, letting you frame from waist level or above a crowd without crouching. The Q's screen is fixed, but it adds touch control for setting focus points directly. The RX1R also has built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, plus a more detailed screen at 1,229,000 dots against 1,040,000.

For flash, the RX1R carries a small built-in unit for instant fill, while the Q relies on an external flash. Both accept external flash guns, so studio or hot-shoe work remains open to either camera. Neither has GPS or weather sealing, so neither suits geotagging trips or rain without care.

The Q Typ 116 has the longer rated battery life at 300 shots against 270 for the RX1R. Both use a single card slot, and the RX1R also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo alongside the SD, SDHC and SDXC cards both cameras accept. Neither charges over USB, so each needs its own charger and a spare battery for long days.