The release of the new X2D 100C Earth Explorer Limited Edition and the Leica Q3 has been big news in the high-end camera market. How do these two cameras line up with the other flagship compact camera? In this category, I believe Sony produces the smallest full-frame sensor camera, and Fujifilm produces the most compact APSC cameras. In the medium format, both Fujifilm and Hasselblad seem to have the most compact cameras.

The chart below, courtesy of Rob Will, shows the range from APSC to Medium Format. The two most compact cameras are the X100VI, an APSC camera, and the Sony RXrII full-frame camera, both fixed-lens cameras. The former has Fujifilm’s most advanced 42mp APSC sensor and processor, and the latter is a full-frame Sony camera released in 2015. Both are excellent street cameras that produce high-quality images in a discreet and pocketable size. I would worry about investing in the Sony camera, given its age and the possibility of a new version. Also, given the size of the A7Cr and Sony’s latest compact lens series, this might be a better option and almost as discreet.

So, when choosing between the two compact cameras, I chose the Fujifilm X100VI. Its advantage over this RX1r II is the external dials, dual EVF/Optical viewfinder, and the ability to adapt the lens to the 24—or 50mm range. This camera has been reviewed by DPReview and received the Gold Award.

The most appealing camera in this lineup is the Leica Q3 43, a fixed-lens camera with a 43mm f2 lens and macro. This focal length has been growing in popularity among many photographs. The lens is an apochromatic design, giving the camera’s Image Quality a bit of a boost over cameras using achromatic lens designs. Its compact design and the simplicity of its menu system are getting good reviews.

The full frame compact camera market is really donminate by Sony, which also as a sensor manufacture have the most advanced sensors on the market. Here the choose would be the A7RV, a 61mp interchangable lens camera. This camera coupled with the three new compact 24, 40 and 50mm prime lens creates the smallest possible full frame kit. This would be my choice for the most compact, highest quality full frame interchangable lens camera.

In the medium format range it would be difficult to decided between the Hasselblad X2D 100C and the new GFX 100s II, in general the Hasselblad is more compact and has a cleaner design. This camera coupled with the new line of compact XCD V lenses, would make this camera an excellent choice over the Fujifilm camera. However, the Fujifilm camera has more options for adapting third party lense, and is perhaps a more rugged build should you be a landscape photographer.