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Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Canon PowerShot S120 front
 
Leica V-Lux 20 front
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 Key Specs

Canon S120
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
  • 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Old Model is Canon S110
Leica V-Lux 20
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced April 2010
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Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Leica. The sensor resolution of the S120 (12MP) and the V-Lux 20 (12MP) is fairly close but the S120 (1/1.7") and V-Lux 20 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The S120 was launched 3 years after the V-Lux 20 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the S120 scores vs the V-Lux 20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 S120 V-Lux 20 
AnnouncedNovember 2013April 2010Newer by 44 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution922k461kClearer display (+461k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Canon S120

 V-Lux 20 S120 

Common features in the Canon S120 and Leica V-Lux 20

 S120 V-Lux 20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Canon S120 features outer dimensions of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 217 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Leica V-Lux 20 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs).

Compare the Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the S120 and the V-Lux 20.

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S120 and V-Lux 20 is 92 and 91 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 top view buttons comparison

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specs. The picture below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S120 and V-Lux 20.

All in all, both of those cameras have the same MP but not the same sensor dimensions. The S120 includes the larger sensor which should make getting bokeh easier. The newer S120 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 sensor size comparison

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon S120
Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 20
42
focusing manually
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
21
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon S120 Street photography factors
Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition in class (217 grams)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (218 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon S120 Sports photography highlights
Leica V-Lux 20 Sports photography highlights
38
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon S120 as a Travel photography camera
Leica V-Lux 20 as a Travel photography camera
67
boasts focus by touch
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
more heavy than competition in class (217 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
63
lighter than competitors (218 grams)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon S120 Landscape photography features
Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography features
57
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
38
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 as a Vlogging camera
Leica V-Lux 20 as a Vlogging camera
35
rather wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f1.8)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (217g)
30
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (218g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
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Canon S120 vs Leica V-Lux 20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S120 and Leica V-Lux 20
 Canon PowerShot S120Leica V-Lux 20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Leica
Model Canon PowerShot S120 Leica V-Lux 20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-11-26 2010-04-20
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Max aperture f/1.8-5.7 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dot 461 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m 5.30 m
Flash settings Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 217 grams (0.48 lbs) 218 grams (0.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 246 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-6LH -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $449 $779