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Canon S90 vs Leica X1

Portability
92
Imaging
34
Features
42
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot S90 front
 
Leica X1 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
33
Overall
44

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 Key Specs

Canon S90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-105mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 195g - 100 x 58 x 31mm
  • Revealed April 2010
  • Newer Model is Canon S95
Leica X1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • 35mm (F2.8) lens
  • 306g - 124 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Later Model is Leica X2
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Canon S90 vs Leica X1 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Canon S90 versus Leica X1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by brands Canon and Leica. The resolution of the S90 (10MP) and the X1 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the S90 (1/1.7") and X1 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The S90 was revealed 4 months after the X1 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Canon S90 being a Compact camera and the Leica X1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the S90 matches up versus the X1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon S90 over the Leica X1

 S90 X1 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Leica X1 over the Canon S90

 X1 S90 

Common features in the Canon S90 and Leica X1

 S90 X1 
ReleasedApril 2010December 2009Same age
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you have to think about its weight and size. The Canon S90 offers external measurements of 100mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Leica X1 has specifications of 124mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 306 grams (0.67 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon S90 versus Leica X1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the S90 and the X1.

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S90 and X1 is 92 and 89 respectively.

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 top view buttons comparison

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S90 and X1.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S90 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Leica X1 will provide extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 sensor size comparison

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon S90 vs Leica X1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon S90 Portrait photography advice
Leica X1 Portrait photography advice
40
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon S90 Street photography information
Leica X1 Street photography information
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
70
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (306g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon S90 Sports photography information
Leica X1 Sports photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect auto focus
34
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
can't change focal length (35mm)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon S90 Travel photography features
Leica X1 Travel photography features
63
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
lighter than competition in class (306 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon S90
Landscape photography with Leica X1
52
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse function
44
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
can't change focal length (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon S90 as a Vlogging camera
Leica X1 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Canon S90 vs Leica X1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon S90 and Leica X1
 Canon PowerShot S90Leica X1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Leica
Model type Canon PowerShot S90 Leica X1
Category Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Revealed 2010-04-08 2009-12-18
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4272 x 2856
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-105mm (3.8x) 35mm (1x)
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/2.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 30cm
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/500s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 None
Video format H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 195 gr (0.43 lbs) 306 gr (0.67 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 124 x 60 x 32mm (4.9" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 46 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 185 not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $599 $1,495