Canon PowerShot S95 vs. Leica V-Lux 20: A Thorough Comparison for Enthusiasts and Professionals

When it comes to compact cameras from the first decade of this century, two models stand out with very different philosophies: the Canon PowerShot S95 and the Leica V-Lux 20. Both announced in 2010, these cameras target enthusiasts who want more control and versatility than a smartphone but might not be ready for interchangeable-lens systems. However, they approach that goal quite differently, with the Canon focusing on image quality and pocketability, while the Leica pitches a superzoom with long reach.

Having spent countless hours shooting with both cameras, putting them through technical tests, and comparing images side-by-side, I want to share a deep-dive analysis. Whether you’re a street shooter, wildlife hobbyist, or casual traveler, my goal is to help you find which compact fits your style best. Let’s begin with a close look at their size and handling.

Comfortable in Your Hands? Size and Ergonomics Matter

The Canon S95 and Leica V-Lux 20 are fairly similar in size, though the Leica is a tad chunkier and heavier: 218g vs. Canon’s svelte 195g, and dimensions favor Canon by a few millimeters in all directions. The Canon’s more streamlined body and modest zoom range help keep it pocket-friendly, which is a huge plus for street photography or travel where discretion and light packing matter.

Handling the S95, you notice a smooth, well-contoured shape designed for one-handed shooting. The Leica, with its superzoom lens, is physically deeper - noticeably so when you extend zoom - and its grip feels a bit clunkier in tight spots. But the extra heft also suggests a more substantial build, which some users might prefer for stability during longer zooms, especially for wildlife.

In my real-world test, the Canon's grip layout was faster to operate intuitively, partly because of its simpler control scheme, and partly due to Canon’s experience refining compact controls. Leica’s controls feel more segmented, with zoom and focus switches but less tactile feedback on buttons.

If pocketability and quick handling top your list, Canon wins by a small margin here. But if telephoto reach and a more robust presence are what you want, Leica’s bulk is justified.

Taking Control: Top-Down Design and User Interface

Switching to the top view, you see contrasting philosophies. The Canon S95 offers a clean, minimal layout with a dedicated mode dial enabling quick transitions through aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, and program modes. A customizable function button, exposure compensation dial, and prominent shutter release give the feeling of control without overwhelming complexity.

Leica’s V-Lux 20, on the other hand, features fewer dedicated controls on top and relies more on button-based menus. The zoom lever around the shutter button is a key tool given the 12x zoom - a feature you'll frequently interact with - but manual exposure control feels less straightforward due to lack of dedicated dials.

From my experience, Canon’s top plate design facilitates faster shooting adjustments on the fly - a benefit when light changes or moments demand quick tweaks. Leica’s design feels better suited for deliberate shooting sessions, where you set your zoom, adjust settings calmly, and compose your shot.

For photographers who thrive on manual control and want to capture decisive moments, Canon’s approach is preferable, while Leica remains a versatile choice when reach is non-negotiable and speed can be sacrificed.

Sensor Specs and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Diving deeper, sensor technology largely defines what these two compacts can deliver. Both utilize CCD sensors, common for their era, but the Canon S95 sports a larger 1/1.7" sensor (7.44 x 5.58 mm) compared to Leica’s smaller 1/2.3" (6.08 x 4.56 mm). With an effective resolution of 10 megapixels for Canon and 12 megapixels for Leica, at first glance Leica might seem advantageous, but there’s more nuance beneath the surface.

Larger sensor area on Canon - about 41.5 mm² versus Leica's 27.7 mm² - means physically bigger photodiodes capable of gathering more light per pixel. This difference translates to better dynamic range, color depth, and noise control, especially in challenging lighting.

DxOMark’s scoring (Canon S95 scoring an overall of 47, with 20.4 bits in color depth and an impressive 11.3 stops of dynamic range) backs this up. For Leica, unfortunately, DxOMark hasn’t tested the V-Lux 20, but based on sensor type and size, we expect more noise at high ISO and narrower dynamic range.

From my own shooting, the Canon handles shadows and highlights with greater finesse, retaining subtle gradations without clipping easily. The Leica, while competent in good light, struggles with noise starting around ISO 400, leading to murkier images. The reduced sensor size also affects low-light capability significantly.

What does this mean for your photography? If you shoot portraits, landscapes, or events where image quality is paramount and dynamic range makes or breaks your shot, Canon's S95 sensor has a clear edge.

Readability Matters: Screen and Viewfinder Usability

Neither camera has a viewfinder, which is expected for compacts of this range, so the rear LCD usability becomes crucial. Both have a 3-inch LCD at 461k dots resolution, fixed in place (no tilt or touchscreen).

While coverage and resolution are on par, I found the Canon S95’s display a touch brighter and more contrasty in daylight, aiding composition under tricky outdoor light. The Leica's display, while decent, seemed slightly reflective and less vivid, requiring more care to frame shots accurately.

I also appreciated the menu layout on the Canon, which is logical and responsive. Leica’s interface, while functional, felt a bit dated and occasionally sluggish when navigating deeper settings.

If you often work outdoors or require a quick glance at your image review, Canon offers marginally better experience on this front.

Image Samples Side-by-Side: Seeing Is Believing

Canon S95 front Canon S95 screen back Leica V Lux 20 front Leica V Lux 20 screen back

Having talked specs, here are some real-world image samples to study. The Canon S95 images reveal rich skin tones, natural color reproduction, and gentle bokeh when shooting portraits wide open at f/2. The background separation is flattering, albeit with the expected limits of a compact lens.

The Leica V-Lux 20 delivers pleasing daylight images as well, though colors trend cooler and contrast appears flatter. Its longer zoom means you can capture distant wildlife or sports with decent detail, but image noise and softness creep in at telephoto extremes.

In landscape shots, Canon’s superior dynamic range preserves sky and shadow detail with elegance. Leica’s images show tighter framing thanks to zoom, beneficial for compression effects but at the cost of noise and clarity in low-light conditions.

For street photography, Canon’s discreet size and better low-light IQ make it my preferred choice. Leica's zoom excels for safe shooting from a distance but feels less at home in quick, candid scenarios.

Evaluating Shooting Speeds and Autofocus

Speed and reliability of focus and burst capture influence many genres like sports and wildlife. Both cameras utilize contrast-detection autofocus, relatively slow compared to modern mirrorless models.

The Canon S95 has 9 focus points and offers single-shot AF only, with no continuous tracking or face detection - a limitation to note. Leica adds 11 AF points, including a center-weighted option, but similarly lacks continuous AF or tracking.

Burst rates favor Leica slightly, capturing 2 frames per second versus Canon’s modest 1 fps. However, these speeds remain slow by today’s standards, and both cameras struggle to maintain focus on fast-moving subjects.

In practical use, Canon's autofocus felt more accurate in good light, especially for stationary subjects. Leica's zoom capability helps frame wildlife further out, but autofocus hunting is more noticeable at max telephoto, often frustrating in dynamic scenes.

In other words, neither camera is ideal for high-speed action, but if you prioritize basic AF precision in moderately paced shooting, Canon edges ahead.

Features Impacting Macro and Close-Up Photography

Macro enthusiasts will want to look closely at focusing ranges and image stabilization. Canon’s S95 can focus as close as 5 cm, which is respectable, while Leica gets even closer at 3 cm.

Both cameras offer optical image stabilization, essential for handheld close-ups. Canon’s system performs well, noticeably reducing blur from handshake in macro and low-light shots. Leica’s stabilization also works but feels less effective during telephoto zoom.

Manual focus is supported on Canon, giving the option for fine tuning - a boon for macro. Leica relies primarily on autofocus, which can be hit or miss at close distances.

For flower, insect, or product photography, Canon’s flexibility and stabilization win my recommendation. Leica’s extra zoom reach can be interesting creatively but demands steadier hands or a tripod.

Low-Light Shooting and Night Photography Capabilities

Low-light is where sensor tech and stabilization really matter. Canon's higher max native ISO of 3200 and larger sensor provide a distinct advantage. Noise is visibly controlled up to ISO 800 and usable up to 1600 with some noise reduction applied.

Leica claims ISO 6400 max, but image quality deteriorates quickly past ISO 400, making higher ISO shots grainy and lacking detail. Noise reduction can over-smooth textures, sacrificing sharpness.

Neither camera offers special astro modes or long exposure timelapse, but Canon’s shutter speed range (up to 15 seconds) allows experimentation with night scenes.

Hence, for night photography or astro, Canon is the better pick, delivering cleaner images with more dynamic range at modest ISOs.

Video Recording Quality and Usability

Both cameras cap video resolution at 720p HD. Canon records at 24 fps in H.264 format, while Leica offers 60 fps but using Motion JPEG, which creates larger files and lower compression efficiency.

Neither has microphone or headphone jacks, limiting audio controls. Video quality is decent for casual use but not suitable for professional shoots.

Image stabilization works in video mode on both, but Canon's optical system feels smoother, resulting in steadier footage.

If video is not a priority, either camera suffices. But for better stabilization and file compression, Canon’s solution is preferable.

Durability, Weather Resistance, and Build Quality

Both cameras lack any environmental sealing, dustproofing, or waterproofing. Build quality feels solid but lightweight on Canon, with mostly plastic components but solid chassis.

Leica’s build has a more premium feel, with firmer button feedback and a slightly heavier body. Still, neither is rugged enough for rough outdoor or adverse conditions.

If your photography regularly pushes the elements, consider more robust options.

Storage, Connectivity, and Battery Life

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with Leica uniquely supporting internal storage backup, a convenient feature.

Connectivity options are sparse: Canon offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless photo transfer; Leica has built-in GPS, a boon for geotagging your shots.

Battery life details are sparse, but both use proprietary lithium-ion batteries (Canon NB-6L). Real-world use indicates approximately 250-300 shots per charge on Canon, slightly less on Leica, reflecting the larger LCD and zoom operation.

USB 2.0 and mini HDMI ports on both facilitate file transfer and external display but lack advanced wireless options that have become standard today.

Value and Pricing: Which Camera Gives You More?

At an MSRP of around $495, Canon S95 delivers strong image quality, controllability, and pocketability for the price - a competitive offering even compared to more recent compacts.

Leica’s V-Lux 20, priced significantly higher at about $779, tries to justify its cost with superzoom versatility and GPS features. However, the smaller sensor and image quality compromise make me question if the zoom range alone is worth the premium for many users.

Pair that with its slower autofocus and less intuitive controls, and Leica’s value proposition narrows to serious travelers or users requiring extreme reach in a compact format.

How They Perform Across Photography Disciplines

Let’s break down which camera excels where:

• Portraits: Canon S95’s larger sensor and wider aperture produce better skin tones and smoother bokeh, winning handily.
• Landscapes: Again, Canon’s dynamic range and resolution offer richer, more detailed results.
• Wildlife: Leica’s 12x zoom wins distance, but slow autofocus and noise hinder the overall experience.
• Sports: Neither is ideal; Canon’s precision for stationary shots is best.
• Street: Canon’s compactness and faster controls make it the clear favorite.
• Macro: Canon’s close focusing and manual control edge out Leica.
• Night/Astro: Canon’s superior high ISO and shutter speed range grant more creativity.
• Video: Both limited, but Canon’s stabilization and compression are better.
• Travel: Leica’s zoom and GPS might help, but bulk and image quality trade-offs matter.
• Professional Work: Neither replaces pro gear; Canon’s RAW support is useful but limited.

Final Scores and Wrap-Up

Summing up my testing and evaluation, here’s where these cameras land:

• Canon PowerShot S95: Outstanding image quality for its class, balanced feature set, and excellent handling. A genuine enthusiast compact.
• Leica V-Lux 20: Versatile zoom and decent feature inclusion but held back by smaller sensor and slower controls.

Recommendations Tailored to Your Needs

Choose the Canon PowerShot S95 if…

• You prioritize image quality, better control, and compactness.
• Your photography includes portraits, street, landscapes, or low-light scenes.
• You want manual exposure, RAW support, and dependable autofocus in a pocket-sized camera.
• Budget-conscious but don’t want to compromise core photographic results.

Choose the Leica V-Lux 20 if…

• You absolutely need a superzoom in a compact package for wildlife or distant subjects.
• You value GPS tagging and internal storage.
• Size and weight are less crucial than zoom reach.
• You can live with somewhat noisier images and slower focus.

Parting Thoughts

Both the Canon S95 and Leica V-Lux 20 represent fascinating snapshots of compact camera design from 2010, each solving different user demands. As someone who has measured sensor performance, tested autofocus precision, and scrutinized handling over thousands of shots, I find the Canon’s approach more rewarding for discerning photographers. Leica’s V-Lux 20 offers a compelling zoom, but for image fidelity and shooting pleasure, Canon still leads.

I hope this comparison informs your choice clearly. Feel free to revisit the sample images and specs as you weigh your decision. Photography is as much about enjoyment and vision as specs, and either way, these cameras can serve as trusty companions on your creative journey.

Happy shooting!