Canon PowerShot S95 vs Leica V-Lux 40: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing a compact camera that balances portability with versatile performance can be tricky, especially when options like the Canon PowerShot S95 and Leica V-Lux 40 sit on the table. Both cameras offer something special but cater to slightly different shooting styles and demands. Having spent years rigorously testing cameras across multiple genres - from portrait to wildlife - I’m here to break down how these two stack up in real-world use, helping you decide which one deserves a spot in your kit.

Let’s dive in.

Getting to Know the Contenders: Canon S95 and Leica V-Lux 40

First off, some context. The Canon PowerShot S95 is a small sensor compact announced back in late 2010. It’s an evolution of the well-loved Canon S90, known for packing manual controls and raw shooting into a pocket-friendly body. On the other hand, the Leica V-Lux 40 arrived in 2012 as a small sensor superzoom compact, boasting a massive 20x zoom range that’s significantly broader than the S95’s modest 3.8x.

Physically, both are lightweight and easy to carry - Canon at about 195 grams and Leica around 210 grams - but the Leica is slightly wider and deeper, reflecting its superzoom ambitions. The S95’s more svelte dimensions might appeal if pocketability tops your priority list.

Design, Handling, and Controls: Fingers Know Best

When it comes to ergonomics, both cameras cater to strong manual operation, but the Canon S95 really sings for those who love direct control with minimal menus. Its Digic 4 processor pairs with a straightforward control layout, including a dedicated aperture ring around the lens. I’ve always appreciated how Canon gives you clubs for thumbs here.

Leica’s V-Lux 40, while still compact, leans a bit more into a touchscreen interface - even featuring a 3-inch 461k dot screen with touch sensitivity - something the S95 skipped. The touch layer can speed up menu navigation, but in bright sunlight, I often found myself missing physical dials and buttons for rapid adjustment. The Leica also lacks a dedicated manual focus ring or aperture ring, which might frustrate photographers who prefer tactile engagement.

Both cameras miss an electronic viewfinder, so you’re relying on the LCD for composition and review - something to consider if you shoot in bright outdoor conditions often.

Image Sensors and Picture Quality: Chip and Clarity

Here’s where things get interesting. The Canon S95 sports a 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor measuring about 41.5 mm² with 10-megapixels resolution. In contrast, the Leica V-Lux 40 uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor (27.7 mm²) boasting 14 megapixels. Now, more pixels on a smaller chip often means smaller photosites, which can impact noise performance.

My lab tests and real-world comparisons revealed that the S95 has a slight edge in dynamic range and color depth, thanks to the cleaner CCD sensor and the Canon Digic 4 processor’s excellent color science. It captures skin tones with warmth and accuracy, making it a solid choice for portraiture when paired with its fast f/2.0 lens at the wide end.

The Leica’s CMOS sensor enables faster data readout and better video performance, but it trades some image purity, especially in low light, where the higher pixel density on a small sensor can cause noticeable noise starting at ISO 800.

Notably, the S95 maxes out its native ISO at 3200, while the Leica claims up to 6400, but with diminishing returns beyond ISO 1600 in my hands-on experience.

Autofocus and Speed: Who Reacts Quicker?

Both cameras employ contrast-detection AF systems without phase detection - typical for compacts of their generation. But with 9 AF points on the S95 and 23 on the V-Lux 40, you might expect Leica to be the quicker autofocus beast.

In practice, I found the Leica’s AF to be snappier and more reliable, especially in continuous autofocus and tracking modes - a direct benefit of its more modern contrast-detection algorithms. The S95’s AF can be sluggish, locking focus single-shot only and lacking any kind of face or eye detection. For quick street photography moments where split seconds count, that’s a downside.

On burst rates, Leica’s 10 fps burst capability easily outpaces the S95’s one frame per second. This certainly favors action and wildlife shooters who need to capture fast movements.

Lens and Zoom Versatility: Fixed, But Quite Different

The Canon S95 features a fixed 28-105mm equivalent 3.8x zoom with a bright f/2.0 aperture at the wide end fading to f/4.9 telephoto. The Leica V-Lux 40, however, boasts a whopping 24-480mm equivalent 20x zoom, starting at f/3.3 and narrowing to f/6.4.

This huge zoom range sets Leica apart for those craving all-in-one convenience: ultra-wide landscapes, portraits, and distant subjects (including some wildlife) without changing gear. The Clark Kent of compacts, you might say, trading off aperture speed and compactness for reach.

Macro focus range is slightly better on the Leica at 3cm, compared to 5cm on the Canon - so if close-up photography is your jam, the Leica has a slight upper hand.

Image Stabilization, Shutter, and ISO: Steady Shots in Any Light

Both cameras use optical image stabilization, critical for handheld shooting, especially at longer zooms or slower shutter speeds. I found both systems to be effective but not magical; they help steady your shots by around 2-3 stops, consistent with typical compact camera stabilization.

The Canon’s shutter speed ranges from 15 seconds to 1/1600, whereas Leica extends max shutter speed to 1/2000 second, adding a bit more versatility for bright conditions and action freezes.

ISO sensitivity varies a lot on paper: Canon scales from 80 to 3200 native while Leica goes 100 to 6400 native. In real terms though, Leica's high ISO images get grainy from ISO 1600 upward, so I recommend sticking to 3200 or under on both for good image quality.

Video Capabilities: HD on the Go?

If video is a consideration, Leica V-Lux 40 has a decisive edge. It records full HD 1080p at 60fps, smoother and more flexible than the Canon’s HD 720p at 24fps. Leica also supports AVCHD recording (higher quality codec), while Canon relies on H.264.

Unfortunately, neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, and external audio options are not supported, limiting serious video work. Leica’s touchscreen helps with focusing during filming, but the lack of 4K or advanced video features might disappoint more ambitious content creators.

Battery Life and Storage: Stay Powered, Shoot Longer

Battery life is often overlooked but critical for travel and extended shoots. Leica’s battery is rated for about 210 shots per charge (modest by today’s standards), while the Canon S95’s battery life isn’t clearly specified, but from my experience, it’s slightly better, pulling a bit more than 250 shots on a full charge.

Storage-wise, both cameras use standard SD cards, though Leica also supports internal storage - handy in a pinch. Neither supports dual card slots or faster UHS-II cards, so enthusiasts looking for professional buffer buffers may want to look elsewhere.

Connectivity and Extras

Canon’s S95 supports Eye-Fi wireless card connection, enabling wireless image transfer with compatible SD cards - a neat bonus before Wi-Fi became standard.

Leica provides built-in GPS for geotagging images - a feature Canon lacks. Unfortunately, neither camera supports Bluetooth or NFC, meaning no smartphone tethering out of the box unlike more modern rivals.

How They Handle Across Photography Genres

Canon S95 front Canon S95 screen back Leica V Lux 40 front Leica V Lux 40 screen back

Portraits:

Canon’s wider aperture f/2.0 at 28mm and warm color rendering help produce pleasing skin tones and a natural shallow depth of field look. The Leica’s higher resolution sensor delivers sharper images but needs stopping down to f/3.3 or smaller for clarity, and its smaller sensor limits background blur. Lightroom tweaks often improve Leica’s cooler rendering for portraits.

Landscapes:

Leica’s ultra-wide 24mm equivalent is excellent to encompass vast vistas, while the S95 starts slightly tighter at 28mm. Both capture solid dynamic range under daylight, but Canon’s superior DR and color depth make highlights and shadows more nuanced. Neither camera offers weather sealing, so protect them from harsh elements.

Wildlife:

Leica’s 20x zoom wins hands down. I could track birds from a distance impossible with the S95’s 3.8x zoom. Faster burst rates and continuous autofocus on Leica boost capture chances of unpredictable wildlife moments.

Sports:

Again, Leica’s 10 fps, continuous AF, and decent shutter speed cap are advantageous. The Canon’s sluggish 1 fps burst and lack of tracking AF constrain action shooting.

Street:

Canon’s compact size, quicker aperture, and simpler interface appeal here. Leica’s touchscreen and larger body add bulk and can attract attention in candid scenarios.

Macro:

Both cameras offer decent macro but Leica’s closer 3cm focus and longer zoom give more framing flexibility.

Night & Astro:

Canon’s superior low-light ISO performance funneled through classic CCD sensor yields cleaner night shots. Leica’s higher ISO limits grain relief.

Video:

Hands down Leica takes the video crown, with smooth HD 60p, AVCHD format, and touch autofocus. Canon is serviceable but lags behind in flexibility and quality.

Travel:

For compactness and pocketability, Canon’s S95 leads. Leica’s broader zoom enhances versatility but adds size and weight.

Professional Use:

Neither camera is professional-grade per se, but Canon’s raw file support and better control aid in more serious workflows. Leica’s lack of raw support and touch focusing limit professional appeal, although solid build quality and GPS could be useful in field contexts.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras lack environmental sealing and rugged features such as dustproofing or waterproofing. Handle with care outdoors.

Value and Price-to-Performance

At launch, the Canon S95 retailed around $495 and the Leica V-Lux 40 about $699 - a significant difference.

Given its older sensor but superior image quality and compactness, the S95 presents an excellent value for those prioritizing still image quality and manual control in a pocketable size.

Leica’s V-Lux 40 commands a premium for its superzoom and video capabilities, but misses raw support and lags in still photo quality under certain conditions.

Summing Up the Strengths and Weaknesses

Canon PowerShot S95

Pros:

• Larger 1/1.7" CCD sensor offering better color depth and dynamic range
• Bright f/2.0 lens at wide end for low light and shallow depth of field
• Manual controls with aperture ring for quick tactile adjustments
• Compact and highly pocketable design
• Raw shooting for post-processing flexibility
• Slightly better battery life and Eye-Fi wireless support

Cons:

• Slow autofocus with no face or eye detection
• Very limited zoom range (3.8x max)
• Video limited to 720p at 24fps, no external mic input
• No touchscreen or modern connectivity options

Leica V-Lux 40

Pros:

• Massive 20x zoom (24-480mm) covering wide to super-telephoto
• Full HD 1080p video at 60fps with AVCHD format
• Continuous and touch autofocus with face detection
• Touchscreen interface for quicker menu control
• Built-in GPS for geotagging
• Faster shutter speeds and burst shooting (10 fps)

Cons:

• Smaller sensor size with higher pixel density results in more noise
• No raw image support for serious editing
• Slower lens (f/3.3-6.4) limiting low light and bokeh capabilities
• Slightly bulkier and less pocketable
• No wireless connectivity or battery life less than ideal

My Recommendations: Picking the Right Fit for Your Photography Journey

• Budget-Conscious Enthusiasts Prioritizing Still Image Quality: Choose Canon S95. It delivers punchy colors, better control, and cleaner low-light performance for portraits, landscapes, and street photography, all in a pocket-friendly body.

• Travelers and Adventure Shooters Wanting All-in-One Zoom and Video: Go for Leica V-Lux 40. Its 20x zoom bridges many focal lengths in a single package, and solid video specs add versatility, even if image quality at high ISO can be inconsistent.

• Wildlife and Sports Shooters on the Go: Leica’s faster burst rate, continuous AF, and reach make it more suitable despite limitations in image quality.

• Video Content Creators on a Budget: Leica V-Lux 40 edges out with full HD 60p support and touch focus options, despite lacking professional audio I/O.

• Macro and Close-up Fans: Leica’s closer minimum focus distance and zoom flexibility are advantages, but Canon remains competitive with its brighter lens.

• Professional Use for Workflow Integration: Canon S95’s raw files and manual controls make it slightly more professional-friendly.

Wrapping It Up

For enthusiasts with a tight budget craving better still photo quality and compactness, Canon’s PowerShot S95 remains a compelling choice even years after its release. Its larger sensor, fast aperture, and raw support create images that still hold their own, especially when you want to carry light.

Conversely, the Leica V-Lux 40 delivers unmatched zoom reach and video capabilities in the compact segment. It better suits those willing to trade some image purity for versatility and multimedia content creation.

Both cameras have limitations typical of their class and era, notably lack of weather sealing and limited manual focus options on Leica, but they shine within their intended uses. Your choice boils down to the balance you want between image quality, zoom range, video prowess, and portability.

If you’d like to explore more compact cameras balancing these tradeoffs or need lens suggestions paired to either, drop a note. Happy shooting!

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