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Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Leica D-LUX 5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
34
Features
44
Overall
38

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Released August 2009
Leica D-LUX 5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 66 x 43mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Successor is Leica D-Lux 6
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Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Leica. The resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the D-LUX 5 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and D-LUX 5 (1/1.63") offer different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The SX120 IS was introduced 13 months earlier than the D-LUX 5 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the SX120 IS matches up against the D-LUX 5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Leica D-LUX 5

 SX120 IS D-LUX 5 

Reasons to pick Leica D-LUX 5 over the Canon SX120 IS

 D-LUX 5 SX120 IS 
LaunchedSeptember 2010August 2009More modern by 13 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Leica D-LUX 5

 SX120 IS D-LUX 5 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS has outer dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Leica D-LUX 5 has measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

See the Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 in our newest Camera plus 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. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SX120 IS vs the D-LUX 5.

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SX120 IS and D-LUX 5 is 87 and 88 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and D-LUX 5.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have the same resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS comes with the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field trickier. The more aged SX120 IS is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography highlights
Leica D-LUX 5 Portrait photography highlights
33
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
40
you can focus manually
saves RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography features
Leica D-LUX 5 Street photography features
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
heavier than competition (285g)
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/1.63")
heavier than competitors (271 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography factors
Leica D-LUX 5 Sports photography factors
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Leica D-LUX 5
51
has built in flash
great reach (360mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (285 grams)
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
59
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (271g)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography advice
Leica D-LUX 5 Landscape photography advice
36
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
52
you can focus manually
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX120 IS
Vlogging with Leica D-LUX 5
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (36mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic socket
heavier than competition (285 grams)
29
quite wide (24mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
heavier than competitors (271 grams)
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Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Leica D-LUX 5
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISLeica D-LUX 5
General Information
Company Canon Leica
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Leica D-LUX 5
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-08-19 2010-09-21
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/1.63"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 24-90mm (3.8x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/2.0-3.3
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 6.3 4.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 7.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lbs) 271 grams (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 110 x 66 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
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