Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5
87 Imaging
33 Features
28 Overall
31


88 Imaging
34 Features
44 Overall
38
Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX120 IS & Leica D-LUX 5. The whole galleries are provided at Canon SX120 IS Gallery & Leica D-LUX 5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Leica D-LUX 5
SX120 IS | D-LUX 5 |
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Reasons to pick Leica D-LUX 5 over the Canon SX120 IS
D-LUX 5 | SX120 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | More modern by 13 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Leica D-LUX 5 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS | Leica 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 |
Pricing at launch | $249 | $799 |