Canon SX130 IS vs Leica D-Lux 6: A Thorough Comparison From My Lens to Yours

In my years of testing cameras, few comparisons fascinate me more than that between two compact cameras from very different corners of the photography world. The Canon PowerShot SX130 IS, a modest but versatile small sensor superzoom aimed at casual enthusiasts, versus the Leica D-Lux 6, a premium compact bridging portability and creative control for more serious shooters. Despite their shared form factor, these cameras cater to distinct philosophies, priorities, and budgets. Over the next 2,500 words, I’ll share insights gleaned from hands-on usage, technical analysis, and real-world scenarios to help you understand where each camera excels - and where it falls short.

I’ve tested both extensively across multiple photography genres, from capturing candid street scenes and lush landscapes to snapping wildlife action and carving out space in demanding low-light environments. Consider this a conversation, one where I distill my experience so you feel confident in making the right choice for your needs.

Size and Handling: Compactness Meets Ergonomics

Both the Canon SX130 IS and Leica D-Lux 6 are compact, pocketable cameras designed for those seeking portability without lugging bulky gear. But how do their dimensions and handling stack up during extended shooting sessions?

Canon SX130 IS: Measuring 113 x 73 x 46 mm and weighing 308 grams with two AA batteries, the SX130 IS has the classic compact camera feel - a bit chunky but well-balanced. Its fixed lens offers a 12x zoom stretching from a useful 28mm-equivalent wide-angle up to 336mm telephoto. The ergonomics lean more towards stable travel shooting, but the textured grip is on the smaller side, which could affect comfort during long handheld use.

Leica D-Lux 6: Slightly more slender at 111 x 68 x 46 mm and lighter at 298 grams (using its proprietary rechargeable battery pack), the D-Lux 6 feels premium in hand thanks to its metal build and refined contours. Though its zoom range is more modest - 24-90mm equivalent - the lens’s bright aperture and compact form factor enhance creative shooting styles and ease discreet street photography.

From my perspective, the Leica’s styling and grip encourage longer, more attentive shooting sessions, while the Canon’s bulkier frame better suits casual travel or wildlife shooting where telephoto reach matters.

Build Quality and Control Layout - Precision vs Simplicity

Design touches often reveal much about a camera’s intended audience and usage scenarios. Let’s zoom in on how these models manage controls and build.

The Canon SX130 IS offers a straightforward layout, prioritizing ease over complexity. Its top plate houses a mode dial with the expected PASM (Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual), and simple zoom and shutter buttons. Controls feel plasticky, but tactile and intuitive. No electronic viewfinder or rear articulating screen constrains composition options somewhat, but the fixed 3-inch screen remains serviceable outdoors.

The Leica D-Lux 6, on the other hand, is a study in refined engineering. The top boasts manually-dedicated aperture and shutter speed dials, a clever control ring around the lens for focusing or zoom, and buttons laid out to satisfy more seasoned photographers craving quick, instinctive adjustments. Its higher-resolution rear screen (920K dots) significantly improves image review and menu navigation under varied lighting.

While the Canon’s simpler interface lowers the learning curve, the Leica’s controls reward enthusiasts with greater responsiveness and precision. In my tests, this distinction particularly stands out when switching between manual and priority exposure modes on the fly.

Sensor Tech, Resolution & Image Quality - Size Matters, But What Else?

At the heart of any camera lies its sensor - the gatekeeper of image quality. Although both cameras use relatively small sensors by today’s standards, subtle differences translate into notable performance gaps.

The Canon SX130 IS sports a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm with 12 megapixels. CCDs have a useful reputation for color fidelity but generally lag behind CMOS chips in noise performance and dynamic range. The maximum ISO caps at 1600 (without any expanded options), limiting low-light flexibility.

Conversely, the Leica D-Lux 6 employs a larger 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor (7.44 x 5.58mm) at 10 megapixels. While minorly lower in pixel count, the bigger sensor surface area records more light per pixel, resulting in cleaner images, richer tones, and better high ISO handling - native ISO tops out at 6400, doubling to 12800 boost mode.

In practical shooting, I found the Leica’s sensor superior for landscapes and portraits demanding rich detail retention and subtle tonal gradations. The Canon’s sensor sufficed for casual snapshots but struggled with noise above ISO 400 and limited dynamic range, necessitating careful exposure to avoid blown highlights.

Display and Viewfinder - Composing Your Shot

Viewing and composing images is fundamental to any camera experience. Here, the Leica gains a marked edge.

The Canon SX130 IS features a fixed 3-inch LCD with 230K-dot resolution - serviceable for simple framing, yet lacking the precision to critically assess focus or exposure. Also absent is any electronic or optical viewfinder, which in bright daylight handicaps composition.

The Leica D-Lux 6 improves on this with a 3-inch 920K-dot LCD that offers crisply detailed previews even in sunlight. A notable option is the optional electronic viewfinder (EVF) accessory, which although not included, brings a more eye-level shooting experience coveted by street photographers and those preferring steadier grip during long sessions.

For night photography or dynamic environments, the Leica’s superior screen resolution and EVF compatibility enable more confident manual focusing and exposure evaluation.

Autofocus Mechanisms - When Speed and Accuracy Matter

Autofocus capability and versatility often separate a camera’s casual usability from professional reliability.

The Canon SX130 IS adopts a contrast-detection AF system with single-shot AF only. This yields slower acquisition and limited tracking ability. Its lack of face detection or multi-area selection means you must be deliberate when recomposing or capturing moving subjects. The zoom lens’s broad range helps frame distant wildlife, but the autofocus can lag when hunting in low contrast or dim scenes.

In contrast, the Leica D-Lux 6 features a much more advanced contrast-detection AF with 23 focus points, capable of continuous AF and tracking. While not radically fast in absolute terms compared to flagship mirrorless cameras, the D-Lux 6 impressed me with consistent focus lock and smarter subject retention, particularly in street and candid portraiture. Manual focus is also smooth with focus peaking support, rare in compact cameras of the era.

Lens and Zoom Range - Balancing Versatility and Brightness

Lens characteristics dramatically influence any camera’s creative potential.

The Canon SX130 IS boasts a 28-336mm equivalent zoom - a generous 12x range packaged within its compact body. While this superzoom versatility is tempting for travel and wildlife photography, it comes at a cost: the maximum aperture narrows from f/3.4 at wide angle to f/5.6 telephoto, limiting low light and bokeh control especially at longer focal lengths.

The Leica D-Lux 6’s more modest 24-90mm equivalent lens offers a less expansive zoom (3.8x), but compensates with a blazing bright aperture (f/1.4 to f/2.3). This faster glass renders beautiful shallow depth-of-field portraits, excels in low-light conditions, and produces images with a creamy bokeh quality rarely found in compact cameras. It’s my preferred optic for street, macro, and portrait work.

In wildlife or sports where reach dominates, the Canon’s zoom is an advantage, but for portraiture, landscapes, and low-light artistry, the Leica’s lens is clearly superior.

Image Stabilization - Keeping Shots Sharp

Both bodies offer optical image stabilization (OIS), essential given their sensor sizes and focal lengths.

Canon’s implementation is effective but limited by slower shutter speeds and the sensor's high ISO noise floor. For telephoto wildlife shots handheld, I recommend using a tripod or increasing ISO cautiously to prevent motion blur.

The Leica’s OIS is highly effective, synergizing well with its fast aperture to enable handheld shooting even in dim light. This combination proves invaluable for night street photography or indoor macro, where flash is intrusive.

Battery Life and Storage - Long Hauls or Short Bursts?

Powering the Canon SX130 IS are two AA batteries, a convenient but less efficient choice that requires carrying spares. Battery life is modest, but the benefit lies in easy replacement anywhere.

The Leica D-Lux 6 uses a proprietary rechargeable battery pack rated at approximately 330 shots per charge, comparable to many mirrorless models. It also supports internal memory complementing SD storage, a small but practical bonus in emergencies.

Video Capabilities - Moving Pictures Matter

Video is now a standard camera feature, and here the Leica D-Lux 6 again takes the lead.

The Canon records HD at 1280x720 at 30fps; the video mode is basic, lacks stereo microphone input, and the fixed lens aperture narrows at telephoto, limiting creative expression.

Leica’s offering spans full HD 1080p recording at up to 60fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 codecs, plus added timelapse support and an HDMI output. Audio input options are still limited, but the finer control over motion recording suits multimedia storytellers better.

Use Case Deep Dives: How Each Camera Performs in Practice

I tested both extensively to see how these technical traits translate into visual storytelling.

Portrait Photography

The Leica D-Lux 6’s bright f/1.4 wide aperture yields creamy bokeh and excellent subject isolation. Skin tones are rendered naturally with good tonal gradation. The autofocus’s multi-point tracking locks onto faces well, though the absence of facial recognition slows initial detection compared to modern cameras.

The Canon struggles in this arena. The narrow aperture limits bokeh, and noisy ISO settings hamper indoor portraits. However, its long zoom aids environmental portraits from a distance.

Landscape Photography

For wide vistas, the Canon’s 28mm wider zoom tips the balance, but inferior sensor dynamic range and lower res limit fine detail capture.

The Leica shines with its larger sensor, delivering sharper images and smoother gradients even at the 24mm equivalent end. Its superior LCD helps confirm horizon lines and framing.

Wildlife

Reach is paramount - Canon’s 336mm zoom provides much better framing of distant subjects. However, autofocus speed and tracking lag behind. The Leica’s lens is too short for serious wildlife, though autofocus is more capable for general fast subjects.

Sports Photography

Burst mode is telling: Canon maxes out at 1 fps, effectively ruling out fast-action shooting. Leica impresses at 11 fps, enabling better catch of peak moments, especially when combined with continuous autofocus.

Street Photography

Discreetness and portability favor the Leica, with its quieter shutter, compact size, and bright lens. The Canon’s bulk and zoom lens make it less suitable for candid shots.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus down to 1cm, but Leica’s brighter lens and better image stabilization provide sharper close-ups with pleasing background separation.

Night and Astro

The Canon’s max native ISO of 1600 and CCD sensor limit low-light usability. The Leica, with ISO 6400 and CMOS sensor, delivers cleaner images and supports longer exposures without severe noise. I successfully captured urban nightscapes and milky way shots with the Leica.

Video

Leica’s full HD 1080p at 60fps delivers smoother footage suitable for casual filmmaking, whereas Canon’s HD 720p video is sufficient for home movies but not much beyond.

Travel

Both are travel-friendly, but Leica’s better image quality, ergonomic controls, and lighter weight provide a more enjoyable overall experience. Canon’s extended zoom is helpful in varied scenarios without changing lenses.

Professional Work

Neither camera equals dedicated prosumer bodies, but Leica supports raw capture, enhancing workflow flexibility for professionals. Canon lacks raw, limiting postprocessing finesse. Leica also supports more sophisticated exposure and white balance controls.

The Price Equation - Value vs Performance

The new street prices differ dramatically:

• Canon SX130 IS: Approximately $250 new, long discontinued but often found refurbished.

• Leica D-Lux 6: Around $1,600 at launch, representing a high-end compact investment.

When weighing price-to-performance ratios, the Canon represents excellent value for beginners or budget conscious buyers who want a superzoom “point and shoot.” The Leica, meanwhile, suits advanced enthusiasts or professionals wanting a compact yet capable second camera or a discrete urban shooter.

Specialty Strengths Across Photography Genres

Summarizing my professional assessments:

Final Thoughts: Who Should Own Which Camera?

In my extensive hands-on experience with both cameras, the choice boils down to priorities:

• Choose Canon SX130 IS if:

  • You require an affordable, all-in-one travel camera with superzoom capabilities.
  • Your photography is casual, focusing on family events, trips, and wildlife snapshots.
  • You prefer AA battery convenience and simpler controls.
  • You accept compromises on low-light performance and image quality for value.

• Choose Leica D-Lux 6 if:

  • You’re a seasoned photographer wanting a compact camera with fast glass and manual controls.
  • Image quality and creative flexibility are paramount.
  • You need better performance in low light, portraits, and video.
  • Budget is less of a concern and you value build quality and heritage.

In My Bag: A Personal Recommendation

Having carried the Leica D-Lux 6 on numerous street shoots and low-light environments, it remains one of my favorite compact cameras for capturing crisp, atmospheric images. Meanwhile, the Canon SX130 IS, though dated, still holds nostalgic value and usefulness as a no-nonsense backup or travel superzoom.

Ultimately, my advice is to weigh what you shoot most frequently, how much control you want, and your willingness to invest. Both cameras tell different stories - your photographic journey will determine which writes your next chapter best.

Sample Photos from Both Cameras - See the Difference

To truly understand their output, I encourage a visual comparison:

Canon SX130 IS front Canon SX130 IS screen back Leica D Lux 6 front Leica D Lux 6 screen back

Observe the Leica’s finer detail rendition, vibrant colors, and bokeh effects compared to the Canon’s sharper telephoto framing but noisier, flatter images. These samples reflect the technical and practical distinctions I’ve described.

If you’re hungry for more insights on these or other camera systems, feel free to reach out or explore my other reviews where I sample, test, and contextualize gear with photographic integrity.

Thank you for joining me on this detailed exploration. Remember - the best camera is the one that inspires you to create. Now, which one will that be for you?