Fujifilm X100S vs Leica C-Lux: Two Iconic Compact Cameras Put to the Test

In the realm of large sensor compact cameras, two models have captured the admiration of enthusiasts and professionals alike: the legendary Fujifilm X100S, a celebrated classic in street and portrait photography circles, and the versatile yet refined Leica C-Lux, a powerhouse offering an extraordinary focal length range packed in a sleek body. Having spent countless hours testing both cameras across vastly different scenarios, I’m excited to share with you a deep dive comparison rooted in practical, hands-on experience. Whether you’re chasing decisive moments on bustling streets, crafting stunning portraits, or venturing into landscapes or travel photography, this article aims to unpack the strengths and limitations of each camera with the clarity and insight you deserve.

First Impressions: Design and Ergonomics

One of the most immediate things that struck me was how these two cameras epitomize distinct philosophies in design.

The Fujifilm X100S, announced in the summer of 2013, harks back to classic rangefinder form factors. Its solid build, complete with a fixed 35mm equivalent f/2 lens and hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder, is designed for tactile, intentional shooting. Measuring 127 x 74 x 54 mm and weighing in at 445g, it feels substantial yet still pocketable in a jacket or messenger bag.

Contrastingly, the Leica C-Lux (released in mid-2018) embraces modern versatility. Its 24-360mm (15x zoom equivalent) lens promises huge focal length flexibility in a body only 113 x 67 x 46 mm and 340g - noticeably smaller and lighter than the X100S. Leica manages to pack this telephoto range without compromising portability. The fixed lens design simplifies things, but the zoom extends its educational reach into landscape, wildlife, and travel photography.

This size and weight difference might seem marginal, but in real-world handling - especially during long shooting sessions or travel adventures - I found the lighter C-Lux much less fatiguing. However, the X100S’s bigger, grippier body gives you confidence and precision when manually dialing aperture, shutter speed, or ISO.

Both cameras feature fixed rear LCDs - the X100S’s is a 2.8" / 460K dot TFT screen, while the C-Lux offers a brighter 3" / 1240K dot touchscreen that facilitates intuitive control and quick setting changes.

Ergonomically, the X100S leans heavily on traditional dials with dedicated rings for shutter speed, exposure compensation, and aperture. This arrangement suits photographers who value direct, mechanical operation and who prefer eye-level viewfinder shooting.

The C-Lux, by contrast, employs a more streamlined interface with touch control accessible on the LCD and fewer physical buttons. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) is excellent with 2330K dots and covers 100% frame, but lacks the hybrid option found in the X100S.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C vs 1-inch Formats

When it comes to imaging performance, sensor technology and size represent a fundamental dividing line between the two cameras.

The Fujifilm X100S features a 23.6 x 15.8 mm APS-C X-Trans II CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels - substantial real estate relative to compact cameras. Notably, it eschews the conventional Bayer filter for a proprietary color filter array designed to reduce moiré without an anti-aliasing filter. This decision gives Fuji cameras a hallmark sharpness and color fidelity that I’ve repeatedly seen in portrait and landscape work.

The larger sensor area (~373 mm²) translates directly into superior noise management and dynamic range. Although the max native ISO caps at 12,800, I found ISO 3200 shots maintain respectable detail and minimal chroma noise in practical usage. The X100S’s RAW files carry excellent latitude for post-processing, especially in highlight recovery and shadow detail.

By contrast, Leica’s C-Lux opts for a smaller 1"-type CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm) with 20 megapixels. Despite the higher pixel count, this smaller surface area (~116 mm²) naturally struggles more with noise at high ISOs.

Yet the C-Lux compensates with modern sensor design improvements and excellent processing algorithms. I tested it in various lighting conditions - from bright sunshine to dim indoor scenes. While noise becomes noticeable at ISO 3200 and above, the camera can still produce usable full-resolution images at 1600 ISO and below, ideal for travel and casual shooting.

Additionally, Leica’s sensor uses an anti-aliasing filter. This manifests as slightly softer textures straight out of camera but reduces moiré in demanding fabrics and architectural lines.

Color reproduction is an area where preferences may diverge. Fuji’s X-Trans sensor and Fujifilm’s renowned film simulation modes deliver rich, vibrant yet natural skin tones and landscapes that feel organic and painterly. The Leica’s color response is more neutral and true-to-life, favoring straightforward accuracy over stylization - ideal if you prefer to add your own creative touch in post.

Autofocus Systems and Shooting Responsiveness

One of the biggest technological leaps between these cameras lies in autofocus (AF) capabilities and shooting speed.

The X100S, despite its age, uses a contrast-detection AF system with 49 selectable points and multi-area AF modes. Unfortunately, it lacks face or eye detection and neither animal eye nor phase detection technology. This means that in fast-moving environments like street photography or informal events, AF performance can be sluggish or hunt aggressively in lower light. In daylight or static subjects, it remains acceptably reliable.

Continuous shooting clocks in at a solid 6 fps, which is sufficient for casual action photography but doesn’t rival enthusiast-level sports cameras.

The Leica C-Lux shines here with its more recent hybrid Contrast-Detection/Phase-Detection AF incorporating eye-detection - particularly useful for portraiture. It offers 49 focus points as well, but adds AF tracking, AF touch-to-focus on the rear screen, and improved low-light AF sensitivity.

The 10 fps burst rate is a boon for capturing fleeting wildlife moments, sports, or street action sequences. Autofocus is snappy and accurate in good light; it sustains tracking well through moderate movements though it can slow slightly at extreme conditions.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both in my professional workflow and outdoor explorations, build and durability matter a great deal.

Neither the Fujifilm X100S nor Leica C-Lux offer weather sealing, dustproofing, or freezeproofing. The X100S’s heftier magnesium alloy body feels more resilient to knocks and has that reassuring mechanical robustness characteristic of Fuji cameras. The lens barrel has metal accents, and the hybrid electronic/optical viewfinder adds a classic tool quality.

The C-Lux, while smaller and lighter, employs high-grade plastics and metal parts for a premium finish. Its design prioritizes portability and versatility over ruggedness - so it’s better treated carefully in harsher environments.

If you’re planning extended travel involving diverse weather or unpredictable conditions, investing in protective rain covers or camera-specific cases is prudent regardless.

Handling and User Interface in Real Use

The user interface experience between a more mechanical tactile system and a touch-enabled modern screen greatly affects daily photography comfort.

The X100S has no touchscreen, which might feel dated - especially when quickly navigating menus or reviewing images. However, the dedicated exposure dials and a crisp viewfinder encourage deliberate composition and camera control without fumbling.

In contrast, the C-Lux features a bright touchscreen that allows pinch-to-zoom on images, tap-to-focus, and swift menu navigation - a significant convenience for users who embrace live view shooting or prefer intuitively changing settings on the fly.

During candid street shooting, I appreciated the X100S’s directness - once set, it lets me operate mostly by feel, maintaining eye contact with subjects through the viewfinder, which is a huge compositional advantage.

Meanwhile, for travel or casual family shooting, I found the Leica’s touchscreen user interface a timesaver. Its intelligent autofocus and multiple focus modes invite experimentation that suits non-professional or hybrid photo-video workflows.

Lens and Focal Range: Fixed Prime vs Superzoom

This category might be the most conspicuous divergence in these two cameras.

The Fujifilm X100S is built around a fixed 35mm equivalent f/2 prime lens - a focal length that has won over generations of professional street, portrait, and documentary photographers. Its wide aperture and sharpness deliver beautiful bokeh and image separation, perfect for subject isolation in low light or tight spaces.

In contrast, the Leica C-Lux sports a zoom lens with an enormous range from 24mm wide angle to 360mm super-telephoto - a 15x optical zoom. While its maximum aperture narrows considerably from f/3.3 at wide angle to f/6.4 at the far telephoto end, the practical flexibility of this lens covers everything from sweeping landscapes to distant subjects such as wildlife or sports events.

On field shoots, I found:

• The X100S prime lens demands physical movement for framing, which creatively engages you with the scene - a big plus for users who enjoy the discipline of compositional immersion.

• The C-Lux zoom lens prevents you from missing moments that unfold beyond arm’s reach and means you can travel light without multiple lenses, a decisive advantage on trips.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh Magic

While both cameras serve as capable portrait tools, the Fuji X100S’s APS-C sensor coupled with the f/2 fixed prime stands out for its rendering of skin tones and background separation. The lack of an anti-aliasing filter helps achieve exceptional micro-contrast and fine detail in eyelashes and hair strands, lending portraits greater dimensionality.

On the other hand, the Leica’s 1-inch sensor and variable aperture mean shallower depth-of-field effects are more challenging to achieve - especially at longer focal lengths because of smaller sensor size - which slightly reduces natural bokeh quality.

However, C-Lux’s eye detection autofocus comes into its own here, allowing sharp rendering of eyes even in tricky lighting and spontaneous poses, an operational advantage over the manual-focus-fed system of the X100S.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Resolution

Back to sensor size: landscapes benefit enormously from higher dynamic range and resolution to capture subtle tonal gradations from shadows to highlights.

In my practice, the X100S’s larger sensor delivers more depth in skies, textured foliage, and rock surfaces. You can push shadows without much noise penalty and retain intricate details.

The Leica’s smaller sensor struggles to hold highlight detail under bright conditions but compensates with its super-telephoto reach that allows selective compression and framing of distant landscapes.

Wildlife and Sports: Autofocus and Burst Performance

The C-Lux is decisively more capable in wildlife and sports due to its fast 10 fps shooting and advanced AF tracking, plus the extended zoom range. This lets you shoot shy animals or distant field action unobtrusively.

The X100S’s limited 6 fps and contrast AF, combined with no autofocus tracking, make it less suitable for erratic motion or rapid bursts of activity.

Street and Travel Photography: Discretion vs Versatility

The Fuji X100S excels as a street camera: discreet, with a vintage look, quiet shutter, and eye-level viewfinder aiding unobtrusive candid shooting. Its size encourages hand-held operation and quick reactions.

The Leica C-Lux, lighter and smaller, is ideal for travel photography given its massive zoom range and touchscreen affordances. I found battery life slightly better on the C-Lux (370 shots vs 330 on X100S), a handy bonus for long days exploring.

Macro and Close-Up Work: How Close Can They Go?

The X100S boasts a macro focusing distance of about 10 cm, allowing detailed close-ups with natural bokeh - a boon for flower or product photography.

Leica C-Lux’s 5 cm macro range gives it an edge in tight focusing but the variable aperture and smaller sensor mean less creamy backgrounds at macro distances.

Night and Astrophotography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

APS-C sensors generally offer enhanced low-light performance over 1-inch models.

In practical low-light shooting, the X100S retains reasonable clarity and detail up to ISO 3200, while the C-Lux shows more noise creeping in, limiting its usability beyond ISO 1600.

For night sky enthusiasts, the Fuji’s manual control options and exposure modes provide greater flexibility. Although neither camera has specialized astro modes, raw support across both allows better edit scope later.

Video Recording: Specs and Stabilization

The Leica C-Lux features 4K UHD video at 30 fps and built-in optical image stabilization, making it more video-friendly, particularly handheld in dynamic environments.

The X100S maxes out at Full HD 1080p 60 fps, but lacks image stabilization and microphone/headphone jacks - limiting its appeal for serious videographers.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Considerations

The Leica C-Lux offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless image transfer and remote control, supporting smoother workflows in mobile environments.

The Fuji X100S includes Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer but lacks modern Bluetooth or NFC.

Both use a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot (UHS-I support on C-Lux) and proprietary battery packs, with similar battery life suited for casual day shoots.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

At their announced prices - approximately $1300 USD for the Fuji X100S and $1050 USD for the Leica C-Lux - you’re paying a premium for classic Fuji imaging and lens quality or Leica’s zoom flexibility and video capabilities.

The Fuji’s strengths in still image quality, particularly for portraits and landscapes, justify its price for photographers prioritizing image fidelity and tactile controls.

The Leica’s convenience, reach, and video functionality present compelling value for travel photographers or casual shooters looking for all-in-one features.

Sample Gallery: Imaging Style in Action

A brief visual comparison reveals the distinct character of each camera’s output.

Fujifilm X100S front Fujifilm X100S screen back Leica C Lux front Leica C Lux screen back

Fuji’s photos showcase pristine details, nuanced colors, and smooth tonal gradations, perfect for expressive portraits or street scenes rich with ambient light.

Leica’s shots demonstrate versatility, capturing expansive vistas or distant wildlife with surprising clarity, though with a slightly softer rendering and restrained color palette.

In Closing: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Fujifilm X100S if…

• You prioritize ultimate image quality with an APS-C sensor and prime lens
• You enjoy manual controls and vintage styling for street or portrait photography
• You value film simulation modes and classic color rendering out-of-camera
• You don’t mind a fixed focal length and manual focus adjustments occasionally
• You are comfortable with older AF technology and a non-touch interface
• You seek a camera with a hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder for precise framing

Opt for the Leica C-Lux if…

• You want a versatile all-in-one zoom lens from 24-360mm for travel, wildlife, and casual use
• You appreciate modern autofocus features like eye detection and subject tracking
• Video recording in 4K with image stabilization matters to your workflow
• You prefer an intuitive touchscreen interface and lighter weight
• Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) is important for your mobile editing
• You seek a compact, easy-to-carry camera for diverse photographic situations

Both cameras are exceptional devices, but their fundamental design choices target different photographic philosophies and practical needs. My testing experience affirms that understanding those priorities will lead you to the right match for your creative journey.

If you have questions about specific use cases or want recommendations for complementary lenses or accessories, feel free to reach out - I’m always eager to help photographers make informed decisions grounded in real-world performance.

Happy shooting!