Leica C-Lux vs Olympus XZ-2 iHS

Its time to look more closely at the Leica C-Lux versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Leica and Olympus. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the C-Lux (20MP) and XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and the C-Lux (1") and XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") posses totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The C-Lux was revealed 5 years later than the XZ-2 iHS and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Leica C-Lux being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the C-Lux scores versus the XZ-2 iHS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica C-Lux & Olympus XZ-2 iHS. The full galleries are provided at Leica C-Lux Gallery & Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery.

In case you're intending to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica C-Lux comes with external dimensions of 113mm x 67mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 340 grams (0.75 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-2 iHS has measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") having a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs).

Look at the Leica C-Lux versus Olympus XZ-2 iHS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the C-Lux vs the XZ-2 iHS.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the C-Lux and XZ-2 iHS is 85 and 85 respectively.

Usually, it is very difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by reading specs. The graphic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the C-Lux and XZ-2 iHS.

All in all, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The C-Lux using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Leica C-Lux will deliver more detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern C-Lux is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.