Clicky

Leica C vs Panasonic S2

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
59
Overall
46
Leica C front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 Key Specs

Leica C
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
  • 195g - 103 x 63 x 28mm
  • Announced September 2013
  • Additionally Known as Typ112
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Leica C vs Panasonic S2, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Leica and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the C (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is relatively close but the C (1/1.7") and S2 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The C was unveiled 21 months after the S2 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the C grades versus the S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica C over the Panasonic S2

 C S2 
IntroducedSeptember 2013January 2012Newer by 21 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Leica C

 S2 C 

Common features in the Leica C and Panasonic S2

 C S2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica C provides exterior dimensions of 103mm x 63mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Panasonic S2 has sizing of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Contrast the Leica C vs Panasonic S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the C versus the S2.

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the C and S2 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching specs. The image here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the C and S2.

All in all, both cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The C with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic S2 will result in extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher C will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
42
you can focus manually
provides face detection focus
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
34
decent MP (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Leica C as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Leica C as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
39
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect auto focus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
great battery life (280 shots)
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Leica C Travel photography factors
Panasonic S2 Travel photography factors
64
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery life (280 shots)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Leica C Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography highlights
54
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/1.7")
no Timelapse recording
41
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
great battery life (280 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Leica C Vlogging features
Panasonic S2 Vlogging features
39
reasonably wide (28mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
33
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Leica C vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C and Panasonic S2
 Leica CPanasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica C Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Also Known as Typ112 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2013-09-08 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-200mm (7.1x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 920k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 1 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 195 grams (0.43 pounds) 112 grams (0.25 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 63 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life 250 shots 280 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $1,299 $109