Leica C vs Panasonic S3
92 Imaging
37 Features
59 Overall
45
96 Imaging
36 Features
24 Overall
31
Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
- 195g - 103 x 63 x 28mm
- Launched September 2013
- Alternate Name is Typ112
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2011
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Below is a thorough review of the Leica C vs Panasonic S3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Leica and Panasonic. The resolution of the C (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively close but the C (1/1.7") and S3 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe C was released 2 years later than the S3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the C grades against the S3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Reasons to pick Leica C over the Panasonic S3
| C | S3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2013 | January 2011 | More recent by 33 months | |
| Manual focus | Very accurate focusing | |||
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
| Screen resolution | 920k | 230k | Clearer screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Leica C
| S3 | C |
|---|
Common features in the Leica C and Panasonic S3
| C | S3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Neither offers selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither offers Touch screen |
Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica C offers outside dimensions of 103mm x 63mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has sizing of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).
Contrast the Leica C vs Panasonic S3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the C and the S3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the C and S3 is 92 and 96 respectively.
Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The visual here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the C and S3.
As you can tell, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The C because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic S3 will render greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger C is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder
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Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Specifications
| Leica C | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Leica | Panasonic |
| Model | Leica C | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 |
| Also Known as | Typ112 | - |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Launched | 2013-09-08 | 2011-01-05 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor | - | Venus Engine IV |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 12800 | - |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| AF touch | ||
| AF continuous | ||
| Single AF | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| Multi area AF | ||
| AF live view | ||
| Face detection focusing | ||
| Contract detection focusing | ||
| Phase detection focusing | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 11 |
| Cross focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens focal range | 28-200mm (7.1x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/2.0-5.9 | f/3.1-5.6 |
| Macro focus range | 3cm | 5cm |
| Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Screen resolution | 920 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder resolution | 200 thousand dot | - |
| Viewfinder coverage | 1% | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 8s |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 10.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 7.00 m | 3.30 m |
| Flash modes | 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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 195g (0.43 pounds) | 117g (0.26 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 103 x 63 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 250 shots | 250 shots |
| Style of battery | 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 |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Launch price | $1,299 | $110 |