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Leica C vs Panasonic S3

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
59
Overall
45
Leica C front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
24
Overall
31

Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Leica C
(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
Panasonic S3
(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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Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Overview

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.

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The 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 
LaunchedSeptember 2013January 2011More recent by 33 months
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Leica C vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the C and S3 is 92 and 96 respectively.

Leica C vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C Portrait photography features
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
42
manual focus
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica C Street photography details
Panasonic S3 Street photography details
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica C
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica C Travel photography features
Panasonic S3 Travel photography features
64
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than others in class (117g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica C Landscape photography information
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography information
54
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse recording
37
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Leica C as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
39
really wide (28mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
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Leica C vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C and Panasonic S3
 Leica CPanasonic 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