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Leica C vs Sony S950

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
59
Overall
45
Leica C front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Leica C vs Sony S950 Key Specs

Leica C
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Introduced September 2013
  • Also referred to as Typ112
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Leica C vs Sony S950 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Leica C versus Sony S950, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the C (12MP) and the S950 (10MP) is pretty close but the C (1/1.7") and S950 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The C was unveiled 4 years after the S950 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the C grades versus the S950 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica C over the Sony S950

 C S950 
IntroducedSeptember 2013February 2009More modern by 56 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Leica C

 S950 C 

Common features in the Leica C and Sony S950

 C S950 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Leica C vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Leica C provides outside measurements of 103mm x 63mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Sony S950 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Contrast the Leica C versus Sony S950 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the C versus the S950.

Leica C vs Sony S950 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the C and S950 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Leica C vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Leica C vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by looking through specs. The picture below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the C and S950.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The C with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Leica C will result in extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer C will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica C vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Leica C vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica C vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica C as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S950 as a Portrait photography camera
41
you can focus manually
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
25
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica C
Street photography with Sony S950
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica C as a Sports photography camera
Sony S950 as a Sports photography camera
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
24
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica C as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
64
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica C as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
53
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse mode
31
you can focus manually
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica C as a Vlogging camera
Sony S950 as a Vlogging camera
39
really wide (28mm)
great max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
9
can't shoot video
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Leica C vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica C and Sony S950
 Leica CSony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica C Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Also referred to as Typ112 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2013-09-08 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-200mm (7.1x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-5.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 1% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 2 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
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 195 grams (0.43 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 63 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $1,299 $130