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Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Leica D-LUX 5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Leica D-LUX 5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 66 x 43mm
  • Introduced September 2010
  • Successor is Leica D-Lux 6
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 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
  • Introduced January 2011
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Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Leica and Panasonic. The resolution of the D-LUX 5 (10MP) and the S1 (12MP) is relatively close but the D-LUX 5 (1/1.63") and S1 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The D-LUX 5 was introduced 3 months earlier than the S1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short highlight of how the D-LUX 5 scores against the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica D-LUX 5 over the Panasonic S1

 D-LUX 5 S1 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Leica D-LUX 5

 S1 D-LUX 5 

Common features in the Leica D-LUX 5 and Panasonic S1

 D-LUX 5 S1 
IntroducedSeptember 2010January 2011Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica D-LUX 5 provides outer measurements of 110mm x 66mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic S1 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the D-LUX 5 and the S1.

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D-LUX 5 and S1 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching specs. The visual underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D-LUX 5 and S1.

All in all, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The D-LUX 5 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic S1 will provide you with extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Portrait photography features
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography features
41
has manual focus
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
21
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Street photography details
Panasonic S1 Street photography details
59
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
more heavy than competitors in class (271g)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Sports photography info
Panasonic S1 Sports photography info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect auto focus
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
59
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (271 grams)
resolution not great (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
62
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica D-LUX 5
Landscape photography with Panasonic S1
52
has manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse function
33
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Vlogging features
Panasonic S1 Vlogging features
29
fairly wide (24mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Optical)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (271g)
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica D-LUX 5 and Panasonic S1
 Leica D-LUX 5Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica D-LUX 5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-09-21 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-90mm (3.8x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-3.3 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.20 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 271 grams (0.60 lb) 117 grams (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 240 shots
Battery type - 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
Pricing at launch $799 $269