Leica D-LUX 5 vs Panasonic SZ5

Let's look more closely at the Leica D-LUX 5 and Panasonic SZ5, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Leica and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the D-LUX 5 (10MP) and SZ5 (14MP) and the D-LUX 5 (1/1.63") and SZ5 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizing.

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The D-LUX 5 was brought out 22 months before the SZ5 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the D-LUX 5 grades vs the SZ5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica D-LUX 5 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5. The entire galleries are available at Leica D-LUX 5 Gallery & Panasonic SZ5 Gallery.

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica D-LUX 5 has got outside dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Check the Leica D-LUX 5 and Panasonic SZ5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the D-LUX 5 vs the SZ5.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D-LUX 5 and SZ5 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Typically, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading through specs. The photograph here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the D-LUX 5 and SZ5.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The D-LUX 5 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic SZ5 will give you extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The older D-LUX 5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.