Leica D-LUX 5 vs Samsung SL30: A Deep Dive Into Compact Camera Classics

When it comes to compact cameras, especially models that have been around for a decade or so, it’s easy to overlook how much subtlety can still shape your shooting experience. Today, I’m comparing two small-sensor compacts from that era: the Leica D-LUX 5 and the Samsung SL30 (also known as the ES15). They both target enthusiasts craving a pocketable option but come with quite different design philosophies, image quality attributes, and user features.

Having tested both extensively in various settings over the years, I’ll walk you through the nuts and bolts - from sensor performance and autofocus quirks to ergonomics and real-world shooting scenarios. My goal: help you see beyond the spec sheet and decide whether either of these cameras suits your photographic style and budget.

Let’s start by sizing them up - literally.

Size, Feel, and Handling: Does Bigger Mean Better?

Compact cameras pride themselves on portability, but how the Leica D-LUX 5 and Samsung SL30 size up physically tells us a lot about their intended users. The Leica D-LUX 5 is noticeably chunkier and heavier at 271 grams, with physical dimensions of 110 x 66 x 43 mm. This heft, combined with its retro-inspired styling and solid metal body, gives a reassuring grip and a premium feel that will appeal to photographers who prefer an “old-school” tactile experience.

In contrast, the Samsung SL30 is feather-light at 140 grams with a slimmer profile (94 x 61 x 23 mm). It’s made predominantly from plastic, designed for straightforward “grab-and-go” usage. It slips into a pocket with ease and doesn’t draw much attention - traits beneficial for casual street photography or travelers who value minimalism.

Ergonomics-wise, I personally found the Leica easier to hold steadily, especially during longer shoots. Its protruding palm rest and dial placements create a more deliberate shooting posture. The Samsung’s minimalistic shape sacrifices some of that tactile feedback, which can feel a bit toy-like when holding it for extended periods.

If you often shoot outdoors, consider this: the Leica’s robust build inspires confidence, although neither camera offers weather-sealing. So, while the D-LUX 5 feels closer to a professional tool, the SL30 is designed for lightweight practicality.

Top Controls and User Interface: Where Simplicity Meets Control

Moving beyond size to interface design, the Leica D-LUX 5 and Samsung SL30 diverge even further in terms of physical controls and shooting workflow.

The Leica has a thoughtfully arranged top plate featuring dedicated dials for shutter speed and aperture, giving you tactile control over exposure without diving into menus. This immediate access is a dream for photographers who appreciate precision and speed - and it reflects Leica’s heritage rooted in classic rangefinder cameras.

On the other hand, the Samsung SL30 offers a more stripped-back control scheme, primarily relying on button menus and a mode dial with presets. It lacks manual shutter speed or aperture control, which means it’s better suited for users comfortable with the camera making exposure decisions on your behalf.

The Leica’s feature richness also extends to customizable white balance and exposure compensation options (±2 EV in 1/3 increments) - something the Samsung can’t match.

So, if you like taking command and appreciating every millisecond of shutter timing, the D-LUX 5 is a clear winner here. But if you want straightforward snap-and-shoot simplicity with some auto help, the SL30 fits the bill.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Size, Resolution, and Performance Metrics

Here is where things get particularly interesting and nuanced.

Both cameras sport 10-megapixel CCD sensors - a technology that dominated compact cameras before CMOS took over. However, sensor size differs dramatically: the Leica houses a 1/1.63” sensor (approx. 44.87 mm²), whereas the Samsung goes smaller with a 1/2.3” sensor (27.72 mm²).

From my lab tests and extensive shootouts, that difference alone translates into a visible gap in image quality. Larger sensor area on the Leica means better light-gathering ability, lower noise levels at base and higher ISOs, and generally more dynamic range.

Both cameras include an anti-aliasing filter, which smooths out moiré but slightly softens fine detail. The Leica’s optics, combined with the sensor size, deliver punchier textures and faithful color reproduction, especially in good light. The Samsung struggles to maintain the same clarity and tends to produce noisier, less vibrant images by comparison, particularly when shooting indoors or in shadows.

The Leica’s ISO sensitivity range extends up to ISO 12800, though noise becomes intrusive beyond ISO 800 in most real-world scenarios. The Samsung caps around ISO 1600, and noise appears much earlier, making high-ISO shooting a less viable option.

For photographers interested in RAW shooting, the Leica supports it natively, providing more latitude in post-processing. The Samsung disappoints here - no RAW support, so you’re stuck with JPEGs straight from the camera, which limits editing flexibility.

Despite sensor technology and raw support advantages, both cameras’ resolutions max out at 3648x2736 pixels, sufficient for moderate-sized prints and online sharing.

In sum: The Leica D-LUX 5’s sensor is clearly superior for image quality, color fidelity, and editing potential. The Samsung SL30 plays catch-up and suits more casual shooters who don’t require professional-grade fidelity.

Viewing and Touch Interaction: How You Compose Matters

The rear screens on these cameras reveal much about user interaction paradigms.

The Leica D-LUX 5 has a 3-inch fixed LCD with 460k-dot resolution - an impressively sharp and vibrant panel for its generation. The display provides clear framing assistance and good visibility even in bright conditions, making manual focus and menu navigation comfortable.

The Samsung SL30’s screen is smaller (2.5 inches) with a lower 230k-dot resolution, resulting in a grainier, dimmer image preview. Both lack touchscreen functionality, so navigation relies on physical buttons - a bit less intuitive for quick adjustments, but par for the course in budget compacts of that time.

The Leica offers optional electronic viewfinder support (sold separately), which can be a significant aid in strong sunlight or precise composition scenarios. Samsung, on the other hand, doesn’t provide any viewfinder option, limiting you to LCD framing only.

For those who rely heavily on composing via the rear screen or need sharp previewing tools, the D-LUX 5 again pulls ahead here.

Autofocus and Focusing Performance: Precision vs Convenience

Autofocus is a critical aspect, especially for snapping moving subjects or focusing quickly under varying light.

The Leica uses a contrast detection autofocus system with 23 focus points but no face or animal eye detection - which is understandable given the technology at the time. Manual focus is supported and accessible, adding versatility for deliberate shooting, macro work, or challenging conditions.

Samsung’s SL30 also relies on contrast detection but with fewer focus points and incorporates face detection, enhancing portrait or casual shooting ease. That said, no manual focus capability limits control for those wanting to dial in focus precisely.

In real-world use, the Leica autofocus is slower compared to modern standards but tends to lock focus more accurately when contrast exists. The Samsung sometimes hunts more noticeably and can struggle in dim scenarios.

Continuous AF or tracking AF modes are not present on either camera, so moving subjects, especially sports or wildlife, are less reliably handled.

If the ability to manually refine focus is vital, the Leica is the clear choice. For quick point-and-shoot convenience with decent face detection, Samsung is passable but limited.

Lens and Optical Performance: Versatility and Creativity

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses, but their optical ranges and quality differ meaningfully.

The Leica’s 24-90mm equivalent zoom (3.8x zoom) with an impressively bright aperture range of f/2.0-3.3 allows more control over depth of field and better low-light performance. That wide 24mm equivalent end is especially useful for landscapes and interiors.

Samsung SL30 offers a 38-114mm equivalent zoom (3x zoom) with a slower aperture range of f/2.8-5.7. The narrower wide-angle and slower aperture limit creative framing and low-light shooting.

Leica’s lens construction prioritizes sharpness and minimal distortion, and in my testing, it consistently produces sharper corners and less chromatic aberration, thanks to superior optics and sensor performance.

Samsung’s optical results are acceptable for casual use but show softness firsthand in corners and visible chromatic aberration under backlit or high-contrast conditions.

For macro work, Leica supports focusing down to 1 cm, ideal for tight close-ups with pleasing background blur, while Samsung’s 5 cm minimum focus distance is less flexible for intimate details.

In short: Leica offers more creative framing options and sharp image quality thanks to its lens, while Samsung’s lens favors casual snapshots.

Shutter and Burst Shooting: Capturing Decisive Moments

The Leica D-LUX 5 has a shutter speed range from 60 seconds to 1/4000 second, enabling long exposures for night shooting and fast shutter capturing for action. However, the max continuous shooting speed is a modest 3 frames per second - decent but not breaker of speed records.

Samsung SL30’s shutter range is narrower (8 seconds to 1/1500 second), limiting long-exposure flexibility and fast-moving subject freezes. Continuous shooting modes are absent, meaning burst shooting isn’t really a feature here.

Neither camera supports electronic shutter modes or silent shooting, which are features more common in recent mirrorless cameras.

If sports or wildlife are on your priority list, neither camera is ideal, but the Leica’s faster shutter range and burst mode give it a slight edge.

Specialized Photography Scenarios: How Do They Perform Across Genres?

Let’s break down how each camera fares in some popular photography fields.

Portrait Photography

• Leica D-LUX 5: The wide aperture (f/2.0) at the short end creates nice subject-background separation and creamy bokeh. Skin tones come out natural, helped by accurate color science. Though no face or eye-detection AF, focus precision and manual override give fine control.

• Samsung SL30: The slower lens aperture limits bokeh potential, and face detection AF helps framing and focus. Skin tones appear flatter and muted compared to Leica. Portraits are more snapshot-like.

Landscape Photography

• Leica’s 24mm equivalent wide-angle and larger sensor yield expansive, sharp landscapes with excellent dynamic range.
• Samsung’s narrower wide angle of 38mm restricts those sweeping vistas, and noisier images detract from detail-rich scenes.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Both cameras struggle here due to slow autofocus and frame rates.
• Leica’s faster shutter and burst rate offer marginally better candid captures.

Street Photography

• Samsung’s small, light, and inconspicuous body is advantageous.
• Leica’s bulkier size and louder shutter may draw more attention but reward you with better quality.

Macro Photography

• Leica’s 1 cm close-focus and optical stabilization give superior macro results.
• Samsung’s 5 cm minimum focus and lack of stabilization limit detail and flexibility.

Night and Astro Photography

• Leica’s extended shutter and ISO range enable longer exposures and cleaner night images.
• Samsung has limited shutter speed and struggles with noise.

Video Features: Shooting Moving Moments

Neither camera was designed with video prowess as a priority.

• Leica D-LUX 5: Offers 720p HD video at 60fps in AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG formats. No microphone input or headphone jack. Optical image stabilization aids smooth footage. The resultant quality is decent for casual sharing but far behind modern standards.

• Samsung SL30: Maximum video is 640x480 VGA resolution, with frame rates up to 30 fps. Video codec limited to Motion JPEG. No stabilization or mic input. Video quality is basic, more an afterthought.

If video is an important criterion, Leica stands out as the better albeit modest option.

Connectivity, Battery Life, and Storage: Practical Everyday Considerations

Connectivity-wise, neither camera provides Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or GPS - standard omissions for their time. The Leica does have an HDMI port for clean-out signal (helpful for tethering or monitoring). Samsung lacks HDMI entirely.

Both utilize USB 2.0 for data transfer, though transfer speeds are not blazing fast.

Battery life information isn’t officially specified for either, but user feedback suggests:

• Leica fares better, thanks to a more robust battery. Expect around 300-350 shots per charge.
• Samsung’s smaller battery longevity is closer to 180-200 shots, so pack spares.

Storage uses SD/SDHC/SDXC for Leica; Samsung uses SD/SDHC/MMC formats.

Leica’s higher price ($799 at launch) justified by better features and build; Samsung’s budget-friendly $92.99 sticker appeals to entry-level buyers.

A Balanced Verdict: Which Compact Is Right for You?

Evaluating the Leica D-LUX 5 and Samsung SL30 across multiple performance categories shows a clear divide: Leica excels in image quality, manual controls, versatility, and overall craftsmanship. Samsung caters to entry-level enthusiasts wanting ultra-affordable simplicity.

Leica D LUX 5 front Leica D LUX 5 screen back Samsung SL30 front Samsung SL30 screen back

To help summarize:

• Leica D-LUX 5 Strengths:

  • Large 1/1.63” sensor for clean, detailed images
  • Faster lens with wider aperture for creative depth of field
  • Manual controls including aperture and shutter speed dials
  • RAW format support for editing flexibility
  • Optical image stabilization and HDMI output
  • More capable video features (720p HD at 60fps)
  • Superior ergonomics and build quality

• Leica D-LUX 5 Weaknesses:

  • Higher cost and heavier body
  • No face/eye-detection autofocus
  • Modest continuous shooting speed (3 fps)
  • No touchscreen or in-body weather sealing

• Samsung SL30 Strengths:

  • Ultra lightweight and pocket-friendly
  • Face detection autofocus ease-of-use
  • Simpler operation for casual photographers
  • Very affordable price point

• Samsung SL30 Weaknesses:

  • Smaller sensor produces noisier, less detailed images
  • No manual exposure control or RAW format
  • Narrower zoom range and slower lens
  • No video HDMI output, no image stabilization
  • Limited shutter speed range and slower autofocus
  • Basic rear screen with low resolution

Tailoring the Choice: Matching Cameras to Photography Styles

If you’re a hobbyist or professional who values image quality and creative control:

The Leica D-LUX 5 offers a compact yet potent package. Its sensor size, manual dials, and lens optics make it suitable for portraits, landscapes, travel, and even some macro and night photography. It’s a rewarding camera if you appreciate deliberate shooting and are willing to invest in accessories like the optional EVF.

If you seek a beginner-friendly camera for casual snapshots or travel light:

The Samsung SL30’s simplicity and pocketability win. It’s ideal for vacation photos or street photography where discretion and ease matter more than top-tier image quality.

Closing Thoughts: A Remarkable Contrast of Compact Cameras

In my years of testing countless cameras, pairs like Leica D-LUX 5 vs Samsung SL30 remind me how different design priorities influence user experience dramatically. Neither is flashy or cutting-edge by today’s mirrorless standards, but each fills a distinct niche.

The Leica is a classic compact embodiment of precision and image quality - offering tools and performance that still satisfy discerning shooters. The Samsung is a no-frills approach, democratizing photography access with ease and affordability.

When choosing, ask: How much control and quality do you need? How important is portability versus ergonomics? What’s your budget and shooting purpose? Your answers will guide you to the camera that best complements your photographic journey.

If you’re interested, I’ve also reviewed newer generation cameras that build upon this foundation - combining the Leica’s image quality ethos with modern autofocus, video, and connectivity features. But for those who appreciate the charm and character of compact CCD compacts, these two offer fascinating perspectives from the dawn of this decade’s digital camera evolution.

Happy shooting!