Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230
88 Imaging
34 Features
44 Overall
38
95 Imaging
34 Features
25 Overall
30
Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- 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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
- 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
- Launched February 2009
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica D-LUX 5 and Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the D-LUX 5 (10MP) and the W230 (12MP) is pretty close but the D-LUX 5 (1/1.63") and W230 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizes.
Photography GlossaryThe D-LUX 5 was launched 20 months after the W230 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the D-LUX 5 grades vs the W230 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Leica D-LUX 5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230. The complete galleries are available at Leica D-LUX 5 Gallery & Sony W230 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica D-LUX 5 over the Sony W230
| D-LUX 5 | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | September 2010 | February 2009 | More modern by 20 months | |
| Screen resolution | 460k | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Leica D-LUX 5
| W230 | D-LUX 5 |
|---|
Common features in the Leica D-LUX 5 and Sony W230
| D-LUX 5 | W230 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually | More exact focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen dimensions | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Missing Touch screen |
Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison
If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica D-LUX 5 enjoys external 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) whilst the Sony W230 has dimensions of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).
Check the Leica D-LUX 5 and Sony W230 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the D-LUX 5 and the W230.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D-LUX 5 and W230 is 88 and 95 respectively.
Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing specifications. The image below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the D-LUX 5 and W230.
To sum up, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The D-LUX 5 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony W230 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern D-LUX 5 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.
Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder
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Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Specifications
| Leica D-LUX 5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Leica | Sony |
| Model type | Leica D-LUX 5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 |
| Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2010-09-21 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/1.63" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 8.07 x 5.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 44.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect focus | ||
| Contract detect focus | ||
| Phase detect focus | ||
| Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 24-90mm (3.8x) | 30-120mm (4.0x) |
| Largest aperture | f/2.0-3.3 | f/2.8-5.8 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | 4cm |
| Crop factor | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic (optional) | None |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 60s | 1s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 7.20 m | 3.90 m |
| Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| 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) | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
| Video file format | AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 271g (0.60 lbs) | 156g (0.34 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 110 x 66 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") | 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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 | ||
| 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 | Single | Single |
| Retail pricing | $799 | $180 |