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

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.

The 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.

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


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

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 |