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Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230

Portability
88
Imaging
34
Features
44
Overall
38
Leica D-LUX 5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Key Specs

Leica D-LUX 5
(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
Sony W230
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Leica D-LUX 5 over the Sony W230

 D-LUX 5 W230 
LaunchedSeptember 2010February 2009More modern by 20 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
40
manual focus
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
27
has manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Street photography advice
Sony W230 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/1.63")
heavier than competition (271g)
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Sports photography info
Sony W230 Sports photography info
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect auto focus
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Travel photography details
Sony W230 Travel photography details
59
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (271 grams)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Landscape photography highlights
Sony W230 Landscape photography highlights
52
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/1.63")
missing Time Lapse mode
36
has manual focus
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica D-LUX 5 Vlogging details
Sony W230 Vlogging details
29
fairly wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
heavier than competition (271g)
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (30mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic jack
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Leica D-LUX 5 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica D-LUX 5 and Sony W230
 Leica D-LUX 5Sony 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