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Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980

Portability
86
Imaging
35
Features
60
Overall
45
Leica D-Lux 6 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Leica D-Lux 6
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-90mm (F1.4-2.3) lens
  • 298g - 111 x 68 x 46mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Older Model is Leica D-LUX 5
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Revealed February 2009
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Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D-Lux 6 (10MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the D-Lux 6 (1/1.7") and S980 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.

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The D-Lux 6 was brought out 3 years after the S980 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the D-Lux 6 grades against the S980 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica D-Lux 6 over the Sony S980

 D-Lux 6 S980 
RevealedSeptember 2012February 2009More modern by 44 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Leica D-Lux 6

 S980 D-Lux 6 

Common features in the Leica D-Lux 6 and Sony S980

 D-Lux 6 S980 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica D-Lux 6 has got exterior measurements of 111mm x 68mm x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") with a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the D-Lux 6 versus the S980.

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D-Lux 6 and S980 is 86 and 94 respectively.

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The pic here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the D-Lux 6 and S980.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The D-Lux 6 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh simpler and the Sony S980 will produce greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer D-Lux 6 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica D-Lux 6
Portrait photography with Sony S980
41
manual focus
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
27
has manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica D-Lux 6 Street photography info
Sony S980 Street photography info
58
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than competition (298 grams)
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica D-Lux 6 Sports photography factors
Sony S980 Sports photography factors
42
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery pack (330 shots)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
17
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica D-Lux 6
Travel photography with Sony S980
64
better than average battery pack (330 CIPA)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
more heavy than competition (298g)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica D-Lux 6 Landscape photography factors
Sony S980 Landscape photography factors
57
manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (330 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica D-Lux 6 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
32
pretty wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.4)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (298g)
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Leica D-Lux 6 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica D-Lux 6 and Sony S980
 Leica D-Lux 6Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model type Leica D-Lux 6 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-09-17 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-90mm (3.8x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.4-2.3 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 298 grams (0.66 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 68 x 46mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.8") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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
Battery life 330 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $1,600 $300