Canon 550D vs Leica V-LUX 1

The Canon EOS 550D (called Canon T2i in some regions) and the Leica V-LUX 1 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2010 and September 2006. The 550D is a DSLR, while the V-LUX 1 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (550D) and a 1/1.8-inch (V-LUX 1) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 550D		Leica V-LUX 1
Digital single lens reflex		Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF mount lenses		35-420mm f/2.8-3.7
17.9 MP – APS-C sensor		10 MP – 1/1.8" sensor
1080/30p Video		480/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400 (100 - 12,800)		ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (235k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots		2.0" LCD – 207k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
3.7 shutter flaps per second		2 shutter flaps per second
440 shots per battery charge		360 shots per battery charge
129 x 98 x 62 mm, 530 g		141 x 86 x 142 mm, 734 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 550D and the Leica V-LUX 1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon 550D and the Leica V-LUX 1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica V-LUX 1 is somewhat smaller (4 percent) than the Canon 550D. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the 550D nor the V-LUX 1 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the V-LUX 1 has a lens built in, whereas the 550D is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the 550D and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 550D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	530 g	440	n	Feb 2010	699	ebay.com
2.		Leica V-LUX 1	141 mm	86 mm	142 mm	734 g	360	n	Sep 2006	849	ebay.com
3.		Canon 500D	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	799	ebay.com
4.		Canon 600D	133 mm	100 mm	80 mm	570 g	440	n	Feb 2011	599	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	575 g	440	n	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
6.		Canon 700D	133 mm	100 mm	79 mm	580 g	440	n	Mar 2013	649	ebay.com
7.		Canon 750D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	555 g	440	n	Feb 2015	749	ebay.com
8.		Canon 760D	132 mm	101 mm	78 mm	565 g	440	n	Feb 2015	649	ebay.com
9.		Canon 1100D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	449	ebay.com
10.		Canon 1200D	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
11.		Canon 4000D	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	399	amazon.com
12.		Leica D-LUX 5	110 mm	65 mm	43 mm	271 g	400	n	Sep 2010	699	ebay.com
13.		Leica D-LUX 6	111 mm	68 mm	46 mm	298 g	330	n	Sep 2012	699	ebay.com
14.		Leica V-LUX 2	124 mm	80 mm	95 mm	520 g	410	n	Sep 2010	849	ebay.com
15.		Leica V-LUX 4	125 mm	87 mm	110 mm	588 g	540	n	Sep 2012	949	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D80	132 mm	103 mm	77 mm	668 g	600	n	Aug 2006	999	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D5100	128 mm	97 mm	79 mm	560 g	660	n	Apr 2011	749	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 550D features an APS-C sensor and the Leica V-LUX 1 a 1/1.8-inch sensor. The sensor area in the V-LUX 1 is 89 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 4.8. The sensor in the 550D has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the V-LUX 1 offers a 4:3 aspect.

With 17.9MP, the 550D offers a higher resolution than the V-LUX 1 (10MP), but the 550D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 1.95μm for the V-LUX 1) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the 550D is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 4 months) than the V-LUX 1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the V-LUX 1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 550D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 550D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inches or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inches or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inches or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica V-LUX 1 are 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm for good quality, 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 550D has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, which can be extended to ISO 100-12800. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica V-LUX 1 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 550D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	784	66
2.		Leica V-LUX 1	1/1.8	10.0	3648	2736	480/30p	18.4	9.5	-727	29
3.		Canon 500D	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
4.		Canon 600D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	22.1	11.5	793	65
5.		Canon 650D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	722	62
6.		Canon 700D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.7	11.2	681	61
7.		Canon 750D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.7	12.0	919	71
8.		Canon 760D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	22.6	12.0	915	70
9.		Canon 1100D	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
10.		Canon 1200D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
11.		Canon 4000D	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
12.		Leica D-LUX 5	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	720/60p	19.5	10.4	-583	39
13.		Leica D-LUX 6	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	1080/60p	19.8	10.8	-303	43
14.		Leica V-LUX 2	1/2.3	14.0	4320	3240	1080/60i	19.4	10.7	321	39
15.		Leica V-LUX 4	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	19.8	11.1	501	43
16.		Nikon D80	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.1	11.2	524	61
17.		Nikon D5100	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	23.5	13.6	1183	80
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the 550D provides a higher video resolution than the V-LUX 1. It can shoot video footage at 1080/30p, while the Leica is limited to 480/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the V-LUX 1 has an electronic viewfinder (235k dots), while the 550D has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 550D, the Leica V-LUX 1, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 550D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
2.		Leica V-LUX 1	235	n	2.0 / 207	tilting	n	1/2000s	2.0/s	Y	Y
3.		Canon 500D	optical	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4/s	Y	n
4.		Canon 600D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.7/s	Y	n
5.		Canon 650D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
6.		Canon 700D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
7.		Canon 750D	optical	n	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
8.		Canon 760D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	5.0/s	Y	n
9.		Canon 1100D	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
10.		Canon 1200D	optical	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
11.		Canon 4000D	optical	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
12.		Leica D-LUX 5	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	Y
13.		Leica D-LUX 6	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	Y
14.		Leica V-LUX 2	202	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/2000s	11.0/s	Y	Y
15.		Leica V-LUX 4	1312	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
16.		Nikon D80	optical	n	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
17.		Nikon D5100	optical	n	3.0 / 921	swivel	n	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The 550D writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the V-LUX 1 uses SDHC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 550D and Leica V-LUX 1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 550D	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Leica V-LUX 1	Y	mono / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon 500D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Canon 600D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Canon 650D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon 700D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 750D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
8.		Canon 760D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Canon 1100D	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon 1200D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 4000D	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
12.		Leica D-LUX 5	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Leica D-LUX 6	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Leica V-LUX 2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Leica V-LUX 4	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Nikon D80	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Nikon D5100	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the 550D has a microphone port, which is missing on the V-LUX 1. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the 550D and the V-LUX 1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The V-LUX 1 was replaced by the Leica V-LUX 2, while the 550D was followed by the Canon 600D. Further information on the features and operation of the 550D and V-LUX 1 can be found, respectively, in the Canon 550D Manual (free pdf) or the online Leica V-LUX 1 Manual.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon 550D and the Leica V-LUX 1? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 550D:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 10MP) with a 37% higher linear resolution.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/30p vs 480/30p).
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 207k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3.7 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (440 versus 360) on a single battery charge.
• More modern: Reflects 3 years and 4 months of technical progress since the V-LUX 1 launch.

Reasons to prefer the Leica V-LUX 1:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the 550D requires a separate lens.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2006).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 550D is the clear winner of the match-up (16 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 550D and the Leica V-LUX 1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the 550D or the V-LUX 1 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 550D	..	+ +	..	77/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	699	ebay.com
2.		Leica V-LUX 1	..	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2006	849	ebay.com
3.		Canon 500D	..	+ +	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799	ebay.com
4.		Canon 600D	3/5	o	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	599	ebay.com
5.		Canon 650D	4/5	+ +	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2012	849	ebay.com
6.		Canon 700D	..	..	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2013	649	ebay.com
7.		Canon 750D	5/5	..	..	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	749	ebay.com
8.		Canon 760D	5/5	+	..	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	649	ebay.com
9.		Canon 1100D	..	80/100	..	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449	ebay.com
10.		Canon 1200D	3/5	+	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449	ebay.com
11.		Canon 4000D	2.5/5	o	3/5	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399	amazon.com
12.		Leica D-LUX 5	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2010	699	ebay.com
13.		Leica D-LUX 6	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Sep 2012	699	ebay.com
14.		Leica V-LUX 2	..	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2010	849	ebay.com
15.		Leica V-LUX 4	..	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2012	949	ebay.com
16.		Nikon D80	..	+	..	+ +	o	4.5/5	Aug 2006	999	ebay.com
17.		Nikon D5100	5/5	+ +	..	76/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2011	749	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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