Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

The Canon EOS 60D and the Leica D-LUX 7 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in August 2010 and November 2018. The 60D is a DSLR, while the D-LUX 7 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-C (60D) and a Four Thirds (D-LUX 7) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 17.9 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 16.8 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon 60D		Leica D-LUX 7
Digital single lens reflex		Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF mount lenses		24-75mm f/1.7-2.8
17.9 MP, APS-C Sensor		16.8 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
1080/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-6400 (100-12800)		ISO 200-25600
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (2764k dots)
3.0" LCD, 1040k dots		3.0" LCD, 1240k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed touchscreen
5.3 shutter flaps per second		11 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		Not weather sealed
1100 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
145 x 106 x 79 mm, 755 g		115 x 66 x 65 mm, 392 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 60D and the Leica D-LUX 7? 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: Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 60D and the Leica D-LUX 7. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. 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 D-LUX 7 is considerably smaller (51 percent) than the Canon 60D. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 60D is splash and dust resistant, while the D-LUX 7 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the D-LUX 7 has a lens built in, whereas the 60D 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 60D and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 60D gets 1100 shots out of its LP-E6 battery, while the D-LUX 7 can take 300 images on a single charge of its BP-DC15 power pack. The power pack in the D-LUX 7 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, just use the right or left arrows in the table to switch to the respective camera. Alternatively, you can also navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from the full list of cameras there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 60D»	5.7 in	4.2 in	3.1 in	26.6 oz	1100	Y	Aug 2010	1,399	-		Canon 60D
	Leica D-LUX 7«	4.5 in	2.6 in	2.6 in	13.8 oz	300	n	Nov 2018	1,195			Leica D-LUX 7
	Canon 80D« »	5.5 in	4.1 in	3.1 in	25.8 oz	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon 7D II« »	5.9 in	4.4 in	3.1 in	32.1 oz	670	Y	Sep 2014	1,799			Canon 7D II
	Canon 70D« »	5.5 in	4.1 in	3.1 in	26.6 oz	920	Y	Jul 2013	1,199	-		Canon 70D
	Canon T3i« »	5.2 in	3.9 in	3.1 in	20.1 oz	440	n	Feb 2011	599	-		Canon T3i
	Canon T2i« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.7 oz	440	n	Feb 2010	699	-		Canon T2i
	Canon 7D« »	5.8 in	4.4 in	2.9 in	30.3 oz	800	Y	Sep 2009	1,699	-		Canon 7D
	Canon T1i« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.3 oz	400	n	Mar 2009	799	-		Canon T1i
	Canon 50D« »	5.7 in	4.3 in	2.9 in	29.0 oz	800	Y	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Canon 50D
	Canon 40D« »	5.7 in	4.3 in	2.9 in	29.0 oz	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299	-		Canon 40D
	Fujifilm X100F« »	5.0 in	3.0 in	2.0 in	16.5 oz	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299			Fujifilm X100F
	Fujifilm X100S« »	5.0 in	2.9 in	2.1 in	15.7 oz	330	n	Jan 2013	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100S
	Leica C-LUX« »	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.8 in	12.0 oz	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	14.3 oz	300	n	Sep 2014	1,195	-		Leica D-LUX Typ 109
	Nikon D7000« »	5.2 in	4.1 in	3.0 in	27.5 oz	1050	Y	Sep 2010	1,499	-		Nikon D7000
	Panasonic LX100 II« »	4.5 in	2.6 in	2.6 in	13.8 oz	300	n	Aug 2018	999			Panasonic LX100 II
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D-LUX 7 was launched at a lower price than the 60D, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 60D features an APS-C sensor and the Leica D-LUX 7 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the D-LUX 7 is 32 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.6 and 2.0. The sensor in the 60D has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the D-LUX 7 offers a 4:3 aspect. The D-LUX 7 has the particularity of featuring a switch that allows to toggle between multiple aspect ratios, while maintaining the same field of view and full image resolution.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 17.9MP, the 60D offers a slightly higher resolution than the D-LUX 7 (16.8MP), but the 60D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.31μm versus 3.66μm for the D-LUX 7) due to its larger sensor. However, the D-LUX 7 is a much more recent model (by 8 years and 2 months) than the 60D, 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 D-LUX 7 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 60D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 60D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.9 x 17.3 inch or 65.8 x 43.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.7 x 13.8 inch or 52.7 x 35.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.3 x 11.5 inch or 43.9 x 29.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica D-LUX 7 are 23.7 x 17.8 inch or 60.1 x 45.1 cm for good quality, 18.9 x 14.2 inch or 48.1 x 36.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.8 x 11.8 inch or 40.1 x 30.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS 60D 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 D-LUX 7 are ISO 200 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the D-LUX 7 provides a better video resolution than the 60D. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/30p, while the Canon is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the D-LUX 7 has an electronic viewfinder (2764k dots), while the 60D 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 viewfinder in the D-LUX 7 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the 60D (96%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the D-LUX 7 has a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.59x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 60D and Leica D-LUX 7 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The 60D has one, while the D-LUX 7 does not. While the built-in flash of the 60D is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the D-LUX 7 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica D-LUX 7 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 60D and the D-LUX 7 write their files to SDXC cards. The D-LUX 7 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 60D cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison: Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

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 60D and Leica D-LUX 7 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the 60D has a microphone port, which is missing on the D-LUX 7. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 60D (unlike the D-LUX 7) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The D-LUX 7 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Leica. In contrast, the 60D has been discontinued (but it can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the 60D was succeeded by the Canon 70D. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Leica websites.

Review summary: Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon 60D or the Leica D-LUX 7 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Canon EOS 60D:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (17.9 vs 16.8MP) with a 5% higher linear resolution.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1100 versus 300) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 2010).

Advantages of the Leica D-LUX 7:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Flexible image proportions: Has a multi-aspect sensor that allows for alternative image shapes.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 96%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.59x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1240k vs 1040k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 5.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the 60D requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (115x66mm vs 145x106mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the 60D).
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 8 years and 2 months of technical progress since the 60D launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D-LUX 7 is the clear winner of the contest (21 : 14 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision 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 60D and the Leica D-LUX 7 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Travel-Zoom 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 60D or the D-LUX 7 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews: Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 60D»	+	79/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2010	1,399	-		Canon 60D
	Leica D-LUX 7«	-	-	-	-	4.5/5	Nov 2018	1,195			Leica D-LUX 7
	Canon 80D« »	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199			Canon 80D
	Canon 7D II« »	+	84/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	1,799			Canon 7D II
	Canon 70D« »	+ +	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2013	1,199	-		Canon 70D
	Canon T3i« »	o	77/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	599	-		Canon T3i
	Canon T2i« »	+ +	77/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	699	-		Canon T2i
	Canon 7D« »	+ +	84/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2009	1,699	-		Canon 7D
	Canon T1i« »	+ +	74/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799	-		Canon T1i
	Canon 50D« »	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2008	1,299	-		Canon 50D
	Canon 40D« »	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299	-		Canon 40D
	Fujifilm X100F« »	+	83/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299			Fujifilm X100F
	Fujifilm X100S« »	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	5/5	Jan 2013	1,299	-		Fujifilm X100S
	Leica C-LUX« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4/5	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Leica D-LUX Typ 109« »	-	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Sep 2014	1,195	-		Leica D-LUX Typ 109
	Nikon D7000« »	-	80/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	1,499	-		Nikon D7000
	Panasonic LX100 II« »	+	82/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Aug 2018	999			Panasonic LX100 II
Notes: (+ +) 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 comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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 your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Canon 60D vs Leica D-LUX 7

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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