Canon R5 vs Leica C-LUX

The Canon EOS R5 and the Leica C-LUX are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in July 2020 and June 2018. The Canon R5 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the C-LUX is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (Canon R5) and an one-inch (C-LUX) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 44.8 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 20 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon R5		Leica C-LUX
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Canon RF mount lenses		24-360mm f/3.3-6.4
44.8 MP, Full Frame Sensor		20 MP, 1" Sensor
8k/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 102,400)		ISO 125-12,800 (80 - 25,600)
Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2330k dots)
3.2 LCD, 2100k dots		3.0 LCD, 1240k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed touchscreen
10 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		Lens-based stabilization
Weathersealed body		not weather sealed
320 shots per battery charge		370 shots per battery charge
138 x 98 x 88 mm, 738 g		113 x 67 x 46 mm, 340 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS R5 and the Leica C-LUX? 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 R5 and the Leica C-LUX is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The C-LUX can be obtained in two different colors (gold, blue), while the Canon R5 is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica C-LUX is considerably smaller (44 percent) than the Canon R5. It is worth mentioning in this context that the Canon R5 is splash and dust resistant, while the C-LUX does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the C-LUX has a lens built in, whereas the Canon R5 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, 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, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras 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 R5	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	738 g	320	Y	Jul 2020	3,899
2.		Leica C-LUX	113 mm	67 mm	46 mm	340 g	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049
3.		Canon R6	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	680 g	360	Y	Jul 2020	2,499
4.		Canon G5 X Mark II	111 mm	61 mm	46 mm	340 g	230	n	Jul 2019	899
5.		Leica V-LUX 5	136 mm	97 mm	131 mm	812 g	350	n	Jul 2019	1,249
6.		Leica D-LUX 7	115 mm	66 mm	65 mm	392 g	300	n	Nov 2018	1,195
7.		Nikon Z7 II	134 mm	101 mm	70 mm	705 g	420	Y	Oct 2020	2,999
8.		Nikon Z7	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	330	Y	Aug 2018	3,399
9.		Panasonic S1R	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1016 g	380	Y	Feb 2019	3,699
10.		Sony A7S III	127 mm	97 mm	81 mm	699 g	600	Y	Jul 2020	3,499
11.		Sony A9 II	129 mm	96 mm	76 mm	678 g	690	Y	Oct 2019	4,499
12.		Sony A7R IV	129 mm	96 mm	78 mm	665 g	670	Y	Jul 2019	3,499
13.		Sony RX100 VII	102 mm	58 mm	43 mm	302 g	260	n	Jul 2019	1,199
14.		Sony A7R III	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	650	Y	Oct 2017	3,199
15.		Sony A99 II	143 mm	104 mm	76 mm	849 g	490	Y	Sep 2016	3,199
16.		Sony A7R II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	625 g	290	Y	Jun 2015	3,199
17.		Sony RX100 IV	102 mm	58 mm	41 mm	298 g	280	n	Jun 2015	999
Notes: 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 manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The C-LUX was launched at a lower price than the Canon R5, 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

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon R5 features a full frame sensor and the Leica C-LUX an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the C-LUX is 87 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 44.8MP, the Canon R5 offers a higher resolution than the C-LUX (20MP), but the Canon R5 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.39μm versus 2.41μm for the C-LUX) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Canon R5 is a much more recent model (by 2 years) than the C-LUX, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels.

The resolution advantage of the Canon R5 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Canon R5 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41 x 27.3 inches or 104 x 69.4 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 32.8 x 21.9 inches or 83.2 x 55.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.3 x 18.2 inches or 69.4 x 46.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica C-LUX are 27.4 x 18.2 inches or 69.5 x 46.3 cm for good quality, 21.9 x 14.6 inches or 55.6 x 37.1 cm for very good quality, and 18.2 x 12.2 inches or 46.3 x 30.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon R5 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS R5 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica C-LUX are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon R5	Full Frame	44.8	8192	5464	8k/30p	25.3	14.6	3042	95
2.		Leica C-LUX	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon R6	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	4k/60p	24.2	14.3	3394	90
4.		Canon G5 X Mark II	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
5.		Leica V-LUX 5	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
6.		Leica D-LUX 7	Four Thirds	16.8	4736	3552	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
7.		Nikon Z7 II	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
8.		Nikon Z7	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.3	14.6	2668	99
9.		Panasonic S1R	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	26.4	14.1	3525	100
10.		Sony A7S III	Full Frame	12.0	4240	2832	4K/120p	23.7	13.9	2520	86
11.		Sony A9 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.0	3434	93
12.		Sony A7R IV	Full Frame	60.2	9504	6336	4K/30p	26.0	14.8	3344	99
13.		Sony RX100 VII	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	21.8	12.4	418	63
14.		Sony A7R III	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	14.7	3523	100
15.		Sony A99 II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	25.4	13.4	2317	92
16.		Sony A7R II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	26.0	13.9	3434	98
17.		Sony RX100 IV	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	22.8	12.6	591	70

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Canon R5 provides a higher video resolution than the C-LUX. It can shoot video footage at 8k/30p, while the Leica is limited to 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the Canon R5 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the C-LUX (5760k vs 2330k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon R5, the Leica C-LUX, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon R5	5760	Y	3.2	2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
2.		Leica C-LUX	2330	n	3.0	1240	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon R6	5760	n	3.0	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
4.		Canon G5 X Mark II	2360	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	30	Y	Y
5.		Leica V-LUX 5	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
6.		Leica D-LUX 7	2764	n	3.0	1240	fixed	Y	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
7.		Nikon Z7 II	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
8.		Nikon Z7	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
9.		Panasonic S1R	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
10.		Sony A7S III	9440	n	3.0	1440	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
11.		Sony A9 II	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
12.		Sony A7R IV	5760	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
13.		Sony RX100 VII	2359	n	3.0	921	tilting	Y	1/2000s	90.0	Y	Y
14.		Sony A7R III	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
15.		Sony A99 II	2400	Y	3.0	1229	full-flex	n	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
16.		Sony A7R II	2400	n	3.0	1229	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y
17.		Sony RX100 IV	2359	n	3.0	1228	tilting	n	1/2000s	16.0	Y	Y

One feature that is present on the Canon R5, but is missing on the C-LUX is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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 Canon R5 and the Leica C-LUX both have 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.

The Canon R5 writes its imaging data to CFexpress or SDXC cards, while the C-LUX uses SDXC cards. The Canon R5 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the C-LUX only has one slot. The Canon R5 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the C-LUX can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

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 R5 and Leica C-LUX 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 Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon R5	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
2.		Leica C-LUX	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon R6	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon G5 X Mark II	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
5.		Leica V-LUX 5	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
6.		Leica D-LUX 7	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
7.		Nikon Z7 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
8.		Nikon Z7	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
9.		Panasonic S1R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
10.		Sony A7S III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
11.		Sony A9 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
12.		Sony A7R IV	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
13.		Sony RX100 VII	-	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
14.		Sony A7R III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony A99 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
16.		Sony A7R II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony RX100 IV	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-

It is notable that the Canon R5 has a hotshoe, while the C-LUX does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Both the Canon R5 and the C-LUX are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Canon and Leica. 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

So how do things add up? Is the Canon R5 better than the Leica C-LUX or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS R5:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (44.8 vs 20MP) with a 50% higher linear resolution.
• 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 (8k/30p vs 4K/30p).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 2330k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.76x vs 0.53x).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1240k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a 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 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years of technical progress since the C-LUX launch.

Arguments in favor of the Leica C-LUX:

• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the Canon R5 necessitates an extra lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (113x67mm vs 138x98mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the Canon R5).
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (370 versus 320) out of a single battery charge.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• 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 heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in June 2018).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the Canon R5 is the clear winner of the match-up (25 : 8 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 wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro 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 R5 and the Leica C-LUX place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the Canon R5 or the C-LUX perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], 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	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon R5	4.5/5	..	91/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2020	3,899
2.		Leica C-LUX	..	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2018	1,049
3.		Canon R6	5/5	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2020	2,499
4.		Canon G5 X Mark II	4/5	+	82/100	..	4/5	Jul 2019	899
5.		Leica V-LUX 5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2019	1,249
6.		Leica D-LUX 7	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	Nov 2018	1,195
7.		Nikon Z7 II	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2020	2,999
8.		Nikon Z7	5/5	+	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	3,399
9.		Panasonic S1R	4.5/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	3,699
10.		Sony A7S III	..	+ +	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2020	3,499
11.		Sony A9 II	..	..	90/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2019	4,499
12.		Sony A7R IV	5/5	+	91/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2019	3,499
13.		Sony RX100 VII	4.5/5	..	..	4/5	5/5	Jul 2019	1,199
14.		Sony A7R III	..	+ +	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Oct 2017	3,199
15.		Sony A99 II	..	..	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	3,199
16.		Sony A7R II	5/5	+ +	90/100	5/5	5/5	Jun 2015	3,199
17.		Sony RX100 IV	4.5/5	+ +	85/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2015	999
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. 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, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

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Specifications: Canon R5 vs Leica C-LUX

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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