Canon XS vs Leica TL

The Canon EOS Rebel XS (called Canon 1000D in some regions) and the Leica TL are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in June 2008 and November 2016. The XS is a DSLR, while the TL is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 10.1 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 16.1 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Canon XS		Leica TL
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses		Leica T mount lenses
10.1 MP, APS-C Sensor		16.1 MP, APS-C Sensor
no Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-800 (100 - 1,600)		ISO 100-12,500
Optical viewfinder		Viewfinder optional
2.5 LCD, 230k dots		3.7 LCD, 1230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed touchscreen
3 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
500 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
126 x 98 x 65 mm, 502 g		134 x 69 x 33 mm, 384 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS Rebel XS and the Leica TL? 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

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon XS and the Leica TL. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The TL can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, titanium), while the XS 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 TL is notably smaller (25 percent) than the Canon XS. Moreover, the TL is markedly lighter (24 percent) than the XS. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the XS nor the TL are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The power pack in the TL can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. 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 XS	126 mm	98 mm	65 mm	502 g	500	n	Jun 2008	449
2.		Leica TL	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695
3.		Canon T7	129 mm	101 mm	78 mm	475 g	500	n	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon T100	129 mm	102 mm	77 mm	436 g	500	n	Feb 2018	399
5.		Canon T5	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	480 g	500	n	Feb 2014	449
6.		Canon T3	130 mm	100 mm	78 mm	495 g	700	n	Feb 2011	449
7.		Canon SX20	123 mm	88 mm	87 mm	600 g	..	n	Aug 2009	399
8.		Canon T1i	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	520 g	400	n	Mar 2009	799
9.		Canon SX10	123 mm	88 mm	87 mm	600 g	..	n	Sep 2008	399
10.		Canon XSi	129 mm	98 mm	62 mm	524 g	500	n	Jan 2008	799
11.		Canon 40D	146 mm	108 mm	74 mm	822 g	750	n	Aug 2007	1,299
12.		Canon XTi	127 mm	84 mm	65 mm	556 g	370	n	Aug 2006	799
13.		Fujifilm X-A10	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	331 g	410	n	Dec 2016	399
14.		Fujifilm X-A2	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	350 g	410	n	Jan 2015	399
15.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	140 mm	82 mm	43 mm	450 g	300	n	Jan 2012	1,699
16.		Leica TL2	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	399 g	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950
17.		Leica T	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Apr 2014	1,850
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The XS was launched at a markedly lower price (by 74 percent) than the TL, which puts it into a different market segment. 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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 more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the TL is 13 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have format factors, respectively, of 1.6 (XS) and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

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

With 16.1MP, the TL offers a higher resolution than the XS (10.1MP), but the TL has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.80μm versus 5.71μm for the XS). Yet, the TL is a much more recent model (by 8 years and 5 months) than the XS, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the TL has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica TL implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the TL for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon XS are 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.4 x 32.9 cm for good quality, 15.6 x 10.4 inches or 39.5 x 26.3 cm for very good quality, and 13 x 8.6 inches or 32.9 x 21.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS Rebel XS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 800, which can be extended to ISO 100-1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica TL are ISO 100 to ISO 12500 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). 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 XS	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	..	..	..	..
2.		Leica TL	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon T7	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
4.		Canon T100	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.4	695	63
5.		Canon T5	APS-C	17.9	5184	3456	1080/30p	21.9	11.3	724	63
6.		Canon T3	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	720/30p	21.9	11.0	755	62
7.		Canon SX20	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	..	..	..	..
8.		Canon T1i	APS-C	15.1	4752	3168	1080/20p	21.7	11.5	663	63
9.		Canon SX10	1/2.3	10.0	3648	2736	480/30p	..	..	..	..
10.		Canon XSi	APS-C	12.2	4272	2848	none	21.9	10.8	692	61
11.		Canon 40D	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.3	703	64
12.		Canon XTi	APS-C	10.1	3888	2592	none	22.1	11.0	664	62
13.		Fujifilm X-A10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
14.		Fujifilm X-A2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/24p	..	..	..	..
16.		Leica TL2	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
17.		Leica T	APS-C	16.2	4944	3278	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	1082	75

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The TL indeed provides for movie recording, while the XS does not. The highest resolution format that the TL can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the XS has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the TL relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the TL can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the Visoflex (Typ 020). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon XS and Leica TL in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar 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 XS	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
2.		Leica TL	optional	n	3.7	1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
3.		Canon T7	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
4.		Canon T100	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
5.		Canon T5	optical	n	3.0	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
6.		Canon T3	optical	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
7.		Canon SX20	202	n	2.5	230	swivel	n	1/3200s	0.7	Y	Y
8.		Canon T1i	optical	n	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.4	Y	n
9.		Canon SX10	202	n	2.5	230	swivel	n	1/3200s	0.7	Y	Y
10.		Canon XSi	optical	n	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.5	Y	n
11.		Canon 40D	optical	Y	3.0	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.5	Y	n
12.		Canon XTi	optical	n	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0	Y	n
13.		Fujifilm X-A10	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
14.		Fujifilm X-A2	none	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
15.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	1440	n	3.0	1230	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	n	n
16.		Leica TL2	optional	n	3.7	1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	7.0	n	n
17.		Leica T	optional	n	3.7	1300	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The TL has a touchscreen, while the XS has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The XS writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the TL uses SDXC 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 Rebel XS and Leica TL 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 XS	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Leica TL	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon T7	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
4.		Canon T100	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon T5	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Canon T3	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon SX20	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	YES	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Canon T1i	Y	mono	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Canon SX10	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Canon XSi	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Canon 40D	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Canon XTi	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Fujifilm X-A10	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Fujifilm X-A2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Leica TL2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
17.		Leica T	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	-	-

It is notable that the TL offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the XS does not provide wifi capability.

Both the XS and the TL have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The XS was replaced by the Canon T3, while the TL was followed by the Leica TL2. 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 what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Canon XS or the Leica TL – 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.

Advantages of the Canon EOS Rebel XS:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (500 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (74 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in June 2008).

Reasons to prefer the Leica TL:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (16.1 vs 10.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 26%.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 1080/30p video.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.7" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1230k vs 230k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (134x69mm vs 126x98mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 118g or 24 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More modern: Reflects 8 years and 5 months of technical progress since the XS launch.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the TL is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 5 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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 XS and the Leica TL place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the XS and the TL in practical situations. 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

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera 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 XS	..	82/100	+ +	3.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2008	449
2.		Leica TL	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695
3.		Canon T7	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	449
4.		Canon T100	..	o	..	3.5/5	3.5/5	Feb 2018	399
5.		Canon T5	3/5	+	..	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	449
6.		Canon T3	..	80/100	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2011	449
7.		Canon SX20	..	+ +	73/100	..	4/5	Aug 2009	399
8.		Canon T1i	..	+ +	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799
9.		Canon SX10	..	+ +	..	..	4/5	Sep 2008	399
10.		Canon XSi	..	+ +	+ +	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	799
11.		Canon 40D	..	+ +	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,299
12.		Canon XTi	..	+ +	+ +	o	4/5	Aug 2006	799
13.		Fujifilm X-A10	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Dec 2016	399
14.		Fujifilm X-A2	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399
15.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	5/5	+ +	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	1,699
16.		Leica TL2	3.5/5	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950
17.		Leica T	3/5	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2014	1,850
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. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Canon XS vs Leica TL

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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