A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Leica Digilux 3 vs Canon 40D

The Leica Digilux 3 and the Canon EOS 40D are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2006 and August 2007. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on a Four Thirds (Digilux 3) and an APS-C (40D) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 7.4 megapixels, whereas the Canon provides 10.1 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Leica Digilux 3
versus
Canon 40D
Leica Digilux 3   Canon 40D
Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
Four Thirds lenses Canon EF mount lenses
7.4 MP – Four Thirds sensor 10.1 MP – APS-C sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 100-1,600 ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 207k dots 3.0" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
3 shutter flaps per second 6.5 shutter flaps per second
750 shots per battery charge750 shots per battery charge
146 x 87 x 77 mm, 606 g 146 x 108 x 74 mm, 822 g
logo
Check Digilux 3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check 40D offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica Digilux 3 and the Canon EOS 40D? 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.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica Digilux 3 and the Canon 40D 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 size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica Digilux 3 vs Canon 40D
Compare Digilux 3 versus 40D top
Comparison Digilux 3 or 40D rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon 40D is notably larger (24 percent) than the Leica Digilux 3. Moreover, the 40D is substantially heavier (36 percent) than the Digilux 3. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the Digilux 3 nor the 40D 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. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (Digilux 3) and the Canon EF Lens Catalog (40D).

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. 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.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3 146 mm 87 mm 77 mm 606 g 750 n Sep 2006 1,499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 40D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 750 n Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 60D 145 mm 106 mm 79 mm 755 g 1100 Y Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 50D 146 mm 108 mm 74 mm 822 g 800 Y Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 30D 144 mm 106 mm 74 mm 785 g 750 n Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon XT 127 mm 94 mm 64 mm 540 g 400 n Feb 2005 899ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 20D 144 mm 106 mm 72 mm 770 g 700 n Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 10D 150 mm 107 mm 75 mm 850 g 500 n Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M8 139 mm 80 mm 37 mm 591 g 550 n Sep 2006 5,499ebay.com
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 1 141 mm 86 mm 142 mm 734 g 360 n Sep 2006 849ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-30 142 mm 108 mm 75 mm 701 g 750 n Nov 2008 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-330 140 mm 87 mm 72 mm 637 g 750 n Jan 2006 999ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-500 130 mm 95 mm 66 mm 479 g 750 n Sep 2005 599ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-300 147 mm 85 mm 64 mm 624 g 750 n Sep 2004 799ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic L10 135 mm 96 mm 78 mm 556 g 450 n Aug 2007 599ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic L1 146 mm 87 mm 64 mm 606 g 750 n Feb 2006 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

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 40D was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 13 percent) than the Digilux 3, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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 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. 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica Digilux 3 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Canon 40D an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the 40D is 48 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.6. The sensor in the Digilux 3 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the 40D offers a 3:2 aspect.

Leica Digilux 3 and Canon 40D sensor measures

With 10.1MP, the 40D offers a higher resolution than the Digilux 3 (7.4MP), but the 40D nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.73μm versus 5.51μm for the Digilux 3) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the 40D is a somewhat more recent model (by 11 months) than the Digilux 3, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 40D implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 40D for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 19.4 x 13 inches or 49.4 x 32.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 15.6 x 10.4 inches or 39.5 x 26.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 13 x 8.6 inches or 32.9 x 21.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica Digilux 3 are 15.7 x 11.8 inches or 39.8 x 29.9 cm for good quality, 12.5 x 9.4 inches or 31.9 x 23.9 cm for very good quality, and 10.5 x 7.8 inches or 26.6 x 19.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica Digilux 3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Canon EOS 40D 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.

Digilux 3 versus 40D MP

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 table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none21.010.612753
2.
 
Canon 40D APS-C 10.1 3888 2592none22.111.370364
3.
 
Canon 60D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.581366
4.
 
Canon 50D APS-C 15.1 4752 3168none21.811.469663
5.
 
Canon 30D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.510.873659
6.
 
Canon XT APS-C 8.0 3456 2304none21.810.863760
7.
 
Canon 20D APS-C 8.2 3504 2336none21.911.072162
8.
 
Canon 10D APS-C 6.3 3072 2048none21.110.957157
9.
 
Leica M8 APS-H 10.4 3936 2630none21.111.366359
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 1 1/1.8 10.0 3648 2736480/30p18.49.5-72729
11.
 
Olympus E-30 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.453055
12.
 
Olympus E-330 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.47352
13.
 
Olympus E-500 Four Thirds 8.0 3264 2448none20.710.34551
14.
 
Olympus E-300 Four Thirds 8.0 3264 2448none20.410.1-4048
15.
 
Panasonic L10 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.310.842955
16.
 
Panasonic L1 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.48052
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding
Both the Digilux 3 and the 40D offer Live View, so that they make it possible to use the rear screen for framing. Both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
ad

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The Digilux 3 and the 40D are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (95%), but the viewfinder of the 40D has a higher magnification than the one of the Digilux 3 (0.59x vs 0.47x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica Digilux 3 and Canon 40D in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

scroll hint
Core Features
# image 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.
 
Leica Digilux 3optical n2.5 / 207 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
2.
 
Canon 40Doptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 6.5/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 60Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel n 1/8000s 5.3/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 50Doptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 6.3/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 30Doptical Y2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon XToptical n1.8 / 115 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
7.
 
Canon 20Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Canon 10Doptical Y1.8 / 118 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Leica M8optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 2.0/s n n
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 1235 n2.0 / 207 tilting n 1/2000s 2.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Olympus E-30optical Y2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Olympus E-330optical n2.5 / 215 tilting n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Olympus E-500optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
14.
 
Olympus E-300optical n1.8 / 134 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
15.
 
Panasonic L10optical n2.5 / 207 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Panasonic L1optical n2.5 / 207 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One feature that is present on the 40D, but is missing on the Digilux 3 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 Digilux 3 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the 40D uses Compact Flash cards.

ad

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 Leica Digilux 3 and Canon EOS 40D and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3Ystereo / mono---2.0---
2.
 
Canon 40DY- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 60DYmono / monoY-mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon 50DY- / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon 30DY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Canon XTY- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Canon 20DY- / ----1.1---
8.
 
Canon 10DY- / ----1.1---
9.
 
Leica M8Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 1Ymono / mono---2.0---
11.
 
Olympus E-30Y- / ----2.0---
12.
 
Olympus E-330Y- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Olympus E-500Y- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Olympus E-300Y- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Panasonic L10Y- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Panasonic L1Y- / ----2.0---
padding

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 40D (unlike the Digilux 3) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the Digilux 3 and the 40D have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The 40D was replaced by the Canon 50D, while the Digilux 3 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the Digilux 3 and 40D can be found, respectively, in the Leica Digilux 3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Canon 40D Manual.

ad

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Leica Digilux 3 better than the Canon 40D or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

ilogo

Reasons to prefer the Leica Digilux 3:

  • More compact: Is smaller (146x87mm vs 146x108mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 216g or 26 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in September 2006).

ilogo

Advantages of the Canon EOS 40D:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (10.1 vs 7.4MP), which boosts linear resolution by 19%.
  • Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced 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.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.59x vs 0.47x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.5 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (13 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (11 months) more recently.

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 40D is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 4 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 sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

Digilux 3 04:13 40D

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica Digilux 3 and the Canon 40D place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the Digilux 3 and the 40D in practical situations. 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 adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera 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.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica Digilux 3............ Sep 2006 1,499ebay.com
2.
 
Canon 40D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,299ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 60D5/5+..79/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2010 1,399ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 50D..+ +..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2008 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 30D..+ +..+ +o.. Feb 2006 1,399ebay.com
6.
 
Canon XT..80/100..+ +o.. Feb 2005 899ebay.com
7.
 
Canon 20D......+ +.... Aug 2004 1,499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon 10D......+ +.... Feb 2003 1,999ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M8......+ +.... Sep 2006 5,499ebay.com
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 1............ Sep 2006 849ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-30......71/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2008 1,299ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus E-330......+o.. Jan 2006 999ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-500..76/100..+ +.... Sep 2005 599ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-300......+o4.5/5 Sep 2004 799ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic L10..85/100..+3.5/54/5 Aug 2007 599ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic L1..85/100..+..3.5/5 Feb 2006 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check Digilux 3 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check 40D offers at
ebay.com

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.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Leica Digilux 3 vs Canon 40D

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica Digilux 3 Canon 40D
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Four Thirds lenses Canon EF mount lenses
    Launch Date September 2006 August 2007
    Launch Price USD 1,499 USD 1,299
    Sensor Specs Leica Digilux 3 Canon 40D
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 22.3 x 14.9 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 332.27 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 26.8 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.6x
    Sensor Resolution 7.4 Megapixels 10.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3136 x 2352 pixels 3888 x 2592 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.51 μm 5.73 μm
    Pixel Density 3.28 MP/cm2 3.03 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 100 - 3,200 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 64
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 22.1
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 11.3
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 703
    Screen Specs Leica Digilux 3 Canon 40D
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 95% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.47x 0.59x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 207k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Leica Digilux 3 Canon 40D
    Focus System Phase-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 3 shutter flaps/s 6.5 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Leica Digilux 3 Canon 40D
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Leica Digilux 3 Canon 40D
    Battery Type Leica BP-DC3 Canon BP-511A
    Battery Life (CIPA)750 shots per charge750 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77 mm
    (5.7 x 3.4 x 3.0 in)
    146 x 108 x 74 mm
    (5.7 x 4.3 x 2.9 in)
    Camera Weight 606 g (21.4 oz) 822 g (29.0 oz)
    logo
    Check Digilux 3 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check 40D offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Leica Digilux 3 vs Canon 40D