CameraDecision
  • CAMERAS
  • LENSES
  • TOOLS
    • Smart Find
    • 1-on-1 Comparison
    • Size Comparison
  • BRANDS
    • Sony Cameras
    • Canon Cameras
    • Nikon Cameras
    • Pentax Cameras
    • Fujifilm Cameras
    • Olympus Cameras
    • Panasonic Cameras
    • Leica Cameras
    • Samsung Cameras
  • BODY TYPE
    • Mirrorless Cameras
    • DSLR Cameras
    • Compact Cameras
    • Bridge Cameras
    • Waterproof Cameras

Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2 Comparison

x
Camera to replace
Change

Canon SX30 IS

14 MP | 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD Sensor

Canon SX30 IS
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Change

Leica X2

16 MP | APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) CMOS Sensor

Leica X2
CHECK PRICE
CHECK PRICE
Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2 Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two cameras with different body types: Canon SX30 IS, which was introduced in September 2010 is a Small Sensor Superzoom camera with a 14.0MP 1/2.3" sensor whereas Leica X2, which was introduced in May 2012 is a Large Sensor Compact camera with a 16.0MP APS-C sensor. There is 20 months difference between SX30 IS and X2 so we don't expect to see a huge technology difference between these two cameras but it would still give an advantage to younger X2, especially in sensor tech.

Here is a brief look at the main features of Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Canon SX30 IS Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2010-09-14
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" CCD Sensor
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 24-840 mm F2.7-5.8 Zoom Lens
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • Electronic viewfinder
  • 1 fps continuous shooting
  • HD - 1280 x 720 video resolution
  • 601g. 123 x 92 x 108 mm
  • Replaced Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Compare

Leica X2 Key Specs

  • Announcement Date: 2012-05-10
  • 16MP - APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 36 mm f2.80 Prime Lens
  • 2.7" Fixed Type Screen
  • 5 fps continuous shooting
  • No Video Mode
  • 345g. 124 x 69 x 52 mm
  • Replaced Leica X1 Compare

Canon SX30 IS was replaced by Canon PowerShot SX40 HS. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS vs Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS vs Leica X2

Leica X2 was replaced by Leica X Vario. You may also be interested in these comparisons:
Leica X Vario vs Leica X2
Leica X Vario vs Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

Let's read on the following sections in order to better understand in detail how Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 compares and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Reasons to choose Canon PowerShot SX30 IS over Leica X2
Image Stabilization
Optical vs None Sharper images at longer focal lengths and long exposures
LCD Screen
Fully Articulated vs Fixed Type Flexible shooting positions
Viewfinder
Electronic vs Electronic (Optional) Better framing and control
Max Mech. Shutter
1/3200s vs 1/2000s faster mechanical shutter
Focal Length - Wide
24mm vs 36mm 12 mm wider coverage
Focal Length - Tele
840mm vs 36mm 804 mm longer tele reach
Optical Zoom
35× vs 1× more flexible focal coverage
Max Aperture - Wide
2.70 vs 2.80 faster lens at wide
Max Video Resolution
1280 x 720 vs None Higher Resolution Video
Selfie & Vlogger Friendly LCD
Yes vs No Rotate LCD for taking Selfies


Reasons to choose Leica X2 over Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
RAW Support
Yes vs No Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs No very handy for portraits
Max Sensor Resolution
16 MP vs 14 MP 14% more pixels
Max ISO
12.500 vs 1.600 681% higher Max ISO
Number of Focus Points
11 vs 9 2 more focus points
Continuous Shooting
5.0fps vs 1.0fps 4 fps faster
Weight
345 g vs 601 g 256 g lighter
Max Aperture - Tele
2.80 vs 5.80 faster lens at tele
Sensor Pixel Area
23.19µm2 vs 2.01µm2 1053% larger pixel area

Common Strengths of Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Leica X2
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes Useful in low-light
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs Yes Better for flash photography
Manual Focusing
Yes vs Yes both have manual focusing modes
Manual Exposure
Yes vs Yes better exposure control
Common Weaknesses of Canon PowerShot SX30 IS and Leica X2
LCD Screen Size
2.7" vs 2.7" Small display
LCD Screen Resolution
230k dots vs 230k dots Low resolution screens
Environmental Sealing
No vs No not suitable for tough conditions
AE Bracketing
No vs No Not good for multi-exposure HDR
Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2: Physical Specs and Body features Comparison

Size and weight is a big decision factor when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs. In this section, We are going to illustrate Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon SX30 IS has external dimensions of 123 x 92 x 108 mm (4.84 x 3.62 x 4.25″) and weighs 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz) (including batteries). Leica X2 has external dimensions of 124 x 69 x 52 mm (4.88 x 2.72 x 2.05″) and weighs 345 g (0.76 lb / 12.17 oz) (including batteries).

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2. Leica X2 is 23mm shorter and 56mm thinner than Canon SX30 IS but it is also 1mm wider.

Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2 Camera Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 Size, Weight and External Dimensions - Front View

Weight is another important factor especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day. Leica X2 is significantly lighter (256g ) than the Canon SX30 IS which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.

Weight Comparison

Compact Cameras

SX30 IS
X2
Min
Average
Max
Thickness Comparison

Compact Cameras

SX30 IS
X2
Min
Average
Max

Weather Sealing

Unfortunately neither Canon PowerShot SX30 IS nor Leica X2 provides any type of weather sealing in their body, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections:
Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing
Top Compact Cameras with Weather Sealing

LCD Screen Size and Features

Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2's LCD screens has the same diagonal size of 2.7".

On the other hand, Canon SX30 IS sports a Fully Articulated screen which you can change the angle and position of the screen almost freely, making it possible to shoot from waist or over the head levels, and especially very useful for shooting selfies and video. Leica X2's LCD screen is a fixed type which provides almost no flexibility in shooting positions compared to SX30 IS.
Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2: Sensor Comparison

Canon SX30 IS has a 14.0MP 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm ) sized CCD sensor and features Digic 4 processor. On the other hand, Leica X2 has a 16.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm ) sized CMOS sensor .

Below you can see the SX30 IS and X2 sensor size comparison.

Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2 Sensor Size Comparison
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 Cameras


As seen above, Leica X2 has a 13.3x Larger sensor area than Canon SX30 IS. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in same focal length and aperture.

Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2 Lens Specs Comparison

Canon SX30 IS features a 24-840 mm F2.7-5.8 35× zoom lens whereas Leica X2 features a 36 mm F2.8 Prime lens.

It is not easy to compare a prime lens with a zoom lens. Canon SX30 IS's zoom lens provides a great flexibility compared to Leica X2's 36mm fixed focal length lens. On the other hand, X2's prime lens makes it a specialized camera. You compromise the flexibility of a zoom in order to enjoy the high image quality and unique rendering of this fast lens. On the tele end, Canon SX30 IS has 804mm longer reach than the Leica X2. However, with a max aperture of f2.80, Leica X2 is faster at tele end.

Wide Coverage

DSLR-Like Cameras

SX30 IS
X2
Widest - Samsung WB2200F
Average
Telezoom

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

SX30 IS
X2
Longest - Nikon P1000
Average
Max Aperture at Tele

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

SX30 IS
X2
Fastest - Olympus 1
Average
Max Aperture at Wide

Large Sensor Compact Cameras

SX30 IS
X2
Fastest - Sony RX10 III
Average
What types of Photography are Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 Good for?
In this section, we rank and compare Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 for five different photography types in order to make your decision process easier in case you are specifically interested in one or more of these areas.

Canon SX30 IS for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE

Leica X2 for Portrait Photography

AVERAGE
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
RAW shooting capability
External Flash Shoe
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
Optional External Viewfinder
No Image Stabilization
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Read the details

Canon SX30 IS for Street Photography

GOOD

Leica X2 for Street Photography

AVERAGE
Image Stabilization
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Live-view
Fully Articulated LCD Screen
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.70
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Medium sized Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
RAW shooting capability
Manual Focus Mode
Small Body
Live-view
Face-Detection Focusing
Fast Lens at Wide: f2.80
Optional External Viewfinder
No Image Stabilization
36 mm - Poor Wide Angle Coverage
Read the details

Canon SX30 IS for Sports Photography

AVERAGE

Leica X2 for Sports Photography

POOR
Image Stabilization
External Flash Shoe
Electronic Built-in Viewfinder
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
840 mm Tele Lens
Average Ergonomics&Handling
Average Max shutter speed: 1/3200s
No RAW shooting capability
Slow Continuous Shooting: 1.0fps
Environmental Sealings
9 Focus Points
Slow Lens at Tele: f5.80
Read the details
RAW shooting capability
External Flash Shoe
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
11 Focus Points
Optional External Viewfinder
Average Continuous Shooting: 5.0fps
Average Max shutter speed: 1/2000s
No Image Stabilization
Not so good Ergonomics&Handling
Environmental Sealings
36 mm Tele Lens
Read the details

Canon SX30 IS for Daily Photography

AVERAGE

Leica X2 for Daily Photography

AVERAGE
35.0X Optical Zoom
Medium size Body
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
601g
Body Thickness 108mm
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
RAW shooting capability
Compact Body
345g
Body Thickness 52mm
Read the details

Canon SX30 IS for Landscape Photography

POOR

Leica X2 for Landscape Photography

POOR
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
24 mm - Good Wide Angle Coverage
Average Resolution Sensor: 14.0MP
Small 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) sensor
No RAW shooting capability
No Environmental Sealings
Read the details
Large APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm) sensor
Manual Focus Mode
Manual Exposure Mode
Average Resolution Sensor: 16.0MP
No Environmental Sealings
36 mm - Poor Wide Angle Coverage
Read the details

Canon SX30 IS vs Leica X2: OUR DECISION

You may have already made your decision about which camera suits better for your needs and your budget so far but in case you wonder how we rated Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2, below you can find their scores in five different aspects. Our Decision Algorithm dynamically scores cameras using 63 different specs, current price and DxO Mark scores (where possible) in order to make a more objective and consistent comparison.

Here is a summary of how Canon SX30 IS and Leica X2 scores compare:

Canon SX30 IS
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #69 out of 113 in SLR-like (bridge) cameras
Ranked #626 out of 1220 in all Cameras
Leica X2
Imaging
Features
Value
Portability
Overall
Ranked #48 out of 61 in Large sensor compact cameras
Ranked #496 out of 1220 in all Cameras

Leica X2 scores higher than the Canon SX30 IS thanks to its better general imaging quality, compact size and higher value for the money. On the other hand, Canon SX30 IS has some extra features which may become a game changer if you have some specific requirements.
We recommend you to read our detailed Pro's and Con's section and see if any Pro of Canon SX30 IS is a must-have for you. If not, choose the Leica X2.

Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX30 IS
CHECK PRICE

CHECK PRICE

Leica X2
Leica X2
CHECK PRICE

CHECK PRICE

Leica X2 vs Canon SX30 IS Specs Table
Detailed comparison of specifications
General Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Leica X2
Brand Canon Leica
Announced 2010-09-14 2012-05-10
Body Type SLR-like (bridge) Large sensor compact
Sensor
Type CCD CMOS
Size 1/2.3" APS-C
Dimensions 6.17 x 4.55 mm 23.6 x 15.8 mm
Area 28.07mm2 372.88mm2
Megapixels 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Max Resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max Native Light sensitivity 1,600 ISO 12,500 ISO
Min Native Light sensitivity 80 ISO 100 ISO
RAW Support
Autofocus
AF Touch
AF Continuous
AF Single
AF Tracking
AF Selective
AF Center
AF Multi Area
AF Live View
AF Face Detection
AF Contrast Detection
AF Phase Detection
Number of Focus Points 9 11
Lens
Manual Focus
Lens Mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens Focal Range 24-840 mm (35×) 36 mm (1×)
Max Aperture F2.7-5.8 F2.8
Macro Focus Range 0cm 30cm
Screen
Type Fully Articulated Fixed type
Size 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Touch Screen
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic (optional)
Photography Features
Max Mechanical Shutter 1/3200s 1/2000s
Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority
Manual Exposure Mode
Custom White Balance
Image Stabilization Optical No
Built-in Flash
Flash Range 6.80 m n/a
External Flash
Continuous Shooting 1.0 fps 5.0 fps
Multi-Segment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF-Area
Center Weighted
AE Bracketing
WB Bracketing
Video Features
Max Video Resolution 1280 x 720 None
Video Formats Motion JPEG n/a
Microphone Port
Headphone Port
Connectivity
Wireless Connectivity Eye-Fi Connected None
HDMI
Physical
Environmental Sealing
Weight 601g 345g
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm 124 x 69 x 52mm
Battery Life n/a 450 shots
Other Features
Timelapse Recording
GPS None None
DxO Sensor Scores
Report a correction Report a correction


FOLLOW US


Most Popular Cameras
Nikon Z7
46 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon Z Mount
Sony A6000
24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Sony E Mount
Sony A7 III
24 MP | Full frame Sensor | Sony E Mount
Fujifilm X-T3
26 MP | APS-C Sensor | Fujifilm X Mount
Canon R
30 MP | Full frame Sensor | Canon RF Mount
Sony A6400
24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Sony E Mount
Nikon D5600
24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Nikon F Mount
Nikon D850
46 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon F Mount
Top Rated Bridge Cameras
Top Bridge Cameras Under $200
Top Bridge Cameras Under $500
Top Bridge Cameras Under $750
Top Bridge Cameras Under $1000
Top Rated Compact Cameras
Top Compact Cameras Under $200
Top Compact Cameras Under $500
Top Compact Cameras Under $750
Top Compact Cameras Under $1000
Latest Cameras
Leica SL2-S
24 MP | Full frame Sensor | Leica L Mount
Leica Q2 Monochrom
47 MP | Full frame Sensor | 28 mm
Fujifilm X-S10
26 MP | APS-C Sensor | Fujifilm X Mount
Nikon Z7 II
46 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon Z Mount
Nikon Z6 II
25 MP | Full frame Sensor | Nikon Z Mount
Canon M50 II
24 MP | APS-C Sensor | Canon EF-M Mount
Sony A7c
24 MP | Full frame Sensor | Sony E Mount
Panasonic S5
24 MP | Full frame Sensor | Leica L Mount
Copyright © 2020 by CameraDecision
About Feedback Privacy Cameras

Report a Correction