Canon EOS M vs Leica C

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Canon EOS M vs Leica C

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APS-C 332.3mm²
18.0 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Canon EOS M Review.
How does it shoot? Canon EOS M in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the EOS M.
Compare Canon EOS M image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon EOS M conclusion.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.1 megapixels
28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica C Review.

Succeeded by the Canon EOS M3
Compare EOS M vs EOS M3
Compare Canon EOS M3 vs Leica C

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Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Leica C

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Less expensive
$600 vs $699 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.30 vs 1.90 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
EOS M test data on DxO Mark C test data on DxO Mark

827 vs 193 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
More pixels
18.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Higher extended ISO
25600 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica C advantages over Canon EOS M

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Longer exposure
250 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.
Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.
Read our Canon EOS M Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica C.
Read our Leica C Preview

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-C3

$600
APS-C

Touchscreen
On-sensor phase detect

$559
APS-C

Lens selection
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-C3

Leica C

Sony NEX-C3

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$559
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Leica C vs Sony NEX-C3

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5N

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5N

Leica C

Sony NEX-5N

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica C vs Sony NEX-5N

Compared to Canon S100

Canon EOS M

Canon S100

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$429
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon EOS M vs Canon S100

Leica C

Canon S100

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$429
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Leica C vs Canon S100

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M

Sony NEX-5R

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Canon EOS M vs Sony NEX-5R

Leica C

Sony NEX-5R

$699
1/1.7 inch

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Leica C vs Sony NEX-5R

Compared to Panasonic LF1

Canon EOS M

Panasonic LF1

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$248
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon EOS M vs Panasonic LF1

Leica C

Panasonic LF1

$699
1/1.7 inch

$248
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive

Compare Leica C vs Panasonic LF1

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