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Canon SX530 vs Leica X2

The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS and the Leica X2 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2015 and May 2012. Both the SX530 and the X2 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 1/2.3-inch (SX530) and an APS-C (X2) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 15.9 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 SX530
versus
Leica X2
Canon SX530   Leica X2
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5 36mm f/2.8
15.9 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 16.1 MP – APS-C sensor
1080/30p Video no Video
ISO 100-3,200 ISO 100-12,500
No viewfinder, LCD framing Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 461k dots 2.7" LCD – 230k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
1.6 shutter flaps per second 5 shutter flaps per second
210 shots per battery charge450 shots per battery charge
120 x 82 x 92 mm, 442 g 124 x 69 x 52 mm, 345 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon PowerShot SX530 HS and the Leica X2? 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Canon SX530 and the Leica X2 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.

The X2 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the SX530 is only available in black.

Size Canon SX530 vs Leica X2
Compare SX530 versus X2 top
Comparison SX530 or X2 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica X2 is notably smaller (13 percent) than the Canon SX530. Moreover, the X2 is markedly lighter (22 percent) than the SX530. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the SX530 nor the X2 are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the SX530 gets 210 shots out of its Canon NB-6LH battery, while the X2 can take 450 images on a single charge of its Leica BP-DC8 power pack.

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.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX530 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 442 g 210 n Jan 2015 US$ 429ebay.com
2.
 
Leica X2 124 mm 69 mm 52 mm 345 g 450 n May 2012 US$ 1 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1200D 130 mm 100 mm 78 mm 480 g 500 n Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1300D 129 mm 101 mm 78 mm 485 g 500 n Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 4000D 129 mm 102 mm 77 mm 436 g 500 n Feb 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M10 108 mm 67 mm 35 mm 301 g 255 n Oct 2015 US$ 499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX60 128 mm 93 mm 114 mm 650 g 340 n Sep 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX520 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 441 g 210 n Jul 2014 US$ 399ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX540 120 mm 82 mm 92 mm 442 g 205 n Jan 2016 US$ 399ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X100T 127 mm 74 mm 52 mm 440 g 330 n Sep 2014 US$ 1 299ebay.com
12.
 
Leica T 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 384 g 400 n Apr 2014 US$ 1 849ebay.com
13.
 
Leica TL 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 384 g 400 n Nov 2016 US$ 1 695ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X1 124 mm 60 mm 32 mm 306 g 260 n Sep 2009 US$ 1 999ebay.com
15.
 
Leica X Vario 133 mm 73 mm 95 mm 680 g 450 n Jun 2013 US$ 2 849ebay.com
16.
 
Leica X Typ 113 133 mm 73 mm 78 mm 486 g 350 n Sep 2014 US$ 2 299ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 SX530 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 79 percent) than the X2, 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon SX530 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Leica X2 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the X2 is 1221 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 1.5. The sensor in the SX530 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the X2 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Canon SX530 and Leica X2 sensor measures

With 16.1MP, the X2 offers a higher resolution than the SX530 (15.9MP), but the X2 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.79μm versus 1.33μm for the SX530) due to its larger sensor. However, the SX530 is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 7 months) than the X2, 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 SX530 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Canon PowerShot SX530 HS has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica X2 are ISO 100 to ISO 12500 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the SX530 is build around a BSI-CMOS sensor, while the X2 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

SX530 versus X2 MP

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

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Canon SX530 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.211.671247
2.
 
Leica X2 APS-C 16.1 4928 3264none23.212.4127574
3.
 
Canon 1200D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.372463
4.
 
Canon 1300D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.011.778166
5.
 
Canon 4000D APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p21.911.469563
6.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
7.
 
Canon M10 APS-C 17.9 5184 34561080/30p22.211.475365
8.
 
Canon SX60 1/2.3 14.2 4608 30721080/60p19.210.812739
9.
 
Canon SX520 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34561080/30p20.111.567246
10.
 
Canon SX540 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.311.780648
11.
 
Fujifilm X100T APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.612.8148378
12.
 
Leica T APS-C 16.2 4944 32781080/30p23.012.7108275
13.
 
Leica TL APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.913.2169081
14.
 
Leica X1 APS-C 12.2 4272 2856none22.611.8103769
15.
 
Leica X Vario APS-C 16.1 4928 32721080/30p23.412.7132078
16.
 
Leica X Typ 113 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.612.8149178
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The SX530 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the X2 does not. The highest resolution format that the SX530 can use is 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The SX530 and the X2 are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. That said, the X2 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF 2. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Canon SX530 and Leica X2 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty 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.
 
Canon SX530none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
2.
 
Leica X2optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 1200Doptical n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
4.
 
Canon 1300Doptical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon 4000Doptical n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon M10none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.6/s Y n
8.
 
Canon SX60922 n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/2000s 6.4/s Y Y
9.
 
Canon SX520none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 1.6/s Y Y
10.
 
Canon SX540none n3.0 / 461 fixed n 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
11.
 
Fujifilm X100T2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Leica Toptional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
13.
 
Leica TLoptional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
14.
 
Leica X1none n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Leica X Variooptional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
16.
 
Leica X Typ 113optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

The SX530 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the X2 comes with a built-in prime. The SX530 has a 24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5 optic and the X2 offers a 36mm f/2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Canon provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Leica. The X2 offers the faster maximum aperture.

The SX530 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the X2 uses SDHC cards.

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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 PowerShot SX530 HS and Leica X2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Canon SX530-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
2.
 
Leica X2Y- / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 1200DYmono / mono--mini2.0---
4.
 
Canon 1300DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon 4000DYmono / mono--mini2.0YY-
6.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Canon M10-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
8.
 
Canon SX60Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Canon SX520-stereo / mono--mini2.0---
10.
 
Canon SX540-stereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
11.
 
Fujifilm X100TYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Leica TYstereo / mono---2.0Y--
13.
 
Leica TLYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
14.
 
Leica X1Y- / ---mini2.0---
15.
 
Leica X VarioYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
16.
 
Leica X Typ 113Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---

It is notable that the SX530 offers wifi support, while the X2 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Both the SX530 and the X2 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The SX530 was replaced by the Canon SX540, while the X2 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the SX530 and X2 can be found, respectively, in the Canon SX530 Manual (free pdf) or the online Leica X2 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Canon SX530 or the Leica X2 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Reasons to prefer the Canon PowerShot SX530 HS:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/30p movies.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (461k vs 230k dots).
  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (79 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 7 months of technical progress since the X2 launch.

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Advantages of the Leica X2:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
  • Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
  • More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
  • More framing options: Can be equipped with a hotshoe-mounted accessory-viewfinder.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (5 vs 1.6 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/2.8 vs f/3.4).
  • More compact: Is smaller (124x69mm vs 120x82mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 97g or 22 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (450 versus 210) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in May 2012).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the X2 is the clear winner of the contest (14 : 10 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

SX530 10:14 X2

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon SX530 and the Leica X2 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact 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 SX530 and the X2 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 following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Canon SX530..+ +....4/54/5 Jan 2015 US$ 429ebay.com
2.
 
Leica X23/5......3/54/5 May 2012 US$ 1 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1200D3/5+....4/54.5/5 Feb 2014 US$ 449ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 1300D4/5o4/573/1004/54/5 Mar 2016 US$ 449ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 4000D2.5/5o3/5..3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2018 US$ 399 amazon.com
6.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 US$ 799ebay.com
7.
 
Canon M10..........4/5 Oct 2015 US$ 499ebay.com
8.
 
Canon SX603/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2014 US$ 549ebay.com
9.
 
Canon SX520..+....3.5/53.5/5 Jul 2014 US$ 399ebay.com
10.
 
Canon SX540............ Jan 2016 US$ 399ebay.com
11.
 
Fujifilm X100T5/5+..81/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2014 US$ 1 299ebay.com
12.
 
Leica T3/5......4/54/5 Apr 2014 US$ 1 849ebay.com
13.
 
Leica TL..........4/5 Nov 2016 US$ 1 695ebay.com
14.
 
Leica X13/5....+..4/5 Sep 2009 US$ 1 999ebay.com
15.
 
Leica X Vario3/5......4/54/5 Jun 2013 US$ 2 849ebay.com
16.
 
Leica X Typ 1133.5/5......3.5/54/5 Sep 2014 US$ 2 299ebay.com
Note: (+ +) 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. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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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 your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Canon SX530 vs Leica X2

    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 Canon SX530 Leica X2
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-1200mm f/3.4-6.5 36mm f/2.8
    Launch Date January 2015 May 2012
    Launch Price USD 429 USD 1,999
    Sensor Specs Canon SX530 Leica X2
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 23.7 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 369.72 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 28.4 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 15.9 Megapixels 16.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4608 x 3456 pixels 4928 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.33 μm 4.79 μm
    Pixel Density 56.73 MP/cm2 4.35 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 12,500 ISO
    Screen Specs Canon SX530 Leica X2
    Viewfinder Type no viewfinder Viewfinder optional
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.7inch
    LCD Resolution 461k dots 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Canon SX530 Leica X2
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 1.6 shutter flaps/s 5 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Canon SX530 Leica X2
    External Flash no Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in no NFC
    Body Specs Canon SX530 Leica X2
    Battery Type Canon NB-6LH Leica BP-DC8
    Battery Life (CIPA)210 shots per charge450 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92 mm
    (4.7 x 3.2 x 3.6 in)
    124 x 69 x 52 mm
    (4.9 x 2.7 x 2.0 in)
    Camera Weight 442 g (15.6 oz) 345 g (12.2 oz)
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