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Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4

Portability
65
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS front
 
Leica V-Lux 4 front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Key Specs

Canon SX20 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.7) lens
  • 600g - 128 x 88 x 87mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Older Model is Canon SX10 IS
  • New Model is Canon SX30 IS
Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Replaced the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Replacement is Leica V-Lux 5
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Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Leica. The sensor resolution of the SX20 IS (12MP) and the V-Lux 4 (12MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX20 IS was unveiled 3 years earlier than the V-Lux 4 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the SX20 IS matches up vs the V-Lux 4 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX20 IS over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SX20 IS V-Lux 4 

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Canon SX20 IS

 V-Lux 4 SX20 IS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012July 2010More recent by 26 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX20 IS and Leica V-Lux 4

 SX20 IS V-Lux 4 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX20 IS provides outer measurements of 128mm x 88mm x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Leica V-Lux 4 has dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SX20 IS against the V-Lux 4.

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SX20 IS and V-Lux 4 is 65 and 65 respectively.

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by going through specs. The graphic below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX20 IS and V-Lux 4.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photos although you should always factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The older SX20 IS will be behind in sensor technology.

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 sensor size comparison

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX20 IS
Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
37
you can focus manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/500 seconds)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
45
focusing manually
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX20 IS
Street photography with Leica V-Lux 4
49
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (600 grams)
57
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
very small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (588 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Sports photography highlights
Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography highlights
34
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
46
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery (540 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX20 IS as a Travel photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
53
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
55
great battery (540 per charge)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (588g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SX20 IS Landscape photography details
Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography details
35
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
48
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
great battery (540 per charge)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX20 IS
Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 4
50
fairly wide (28mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (600g)
63
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than others in class (588 grams)
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Canon SX20 IS vs Leica V-Lux 4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX20 IS and Leica V-Lux 4
 Canon PowerShot SX20 ISLeica V-Lux 4
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Leica
Model type Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Leica V-Lux 4
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-07-06 2012-09-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.7 f/2.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,312 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 13.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 588 grams (1.30 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 88 x 87mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 3.4") 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 540 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD / SDHC / MMC / MMC Plus / HC MMC Plus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $500 $899