Fujifilm FinePix SL240 vs Leica V-Lux 5: A Deep Dive into Two Bridge Cameras from Distinct Eras

In the landscape of superzoom bridge cameras, options range widely across sensor sizes, optics, and technological capabilities. Today, we comprehensively compare two bridge-type superzooms rooted in different generations and design philosophies: the Fujifilm FinePix SL240, released in 2012, and the Leica V-Lux 5, introduced in 2020. Though both feature fixed superzoom lenses, their fundamental specifications diverge significantly, shaping distinct user experiences and photographic potential.

This comparison delivers an expert, experience-driven evaluation of both cameras, drawing from hands-on testing methods developed over 15 years and thousands of camera evaluations. We analyze them across the full gamut of photography disciplines and technical criteria to help enthusiasts and professionals determine which system fits their needs and workflow.

Physical Dimensions and Ergonomics: Handling and Portability

Bridge cameras often walk a fine line between compactness and usability, with size and control layout being crucial for sustained shooting comfort. We begin by contrasting these two cameras’ physicality and treatment of controls.

• Fujifilm SL240 measures 122 x 93 x 100 mm and weighs 510 grams, making it relatively lightweight for its category.
• Leica V-Lux 5 is larger and heavier at 137 x 97 x 132 mm, tipping the scales at 812 grams.

The difference in bulk is partly explained by Leica’s larger 1-inch sensor and more sophisticated internal components. The SL240’s smaller footprint supports more discreet travel photography and unencumbered handheld use, but the tradeoff is in ergonomics; its SLR-like design with a plastic chassis feels less solid and lacks extensive grip molding.

The V-Lux 5’s body employs higher-grade materials and a pronounced grip, improving stability for longer telephoto shots and professional use cases. Users accustomed to DSLR form factors will appreciate Leica’s sizable command dials and buttons, reducing menu diving during active shooting.

Top Controls and User Interface: Operational Efficiency

A camera’s control layout profoundly affects efficiency, especially in fast-paced scenarios like wildlife or sports photography. We analyzed the top panel design, button arrangement, and accessibility.

• The Fujifilm SL240 offers limited external controls, with basic dials for shutter and aperture priority but lacks customizable buttons or dedicated AF area selectors.
• In contrast, the Leica V-Lux 5 presents a more conventional DSLR-style top layout, including a mode dial, exposure compensation dial, dedicated ISO button, and a function button assignable to user preferences.

Leica’s ergonomic refinement enables rapid exposure adjustments and AF mode shifts, beneficial for experienced shooters. Fujifilm’s more simplified interface may frustrate power users needing quick access to settings, but for casual shooters, it reduces complexity.

Sensor Size, Resolution, and Image Quality Potentials

At the heart of image capture lies sensor technology, dictating resolution, dynamic range, noise characteristics, and overall image fidelity. The two cameras differ significantly in sensor scale and type.

• The Fujifilm SL240 employs a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor with 14MP resolution (4288 x 3216 pixels). The sensor area is approximately 28.07 mm².
• The Leica V-Lux 5 uses a 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 20MP resolution (5472 x 3648 pixels), with a much larger sensor area of 116.16 mm², over four times larger.

Technical implications:

• The larger sensor of the Leica yields better light-gathering ability, resulting in superior low-light performance, higher dynamic range, and finer detail retention.
• The CCD sensor technology in the Fujifilm, while capable of delivering respectable daylight images, exhibits inferior noise control at elevated ISOs, a limitation compounded by its maximum native ISO of 1600.
• Leica’s BSI-CMOS sensor supports higher native sensitivity (ISO 80-12,500) and boosted ISO up to 25,000, expanding utility in challenging lighting.
• The Leica’s absence of a dust or waterproof sealing, however, demands care in inclement conditions despite its advanced sensor.

Practically, these sensor distinctions mean the Leica V-Lux 5 can produce images with richer tonal gradations, improved shadow detail, and cleaner highlights. Photographers focusing on landscape or professional work will find these qualities vital.

LCD and Electronic Viewfinder: Composition and Review Experience

Effective framing and image review are facilitated by quality viewfinder and display systems - areas where technological progress is apparent between these two models.

• Fujifilm SL240 features a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution, no touchscreen capabilities, and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) covering 97% of the frame with unspecified resolution.
• Leica V-Lux 5 offers a 3-inch fully articulated touchscreen LCD at 1.24 million dots, along with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (2.36 million dots) covering 100% of the frame.

From a practical standpoint:

• The V-Lux 5’s articulated touchscreen facilitates easier high- and low-angle compositions, self-portrait framing, and intuitive menu navigation.
• Its high-resolution EVF provides a clearer, more accurate real-time preview, essential for manual focus adjustments and critical exposure assessment.
• Conversely, the SL240’s modest LCD falls short in harsh lighting conditions, and lack of touchscreen impedes quick setting changes.

Video shooters and macro photographers especially benefit from the V-Lux’s articulation and touchscreen responsiveness, enabling precision framing and focus pullovers.

Optical versus Sensor Stabilization and Lens Characteristics

Both cameras integrate image stabilization, critical for superzoom lenses where telephoto shake is pronounced, but the implementation and lens specs differ.

• Fujifilm SL240 employs sensor-shift (in-body) stabilization.
• Leica V-Lux 5 features optical image stabilization (OIS) built into the lens assembly.

Sensor-shift in the SL240, while effective within limits, tends to lag behind the efficacy of optical IS in counteracting camera shake, particularly at extreme focal lengths or slow shutter speeds. Leica’s optical system provides smoother compensation that is less dependent on sensor mechanics.

Lens-wise:

The Fujifilm offers a longer telephoto reach (576 mm equivalent) giving an advantage in distant subject capture, such as wildlife or birding, but at the expense of aperture speed and light gathering at the tele end.

The Leica V-Lux 5’s faster maximum apertures across the zoom range enable better subject isolation and low-light shooting, although its shorter zoom range may restrict extreme telephoto applications.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Versatility

Autofocus (AF) capability is paramount for dynamic shooting genres like sports, wildlife, and street photography. Here, the two cameras diverge markedly in sophistication.

• Fujifilm SL240 utilizes contrast detection AF, with face detection and limited AF area selection capabilities. It supports continuous autofocus (AF-C) but lacks phase detection or advanced subject tracking.
• Leica V-Lux 5 incorporates contrast detection with more advanced algorithms, supports face and eye detection AF, and offers 49 focus points with some selective focus area capability.

Performance observations:

• SL240 autofocus is comparatively slow, making it less suitable for fast-moving subjects. Its single continuous shooting speed of 1 fps restricts its application in sports.
• Leica V-Lux 5 supports burst rates up to 12 fps, paired with accurate AF tracking, making it capable of capturing decisive moments in action-oriented settings.
• For macro or precise focus tasks, Leica’s touchscreen AF point selection and focus peaking aid manual focusing, which is unavailable on the SL240.

Overall, Leica’s autofocus system is significantly more capable, enabling shooting in varied environments with tricky subjects.

Video Performance and Capabilities

For photographers incorporating video capture, distinctions in recording resolution, codec, and connectivity merit close attention.

• The Fujifilm SL240 supports 720p HD video at 30 fps, recorded in H.264 or Motion JPEG formats. It lacks microphone input, headphone jack, and offers no in-camera stabilization beyond sensor shift.
• The Leica V-Lux 5 provides UHD 4K video at 30/24 fps up to 100 Mbps, Full HD 1080p at 60 fps, and includes a microphone input (no headphone output). It supports optical stabilization during video, enhancing handheld shooting results.

In real-world shooting:

• The Leica stands clearly ahead for videographers requiring high resolution, frame rate flexibility, and manual exposure control.
• The SL240’s video capabilities are basic and unlikely to satisfy professional or enthusiast videographers; they serve simple casual use only.

Battery Life and Storage Practicalities

Longevity and media capacity are pivotal for travel and extended sessions.

• Fujifilm SL240 uses the NP-85 proprietary battery pack delivering approximately 300 shots per charge.
• Leica’s V-Lux 5 integrates a built-in battery rated at roughly 360 shots.

Both utilize SD/SDHC/SDXC cards via a single card slot. The Leica’s slightly improved battery capacity, though modest compared to modern mirrorless cameras, is supplemented by more energy-efficient electronics and USB charging support. The SL240 lacks wireless connectivity, whereas Leica includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, streamlining image transfer and remote control operations.

Durability, Build Quality, and Weather Resistance

Neither camera features environmental sealing or ruggedized construction. Users should exercise caution in harsh conditions or opt for external weatherproof housings.

From handling experience, Leica’s V-Lux 5 body feels more robust and premium, whereas Fujifilm’s SL240 exhibits flex under moderate pressure due to its plastic construction.

Comparison of Output Quality: Sample Images and Processing

To contextualize laboratory data, we compared JPEG outputs and in-camera processing of both models in equivalent lighting.

Fujifilm SL240 front Fujifilm SL240 screen back Leica V Lux 5 front Leica V Lux 5 screen back

• Fujifilm SL240 images exhibit typical superzoom CCD characteristics: limited dynamic range, moderate color fidelity, and visible noise beyond ISO 400.
• Leica V-Lux 5 photos demonstrate richer tonality, sharper fine detail, and superior high ISO cleanliness, aided by more advanced image processing engines.

However, Fujifilm’s longer reach and macro performance allow utility in specialized scenarios despite image quality limitations.

Overall Performance Summary and Ratings

We synthesized core features, handling, and output into overall performance ratings, integrating professional testing benchmarks.

Strengths and Weaknesses by Photography Genre

Detailed performance across major photographic disciplines provides actionable insights:

• Portrait: Leica V-Lux 5 excels with accurate face detection, smoother bokeh from wider apertures, and better skin tone reproduction.
• Landscape: Leica’s larger sensor and dynamic range advantage deliver superior landscape images; Fujifilm’s smaller sensor is adequate but less nuanced.
• Wildlife: Fujifilm’s extensive zoom range offers reach, but autofocus and burst limitations hinder fast subject capture. Leica balances reach and speed better.
• Sports: Only Leica supports sufficient burst rate and AF tracking; Fujifilm’s 1 fps and contrast-detect AF prove limiting.
• Street: Fujifilm’s smaller size and discreet profile offer advantages for street shooters valuing portability; Leica’s form factor weighs heavier.
• Macro: Both cameras allow close focusing (2 cm vs 3 cm); Leica’s superior focusing precision aids macro, but Fujifilm reaches slightly closer.
• Night/Astro: Leica’s higher ISO capability and lower noise levels are definitive; Fujifilm’s ISO ceiling and sensor noise limit nocturnal shooting.
• Video: Leica is the clear winner with 4K UHD output and microphone input.
• Travel: Fujifilm’s size and weight favor travel; Leica’s flexibility and image quality make it a capable if heavier tool.
• Professional Work: Leica’s RAW support, advanced controls, and image quality position it as a viable professional backup; Fujifilm is more consumer grade.

Value Proposition and Pricing Considerations

• The Fujifilm SL240, priced around $280 at launch, remains an affordable entry-level superzoom with basic capabilities for casual users or budget travelers.
• The Leica V-Lux 5, marketed near $1550, targets enthusiasts and professionals requiring considerable image quality, video features, and control over a versatile zoom length.

Given the substantial price difference, Leica demands justification through superior results and professional features. For many enthusiasts on a budget, the Fujifilm remains an accessible option, albeit with technical drawbacks evident in demanding applications.

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which Camera?

• Choose Fujifilm FinePix SL240 if:

  • You prioritize an affordable, lightweight superzoom for casual travel or family photography.
  • You need extended telephoto reach (576 mm equivalent) for distant subjects without system complexity.
  • You accept modest image quality and slower AF performance as trade-offs for ease of use.

• Choose Leica V-Lux 5 if:

  • You demand high image fidelity in varied lighting and professional-grade video quality.
  • You require rapid autofocus, burst rates, and customizable controls for wildlife, sports, or multimedia workflows.
  • Budget allows for premium investment in a versatile, high-performance fixed-lens bridge camera.

Conclusion

Our side-by-side assessment highlights the evolution of bridge cameras over nearly a decade, with the Leica V-Lux 5 leveraging newer sensor technology, faster autofocus, and modern ergonomics to deliver substantially improved photographic and videographic experiences. In contrast, the Fujifilm FinePix SL240 remains a competent entry-level superzoom with notable limitations.

Users must weigh their priorities relative to size, image quality, speed, and price. Professionals or avid enthusiasts seeking a compact yet powerful all-in-one solution will find more satisfaction with the Leica V-Lux 5. Conversely, budget-conscious travelers and casual shooters may still find the Fujifilm SL240 a serviceable choice where convenience and zoom reach outweigh advanced features.

Every purchasing decision hinges on intended use, performance expectations, and workflow compatibility - our detailed breakdown aims to empower readers with the trustworthy expert insights necessary to make those calls confidently.