Leica V-Lux 2 vs Nikon Coolpix S6500: Deep Dive into Two Small Sensor Superzooms

Choosing a superzoom camera is often a balancing act - between reach, image quality, portability, and usability. Today I’m putting two intriguing small sensor superzooms under the microscope: the Leica V-Lux 2, announced in 2010 and known for its SLR-like handling and expansive zoom range, versus the more recent Nikon Coolpix S6500, released in early 2013 as a very portable compact with decent zoom capabilities. Over hours of hands-on testing and side-by-side comparison, I’ll break down how these cameras stack up across various photographic disciplines and technical criteria to help you decide which fits your shooting style and budget better.

Form, Feel & Handling: Big Personality vs Compact Convenience

One of the first things you notice is the physical disparity. The Leica V-Lux 2 opts for a bridge camera form, reminiscent of an SLR with its robust, rectangular shape measuring 124x80x95 mm and weighing 520 g. This size lends to a more substantial grip and a control layout designed for photographers who crave tactile engagement. Contrast this with the Nikon S6500's compact build, smaller at 95x58x26 mm and half the weight (250 g). It radiates portability, slipping easily into pockets and purses but sacrificing some physical control in the process.

Ergonomically, the V-Lux 2 impresses with its thoughtfully placed, illuminated buttons and a fully articulated 3” display that makes composing at awkward angles a breeze. The Nikon’s fixed AMOLED screen (also 3” with 460k-dot resolution) is vivid but less flexible. Not to mention, the V-Lux’s electronic viewfinder (albeit unspecified resolution) offers a critical advantage for outdoor shooting where screen glare can be a dealbreaker.

Our experience shows that photographers valuing a serious grip and compositional precision will gravitate towards the Leica, while casual shooters or travellers prioritizing lightness and pocketability may appreciate Nikon’s compactness.

Controls and Interface: Manual Control vs Friendly Simplicity

Looking at the top control layouts side-by-side, Leica clearly embraces a semi-professional approach. Dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture priority, and custom white balance indicate an interface shaped for photographers who want granular control over exposure settings. The Leica offers exposure compensation, aperture priority, shutter priority, and even manual exposure modes.

The Nikon's control scheme is simpler but still versatile with manual focus possible, shutter and aperture priority modes, and exposure compensation. However, it lacks dedicated dials, favoring menus and multi-purpose buttons instead. For users wishing to learn or experiment with manual settings, the Leica’s layout feels more immediate and rewarding under the fingers. For novice shooters or those who prefer intuitive preset modes, Nikon’s straightforward approach reduces complexity - a clear plus.

Neither camera offers touchscreen functionality, a mild surprise in 2013 with Nikon and 2010 with Leica, but both provide live view for framing.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Limits and Strengths of 1/2.3" Sensors

Both cameras feature small sensors classified as 1/2.3" format, measuring roughly 6x4 mm, with the Leica’s sensor at 6.08x4.56 mm and Nikon’s at 6.17x4.55 mm. The Leica integrates a 14 MP CMOS sensor, while the Nikon ups resolution slightly to 16 MP using a BSI-CMOS design, potentially providing better low-light sensitivity.

Despite these modest sizes, such sensors primarily serve to keep the superzoom form factor manageable by limiting physical sensor and lens size, but come with inherent trade-offs - most notably in noise performance, dynamic range, and depth-of-field control compared to larger APS-C or full-frame systems.

The Leica’s sensor resolution maxes out at 4320x3240 pixels, while the Nikon offers up to 4608x3456 pixels. In practical terms, the Nikon’s slightly higher resolution renders a bit more cropping flexibility and detailed 4x6 prints, yet this gain is offset somewhat by the Leica’s slightly faster aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 vs. Nikon’s f/2.8 but slower at telephoto f/5.2 vs. f/5.9).

From detailed test images, the Leica’s sensor exhibits marginally better color fidelity and retains highlight detail slightly more gracefully, likely aided by Leica’s image processing pipeline emphasizing neutrality and subtle tonality. Nikon’s sensor, benefitting from BSI technology, performs admirably in good light and handles noise well up to ISO 800 but begins to show grain more conspicuously when pushed further.

Viewing and Composition Tools: Flexible vs Fixed Screens and Viewfinders

The Leica V-Lux 2 shines with its fully articulated 3-inch screen boasting 460k dots - a useful feature for macro shots, low angles, or creative high viewpoints. The ability to flip the screen around opens possibilities for self-portraits or vlogging-style video snapping, though this is somewhat hampered by the lack of touchscreen control.

The Nikon S6500, meanwhile, has a fixed 3-inch AMOLED screen (also 460k dots), which is vibrant and offers good black levels - excellent for reviewing shots in dark conditions but limited in angle flexibility. The S6500 notably omits an electronic viewfinder, requiring reliance on the LCD, which can be challenging in bright sunlight.

As an experienced outdoors shooter, I find the V-Lux 2’s EVF indispensable for hiking and landscape work where screen visibility is limited. The EVF also aids in reducing shake during telephoto shots by stabilizing the camera against the face, a solid ergonomic advantage.

Leica V Lux 2 front Leica V Lux 2 screen back Nikon S6500 front Nikon S6500 screen back

Real-World Image Quality Comparison: Landscape, Portrait, and Macro

Examining sample galleries reveals distinctive strengths:

• Portraits: The Leica’s f/2.8 aperture at 25mm equivalent combined with manual exposure controls allows better skin tone rendering and subtle bokeh when zoomed within the mid ranges. However, both cameras’ small sensors inherently limit creamy background blur, making wide apertures less transformative than on larger sensors.

• Landscapes: The Nikon’s higher resolution offers slightly more detail in wide shots. Still, the Leica’s color reproduction and highlight handling shine, making twilight and sunrise scenes feel more natural. Neither supports weather sealing, so cautious field use is recommended.

• Macro: The Leica’s impressive 1 cm minimum focus distance unlocks much more detailed close-ups than Nikon’s 5 cm minimum. Coupled with its articulated screen and optical image stabilization, this makes the V-Lux 2 a better choice for macro shooters on a budget.

Autofocus and Shooting Speeds: Tracking Wildlife and Sports Subjects

Autofocus is a critical differentiator. The Leica V-Lux 2 relies solely on contrast detection autofocus with no face or eye detection and offers only single-shot AF - no continuous, no tracking. This simpler AF system can struggle with moving subjects but is adequate for still compositions.

The Nikon S6500 incorporates contrast detection AF with added face detection and offers AF tracking capabilities. While not blazing fast compared to DSLRs, Nikon’s AF system locks focus quicker and maintains it more effectively on human subjects and slow wildlife.

Shooting speed is similar, with the Leica pacing 11 frames per second and Nikon 10 fps in burst mode, but the Nikon’s autofocus tracking during bursts provides a practical edge for casual sports and wildlife photography.

Our testing reveals that neither camera is a sports specialist; the small sensor and AF systems limit them mostly to static or slow-moving subjects.

Build Quality and Durability: Robust Design vs Lightweight Convenience

The Leica’s SLR-style body conveys a more rugged feel but lacks formal weather sealing. It is neither shockproof nor dustproof, so users should keep expectations modest for harsh conditions.

The Nikon’s slim profile is less robust but comfortable in everyday carry. Neither camera supports environmental sealing, so neither is advisable for wet or dusty environments.

In terms of durability, handle the Leica a bit more like serious gear - expect longer fatigue resistance due to grip design and sturdy controls.

Battery Life and Storage: What to Expect Out in the Field

Neither manufacturer lists official battery life ratings, which is common for compact and bridge superzooms of this era. Practical experience suggests the Leica V-Lux 2, having a larger body, accommodates a bigger capacity battery, offering more shots per charge. The Nikon S6500’s smaller battery necessitates more frequent recharging but benefits from less power-hungry hardware.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, although Leica supports internal storage as well - a nice convenience for emergency situations but not a substitute for ample memory cards.

Photographers planning extended outings should carry spare batteries for either model.

Lens and Zoom Capabilities: Extreme Reach vs Balanced Versatility

Arguably, the most defining difference is Leica’s 25-600mm (24x) superzoom against Nikon’s 25-300mm (12x) range.

The Leica’s super zoom is remarkable, encompassing wide-angle through extreme telephoto. Its optical image stabilization is critical to make handheld shots sharp at the long end. The faster apertures at the wide and mid ranges (f/2.8 to 5.2) provide some depth and light advantages.

Nikon’s 25-300mm zoom still covers a broad range, enough for everyday photography, travel, and casual wildlife shooting but lacks reach for distant subjects like birds or sports stadiums.

If ultimate zoom range matters, Leica wins hands down, assuming you can handle the bigger, heavier package.

Genre-by-Genre Suitability: Who Each Camera Best Serves

• Portrait Photography: Leica edges out with better aperture options and manual controls for nuanced skin tones. Nikon surprises with face detection AF but is limited by sensor size on background separation.

• Landscape Photography: Leica’s image quality and articulating screen favor landscape photographers who value detail and compositional flexibility. Nikon is a passable alternative for casual shooters.

• Wildlife and Sports: Neither camera excels; Nikon’s AF and burst tracking provide slight advantage for casual sports or slow wildlife, but Leica’s superior zoom range wins for distant subjects if AF can keep up.

• Street Photography: Nikon’s compact size makes it more pocketable and less conspicuous, aiding candid shooting. Leica’s size may intimidate street subjects but offers manual focus control.

• Macro Photography: Leica’s 1 cm macro focus beats Nikon’s 5 cm minimum distance, making it better for detailed close-ups.

• Night / Astro Photography: Both small sensors struggle at high ISO; however, Leica’s slightly better processing and image rendering edge it ahead. Neither camera provides advanced exposure modes suited for astrophotography.

• Video Capabilities: Nikon supports HD 1080p video, while Leica maxes out at 720p. Both lack microphone ports but deliver stabilization for handheld shooting. Nikon’s video is superior for casual shooters wanting better resolution and formats.

• Travel Photography: Nikon’s lightness and built-in GPS make it travel-friendly. Leica’s versatility and range appeal to travelers wanting a single camera that can do it all, albeit at weight cost.

• Professional Work: Neither camera targets professionals requiring RAW workflow integration (Leica is RAW capable, Nikon not), extensive weather sealing, or advanced file formats but can serve as secondary or documentary cameras.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Current or Plugging the Gaps

By 2013 standards, Nikon’s S6500 includes built-in GPS and wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi), a forward-thinking option for geotagging and one-touch photo sharing. The Leica V-Lux 2 completely lacks wireless options and GPS, relying on USB 2.0 and HDMI for transfers. No Bluetooth, NFC, or newer interfaces are found in either.

For users wanting to share images quickly on social media, Nikon provides greater convenience out of the box. Leica’s more traditional approach will suit those focused mainly on image quality and manual photography.

Price-to-Performance: Value Considerations

At launch, the Leica V-Lux 2 was priced around $1000, reflecting its SLR-style design, broad zoom, and manual controls. The Nikon S6500, costing approximately $170, targets budget-conscious shoppers or casual users seeking a reliable pocket superzoom.

Given the price gap, Nikon delivers excellent bang for the buck in image quality, zoom versatility, video capabilities, and travel features. However, the Leica justifies its premium by offering a broader focal length, better ergonomics, RAW support, and more manual exposure options.

Your choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize versatility and build or affordability and portability.

Final Thoughts: Making the Choice Between These Two

After spending significant time evaluating these rivals, here’s how I would summarize:

• Choose the Leica V-Lux 2 if:

  • You want extensive zoom range (25-600mm) covering everything from wide to super-telephoto.
  • Manual control and exposure flexibility matter.
  • You appreciate a robust, SLR-style body with an EVF and articulated screen.
  • You shoot macro often and require closer focus capability.
  • RAW image shooting is essential.
  • You can carry the extra weight and expense.

• Choose the Nikon Coolpix S6500 if:

  • You prefer an ultra-compact, lightweight camera easy to carry everyday.
  • You want Full HD video recording.
  • Face detection and AF tracking for people photography is important.
  • Wireless features like GPS and built-in Wi-Fi enhance your workflow.
  • You have a tighter budget but still desire solid image quality and superzoom versatility.
  • Portability outweighs manual control preferences.

In closing, both cameras reflect the engineering constraints and user needs of their release periods but diverge sharply in philosophy. The Leica V-Lux 2 is a serious enthusiast tool suffused with manual artistry and expansive reach; the Nikon S6500 is a nimble, user-friendly travel companion packing efficient technology at an affordable price.

Whether you prioritize command and zoom range or compact sized convenience and connectivity, this comparison equips you with nuanced insights to inform your next superzoom camera purchase.

For those wanting to dive even deeper, I recommend consulting detailed sample galleries, handling each camera in-store, and considering lens options within their fixed power range to ensure the best fit for your photographic ambitions. Happy shooting!

This article is based on extensive hands-on tests, controlled comparisons, and practical usage scenarios by an expert with over 15 years of camera evaluation experience.