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Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
52
Overall
42
Leica V-Lux 2 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 520g - 124 x 80 x 95mm
  • Released September 2010
  • Newer Model is Leica V-Lux 3
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Leica V-Lux 2 versus Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 2 (14MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 2 was introduced 15 months before the SZ-12 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 2 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the V-Lux 2 grades versus the SZ-12 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 2 over the Olympus SZ-12

 V-Lux 2 SZ-12 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Leica V-Lux 2

 SZ-12 V-Lux 2 
IntroducedJanuary 2012September 2010More modern by 15 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 2 and Olympus SZ-12

 V-Lux 2 SZ-12 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 2 provides exterior measurements of 124mm x 80mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 520 grams (1.15 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-12 has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") having a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica V-Lux 2 versus Olympus SZ-12 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the V-Lux 2 and the SZ-12.

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 2 and SZ-12 is 67 and 89 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 2 and SZ-12.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photos but you might want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged V-Lux 2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 2
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-12
51
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
supports RAW files
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
33
good resolution (14MP)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 2
Street photography with Olympus SZ-12
58
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (520g)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (226 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 2 Sports photography features
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography features
48
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
40
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 2 Travel photography advice
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography advice
59
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (520 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than average (226g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (220 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 2 as a Landscape photography camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
51
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
supports RAW files
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
40
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 2 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
51
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (520g)
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
lighter than average (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 2 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 2 and Olympus SZ-12
 Leica V-Lux 2Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Company Leica Olympus
Model type Leica V-Lux 2 Olympus SZ-12
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-09-21 2012-01-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 520g (1.15 lb) 226g (0.50 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 80 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.1" x 3.7") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 220 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $1,000 $350