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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Leica V-Lux 4 front
Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 20
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced April 2010
Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Superseded the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Newer Model is Leica V-Lux 5
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras and they are both sold by Leica. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the V-Lux 4 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was released 3 years before the V-Lux 4 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Leica V-Lux 20 being a Compact camera and the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the V-Lux 20 matches up against the V-Lux 4 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 V-Lux 20 V-Lux 4 
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 V-Lux 4 V-Lux 20 
RevealedSeptember 2012April 2010More recent by 29 months
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Leica V-Lux 4

 V-Lux 20 V-Lux 4 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 20 provides outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Leica V-Lux 4 has dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the V-Lux 20 versus the V-Lux 4.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 20 and V-Lux 4 is 91 and 65 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing specs. The graphic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 20 and V-Lux 4.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you can expect similar quality of photos though you should always factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The older V-Lux 20 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Portrait photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
45
focusing manually
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 20
Street photography with Leica V-Lux 4
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
57
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (588 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Sports photography camera
Leica V-Lux 4 as a Sports photography camera
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
46
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
great battery life (540 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography details
Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography details
63
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
55
great battery life (540 per charge)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (588g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography advice
Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography advice
38
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
48
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (540 per charge)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging details
Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging details
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone socket
63
rather wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone support
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition in class (588g)
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Leica V-Lux 4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Leica V-Lux 4
 Leica V-Lux 20Leica V-Lux 4
General Information
Make Leica Leica
Model Leica V-Lux 20 Leica V-Lux 4
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2010-04-20 2012-09-17
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.8
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,312k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 13.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218 grams (0.48 lbs) 588 grams (1.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 540 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $779 $899