Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1
91 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34


88 Imaging
35 Features
51 Overall
41
Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Announced April 2010
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
- Launched January 2011

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1 Overview
Here, we will be comparing the Leica V-Lux 20 and Olympus XZ-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the XZ-1 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the V-Lux 20 (1/2.3") and XZ-1 (1/1.63") offer totally different sensor measurements.

The V-Lux 20 was released 9 months prior to the XZ-1 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the V-Lux 20 grades against the XZ-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Leica V-Lux 20 and Olympus XZ-1. The complete galleries are viewable at Leica V-Lux 20 Gallery and Olympus XZ-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Olympus XZ-1
V-Lux 20 | XZ-1 |
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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Leica V-Lux 20
XZ-1 | V-Lux 20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2011 | ![]() | April 2010 | Newer by 9 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 614k | ![]() | 461k | Clearer screen (+153k dot) |
Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Olympus XZ-1
V-Lux 20 | XZ-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither has Touch screen |
Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 20 has external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-1 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).
Take a look at the Leica V-Lux 20 and Olympus XZ-1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the V-Lux 20 against the XZ-1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 20 and XZ-1 is 91 and 88 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The pic below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 20 and XZ-1.
As you have seen, both of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The V-Lux 20 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Leica V-Lux 20 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 20 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Olympus XZ-1 Specifications
Leica V-Lux 20 | Olympus XZ-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Olympus |
Model type | Leica V-Lux 20 | Olympus XZ-1 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Announced | 2010-04-20 | 2011-01-26 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | TruePic V |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.63" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 8.07 x 5.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 44.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3664 x 2752 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 4.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 461k dot | 614k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | OLED |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic (optional) |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.30 m | 8.60 m (ISO 800) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 218 gr (0.48 lb) | 275 gr (0.61 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 34 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 18.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 117 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 320 pictures |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | Li-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at release | $779 | $567 |