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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5 front
Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
25
Overall
32

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 20
(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
  • Introduced April 2010
Panasonic LS5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 126g - 97 x 62 x 27mm
  • Released July 2011
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LS5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the LS5 (14MP) is pretty similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was launched 15 months before the LS5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the V-Lux 20 grades versus the LS5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Panasonic LS5

 V-Lux 20 LS5 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LS5 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 LS5 V-Lux 20 
ReleasedJuly 2011April 2010Fresher by 15 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LS5

 V-Lux 20 LS5 
Manually focus No manual focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 20 enjoys outside measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Panasonic LS5 has dimensions of 97mm x 62mm x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LS5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the V-Lux 20 compared to the LS5.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 20 and LS5 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 20 and LS5.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Panasonic LS5 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older V-Lux 20 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Portrait photography camera
21
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography advice
Panasonic LS5 Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
62
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic LS5 Sports photography highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
32
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (160 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography information
Panasonic LS5 Travel photography information
63
lighter than competition in class (218 grams)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
low battery life (160 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic LS5 Landscape photography factors
38
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
no Timelapse mode
36
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery life (160 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LS5 as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (218g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone jack
32
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (126g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LS5
 Leica V-Lux 20Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
General Information
Brand Name Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2010-04-20 2011-07-21
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 26-130mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.8-6.5
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
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), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 grams (0.48 lb) 126 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 97 x 62 x 27mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.1")
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 - 160 photographs
Battery format - AA
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $779 $294