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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 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
  • Revealed April 2010
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Old Model is Panasonic LZ20
  • New Model is Panasonic LZ40
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LZ30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Leica and Panasonic. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and LZ30 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was announced 3 years earlier than the LZ30 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 20 being a Compact camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the V-Lux 20 grades vs the LZ30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Panasonic LZ30

 V-Lux 20 LZ30 
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 LZ30 V-Lux 20 
LaunchedJanuary 2013April 2010More modern by 33 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LZ30

 V-Lux 20 LZ30 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 20 has got exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Panasonic LZ30 has sizing of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Look at the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LZ30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 20 compared to the LZ30.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 20 and LZ30 is 91 and 66 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The pic below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 20 and LZ30.

As you have seen, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic LZ30 to provide extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 20 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Portrait photography features
Panasonic LZ30 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
32
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (218g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
43
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (552 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
long zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking focus
good battery life (380 shots)
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography info
Panasonic LZ30 Travel photography info
63
lighter than others (218 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
56
good battery life (380 per charge)
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (875mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (552 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography info
Panasonic LZ30 Landscape photography info
38
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
45
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
good battery life (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 20
Vlogging with Panasonic LZ30
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (218 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
22
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (552g)
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic LZ30
 Leica V-Lux 20Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Make Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2010-04-20 2013-01-07
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD 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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 25-875mm (35.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.0-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 4.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218g (0.48 pounds) 552g (1.22 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 - 380 photographs
Battery format - AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $779 $230