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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 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
  • Launched April 2010
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Here is a extended comparison of the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Panasonic S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the S1 (12MP) is very close and they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was launched 8 months prior to the S1 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the V-Lux 20 grades vs the S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Panasonic S1

 V-Lux 20 S1 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 S1 V-Lux 20 
IntroducedJanuary 2011April 2010Fresher by 8 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic S1

 V-Lux 20 S1 
Manual focus Lack of manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 20 comes with external 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 Panasonic S1 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Check the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 20 vs the S1.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 20 and S1 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 20 and S1.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you should always factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The older V-Lux 20 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Portrait photography features
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography features
21
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor 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 S1 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 20
Sports photography with Panasonic S1
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography info
Panasonic S1 Travel photography info
63
lighter than competition (218 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
62
lighter than others (117 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
38
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
32
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic S1 Vlogging highlights
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
31
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic S1
 Leica V-Lux 20Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-04-20 2011-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 gr (0.48 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 240 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $779 $269