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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
91
Imaging
34
Features
33
Overall
33
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Released April 2010
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

The following is a detailed comparison of the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Panasonic S2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Leica and Panasonic. The resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was introduced 20 months prior to the S2 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the V-Lux 20 matches up against the S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Panasonic S2

 V-Lux 20 S2 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 S2 V-Lux 20 
ReleasedJanuary 2012April 2010Newer by 20 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic S2

 V-Lux 20 S2 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 20 enjoys outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Panasonic S2 has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Panasonic S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the V-Lux 20 vs the S2.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 20 and S2 is 91 and 96 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions just by viewing specs. The pic below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 20 and S2.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic S2 to render more detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 20 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Portrait photography features
Panasonic S2 Portrait photography features
20
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography advice
Panasonic S2 Street photography advice
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (112 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Sports photography features
Panasonic S2 Sports photography features
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good battery pack (280 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S2 Travel photography factors
63
lighter than average (218g)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
70
good battery pack (280 shots)
lighter than competitors in class (112g)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
41
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good battery pack (280 CIPA)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic S2 Vlogging highlights
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
32
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (112 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone socket
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic S2
 Leica V-Lux 20Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-04-20 2012-01-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218g (0.48 lb) 112g (0.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 - 280 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $779 $109