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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Released April 2010
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here is a extended assessment of the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Leica and Panasonic. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was revealed 4 years earlier than the SZ8 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the V-Lux 20 matches up against the SZ8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Panasonic SZ8

 V-Lux 20 SZ8 
Display resolution461k460kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 SZ8 V-Lux 20 
IntroducedJanuary 2014April 2010Fresher by 45 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic SZ8

 V-Lux 20 SZ8 
Manual focus No manual focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 20 has physical 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 SZ8 has measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Panasonic SZ8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the V-Lux 20 against the SZ8.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 20 and SZ8 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 20 and SZ8.

As you can tell, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to deliver greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images way more aggressively. The older V-Lux 20 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Portrait photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (218 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Sports photography information
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography information
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (200 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 20
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
63
lighter than others (218 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (200 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography details
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery pack (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging details
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (218 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
32
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic SZ8
 Leica V-Lux 20Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-04-20 2014-01-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
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 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
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) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 grams (0.48 lb) 159 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" 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 - 200 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $779 $275