Clicky

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
58
Overall
48

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 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 ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS35
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic ZS40, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Leica and Panasonic. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and ZS40 (18MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The V-Lux 20 was announced 4 years prior to the ZS40 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summary of how the V-Lux 20 matches up versus the ZS40 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

				

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Panasonic ZS40

 V-Lux 20 ZS40 

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 ZS40 V-Lux 20 
LaunchedJanuary 2014April 2010Newer by 45 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution920k461kSharper screen (+459k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic ZS40

 V-Lux 20 ZS40 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 20 features external dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS40 has specifications of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Examine the Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic ZS40 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the V-Lux 20 and the ZS40.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 20 and ZS40 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 20 and ZS40.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should count on the Panasonic ZS40 to offer you more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 20 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
51
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18MP)
has face detection focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS40 Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (240g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography info
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography highlights
63
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
69
lighter than competition (240 grams)
decent megapixels (18MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography info
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
55
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
exports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse function
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging highlights
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
34
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (240g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Panasonic ZS40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Panasonic ZS40
 Leica V-Lux 20Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model Leica V-Lux 20 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ60
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-04-20 2014-01-06
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 200k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 6.40 m
Flash modes 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
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218g (0.48 lbs) 240g (0.53 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 300 pictures
Battery style - 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
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $779 $450