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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Revealed April 2010
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched February 2010
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Leica and Pentax. The image resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very comparable and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was released 2 months later than the W90 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summation of how the V-Lux 20 scores against the W90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Pentax W90

 V-Lux 20 W90 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kCrisper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 W90 V-Lux 20 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Pentax W90

 V-Lux 20 W90 
LaunchedApril 2010February 2010Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 20 enjoys external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Pentax W90 has specifications of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Contrast the Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the V-Lux 20 compared to the W90.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 20 and W90 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The graphic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 20 and W90.

All in all, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you can expect comparable quality of photographs though you really should consider the age of the cameras into account.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 20
Street photography with Pentax W90
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Sports photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
24
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than average in class (218 grams)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
environment proof
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
38
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
37
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging highlights
Pentax W90 Vlogging highlights
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (218g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Pentax W90
 Leica V-Lux 20Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Make Leica Pentax
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Pentax Optio W90
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2010-04-20 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 pounds) 164 gr (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $779 $120