Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55
91 Imaging
35 Features
33 Overall
34


92 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55 Key Specs
(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
- Launched April 2010
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
- Launched June 2010

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55 Overview
Below is a detailed comparison of the Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony H55, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the H55 (14MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The V-Lux 20 was unveiled very close to the H55 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the V-Lux 20 scores against the H55 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55. The full galleries are provided at Leica V-Lux 20 Gallery and Sony H55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Sony H55
V-Lux 20 | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Leica V-Lux 20
H55 | V-Lux 20 |
---|
Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony H55
V-Lux 20 | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | April 2010 | ![]() | June 2010 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither provides Touch screen |
Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 20 provides external 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) whilst the Sony H55 has measurements of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
See the Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony H55 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the V-Lux 20 versus the H55.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 20 and H55 is 91 and 92 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements only by going over technical specs. The visual here will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 20 and H55.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony H55 to deliver greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony H55 Specifications
Leica V-Lux 20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Leica | Sony |
Model | Leica V-Lux 20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2010-04-20 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 461k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.30 m | 3.80 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 218 gr (0.48 pounds) | 200 gr (0.44 pounds) |
Dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 model | - | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $779 | $235 |