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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 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
Sony S950
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950, one is 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 S950 (10MP) is relatively similar and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was manufactured 15 months after the S950 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the V-Lux 20 matches up versus the S950 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Sony S950

 V-Lux 20 S950 
AnnouncedApril 2010February 2009More modern by 15 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 S950 V-Lux 20 
Manual focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony S950

 V-Lux 20 S950 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 20 offers external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while the Sony S950 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the V-Lux 20 compared to the S950.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 20 and S950 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading specifications. The picture underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 20 and S950.

Plainly, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should count on the Leica V-Lux 20 to offer you extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The fresher V-Lux 20 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S950 as a Portrait photography camera
21
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
26
manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography factors
Sony S950 Street photography factors
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 20
Sports photography with Sony S950
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S950 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competition (218g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
50
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 20
Landscape photography with Sony S950
38
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
31
manual focus
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging advice
Sony S950 Vlogging advice
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
9
can't record video
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony S950
 Leica V-Lux 20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model Leica V-Lux 20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2010-04-20 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 218g (0.48 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $779 $130