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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 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
  • Launched April 2010
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
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Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Sony S980, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 20 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very comparable and both cameras posses the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 20 was brought out 15 months later than the S980 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short overview of how the V-Lux 20 scores against the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 20 over the Sony S980

 V-Lux 20 S980 
IntroducedApril 2010February 2009More recent by 15 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Leica V-Lux 20

 S980 V-Lux 20 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony S980

 V-Lux 20 S980 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 20 enjoys exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has sizing of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 20 versus Sony S980 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the V-Lux 20 against the S980.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 20 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 20 and S980.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of images however you really should factor the production date of the cameras into account. The younger V-Lux 20 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
63
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 20
Landscape photography with Sony S980
38
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
27
has manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
30
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 20 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 20 and Sony S980
 Leica V-Lux 20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica V-Lux 20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 2s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE 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 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 grams (0.48 lbs) 167 grams (0.37 lbs)
Physical 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 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
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 One One
Cost at release $779 $300