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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Leica V-Lux 30 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 81 x 95mm
  • Released December 2011
  • Earlier Model is Leica V-Lux 2
  • Successor is Leica V-Lux 4
Leica V-Lux 30
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 43mm
  • Introduced May 2011
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Leica V-Lux 30, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and they are both designed by Leica. The image resolution of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and the V-Lux 30 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The V-Lux 3 was revealed 7 months after the V-Lux 30 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Leica V-Lux 30 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the V-Lux 3 grades vs the V-Lux 30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Leica V-Lux 30

 V-Lux 3 V-Lux 30 
IntroducedDecember 2011May 2011Newer by 7 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 30 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 V-Lux 30 V-Lux 3 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Leica V-Lux 30

 V-Lux 3 V-Lux 30 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 3 features outside dimensions of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") having a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Leica V-Lux 30 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.7") having a weight of 219 grams (0.48 lbs).

Compare the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Leica V-Lux 30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the V-Lux 3 vs the V-Lux 30.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 3 and V-Lux 30 is 67 and 90 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through a spec sheet. The picture here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 3 and V-Lux 30.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Leica V-Lux 30 to produce more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The younger V-Lux 3 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Portrait photography features
Leica V-Lux 30 Portrait photography features
41
manual focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
30
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Street photography highlights
Leica V-Lux 30 Street photography highlights
58
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540 grams)
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus via touch
lighter than others (219 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Sports photography highlights
Leica V-Lux 30 Sports photography highlights
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good battery pack (410 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Travel photography info
Leica V-Lux 30 Travel photography info
56
good battery pack (410 shots)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
quite wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (540 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than others (219g)
includes focus via touch
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (260 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Landscape photography advice
Leica V-Lux 30 Landscape photography advice
48
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (410 CIPA)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery power (260 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging details
Leica V-Lux 30 Vlogging details
62
quite wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (540g)
34
decently wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (219g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Leica V-Lux 30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Leica V-Lux 30
 Leica V-Lux 3Leica V-Lux 30
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Leica
Model type Leica V-Lux 3 Leica V-Lux 30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-12-08 2011-05-26
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
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 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 grams (1.19 lbs) 219 grams (0.48 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 105 x 58 x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 410 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC 9 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $949 $900