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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Nikon Coolpix B500 front
Portability
68
Imaging
41
Features
50
Overall
44

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 81 x 95mm
  • Introduced December 2011
  • Previous Model is Leica V-Lux 2
  • Newer Model is Leica V-Lux 4
Nikon B500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-900mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 541g - 114 x 78 x 95mm
  • Announced February 2016
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon B500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and B500 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was revealed 5 years earlier than the B500 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the V-Lux 3 matches up against the B500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Nikon B500

 V-Lux 3 B500 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon B500 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 B500 V-Lux 3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016December 2011Newer by 51 months
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon B500

 V-Lux 3 B500 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 3 offers outer dimensions of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) and the Nikon B500 has sizing of 114mm x 78mm x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 541 grams (1.19 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon B500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the V-Lux 3 vs the B500.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 3 and B500 is 67 and 68 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by checking specs. The image underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 3 and B500.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can count on the Nikon B500 to give you more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon B500 Portrait photography highlights
41
focusing manually
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
37
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Street photography with Nikon B500
58
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
52
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competition (541 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Sports photography with Nikon B500
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good battery pack (410 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
51
excellent zoom range (23-900mm 39.1 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (600 shots)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Travel photography information
Nikon B500 Travel photography information
56
good battery pack (410 per charge)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (540g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
59
better than average battery power (600 CIPA)
connects via bluetooth
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (23mm)
very long zoom (900mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (541 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Landscape photography info
Nikon B500 Landscape photography info
48
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (410 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
45
pretty wide (23mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
better than average battery power (600 shots)
lack of manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging details
Nikon B500 Vlogging details
62
relatively wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone port
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition in class (540 grams)
27
pretty wide (23mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (541 grams)
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon B500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon B500
 Leica V-Lux 3Nikon Coolpix B500
General Information
Brand Leica Nikon
Model Leica V-Lux 3 Nikon Coolpix B500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-12-08 2016-02-23
Body design SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 23-900mm (39.1x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.0-6.5
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 7.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 6.90 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 grams (1.19 lb) 541 grams (1.19 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 114 x 78 x 95mm (4.5" x 3.1" x 3.7")
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
Battery life 410 shots 600 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model BP-DC 9 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $949 $300