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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 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
  • Introduced December 2011
  • Succeeded the Leica V-Lux 2
  • Later Model is Leica V-Lux 4
Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon S9500
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9900
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon S9700, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and S9700 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was released 3 years prior to the S9700 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon S9700 being a Compact camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the V-Lux 3 matches up against the S9700 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Nikon S9700

 V-Lux 3 S9700 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 S9700 V-Lux 3 
IntroducedFebruary 2014December 2011Fresher by 26 months
Screen resolution921k461kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon S9700

 V-Lux 3 S9700 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 3 has physical measurements of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Nikon S9700 has proportions of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

Contrast the Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon S9700 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the V-Lux 3 compared to the S9700.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 3 and S9700 is 67 and 90 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 3 and S9700.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Nikon S9700 to produce more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older V-Lux 3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Portrait photography with Nikon S9700
41
you can focus manually
exports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
37
resolution is good (16MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Street photography info
Nikon S9700 Street photography info
58
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than average (540 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (232g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Sports photography with Nikon S9700
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
great battery power (410 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
53
excellent zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon S9700 as a Travel photography camera
56
great battery power (410 per charge)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (540g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competitors in class (232g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (750mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Landscape photography with Nikon S9700
48
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
great battery power (410 per charge)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
45
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging highlights
Nikon S9700 Vlogging highlights
62
rather wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average (540 grams)
34
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (232 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Nikon S9700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Nikon S9700
 Leica V-Lux 3Nikon Coolpix S9700
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model type Leica V-Lux 3 Nikon Coolpix S9700
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-12-08 2014-02-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 99
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-750mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.7-6.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 8 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 gr (1.19 pounds) 232 gr (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
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 photos 300 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC 9 EN-EL12
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $949 $350