Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12
67 Imaging
35 Features
57 Overall
43


89 Imaging
37 Features
36 Overall
36
Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12 Key Specs
(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
- Superseded the Leica V-Lux 2
- New Model is Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
- Revealed January 2012

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Leica V-Lux 3 and Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is fairly close and they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The V-Lux 3 was announced very close to the SZ-12 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.
Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the V-Lux 3 matches up vs the SZ-12 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica V-Lux 3 & Olympus SZ-12. The whole galleries are provided at Leica V-Lux 3 Gallery & Olympus SZ-12 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Olympus SZ-12
V-Lux 3 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Leica V-Lux 3
SZ-12 | V-Lux 3 |
---|
Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Olympus SZ-12
V-Lux 3 | SZ-12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2011 | ![]() | January 2012 | Same age |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display dimensions |
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 3 features outer dimensions of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-12 has sizing of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Leica V-Lux 3 and Olympus SZ-12 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 3 and the SZ-12.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 3 and SZ-12 is 67 and 89 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through specifications. The pic below will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 3 and SZ-12.
Plainly, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to render greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications
Leica V-Lux 3 | Olympus SZ-12 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Leica | Olympus |
Model type | Leica V-Lux 3 | Olympus SZ-12 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Introduced | 2011-12-08 | 2012-01-10 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 1600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.2 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/1700 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 12.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 9.50 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 540g (1.19 lb) | 226g (0.50 lb) |
Dimensions | 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") | 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") |
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 | ||
Battery life | 410 photographs | 220 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BP-DC 9 | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $949 | $350 |