Leica V-Lux 3 vs Olympus SZ-15

In this article, we will be comparing the Leica V-Lux 3 and Olympus SZ-15, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Leica and Olympus. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and SZ-15 (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was launched 18 months prior to the SZ-15 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-15 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the V-Lux 3 grades vs the SZ-15 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Leica V-Lux 3 & Olympus SZ-15. The complete galleries are available at Leica V-Lux 3 Gallery & Olympus SZ-15 Gallery.

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 3 provides outer 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) and the Olympus SZ-15 has specifications of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 3 and Olympus SZ-15 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the V-Lux 3 and the SZ-15.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 3 and SZ-15 is 67 and 88 respectively.

Usually, it is tough to see the difference in sensor measurements merely by researching a spec sheet. The graphic below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 3 and SZ-15.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus SZ-15 to render more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older V-Lux 3 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.