Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic FZ40
67 Imaging
35 Features
57 Overall
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68 Imaging
36 Features
40 Overall
37
Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic FZ40 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
- Launched December 2011
- Succeeded the Leica V-Lux 2
- Replacement is Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
- 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
- Released July 2010
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Photography Glossary Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe V-Lux 3 was introduced 17 months later than the FZ40 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short introduction of how the V-Lux 3 matches up against the FZ40 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Below is a preview of the gallery images for Leica V-Lux 3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40. The whole galleries are available at Leica V-Lux 3 Gallery & Panasonic FZ40 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Panasonic FZ40
| V-Lux 3 | FZ40 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | December 2011 | July 2010 | Fresher by 17 months | |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen resolution | 461k | 230k | Crisper screen (+231k dot) | |
| Selfie screen | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Leica V-Lux 3
| FZ40 | V-Lux 3 |
|---|
Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Panasonic FZ40
| V-Lux 3 | FZ40 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Very accurate focus | |||
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen dimensions | |
| Touch screen | Neither includes Touch screen |
Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison
If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 3 features external measurements of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") and a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has sizing of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") along with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).
Check out the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Panasonic FZ40 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the V-Lux 3 and the FZ40.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 3 and FZ40 is 67 and 68 respectively.
Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 3 and FZ40.
As you can tell, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic FZ40 to produce greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer V-Lux 3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.
Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications
| Leica V-Lux 3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Leica | Panasonic |
| Model type | Leica V-Lux 3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 |
| Otherwise known as | - | Lumix DMC-FZ45 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Launched | 2011-12-08 | 2010-07-21 |
| Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | SLR-like (bridge) |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | Venus Engine HD II |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
| Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 12MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detection focus | ||
| Contract detection focus | ||
| Phase detection focus | ||
| Total focus points | 23 | - |
| Cross type focus points | - | - |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
| Max aperture | f/2.8-5.2 | f/2.8-5.2 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 12.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 9.50 m | 9.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync |
| External flash | ||
| 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) | 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
| Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD Lite |
| Microphone 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 | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 540 gr (1.19 pounds) | 494 gr (1.09 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") | 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") |
| 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 photographs | - |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | BP-DC 9 | - |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
| Launch price | $949 | $420 |