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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
57
Overall
43
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 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
  • Launched December 2011
  • Succeeded the Leica V-Lux 2
  • Replacement is Leica V-Lux 4
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS60
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and the ZS50 (12MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the ZS50 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the V-Lux 3 scores versus the ZS50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Panasonic ZS50

 V-Lux 3 ZS50 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 ZS50 V-Lux 3 
ReleasedJanuary 2015December 2011More modern by 37 months
Screen resolution1040k461kClearer screen (+579k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Panasonic ZS50

 V-Lux 3 ZS50 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 3 provides 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 ZS50 has sizing of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Examine the Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the V-Lux 3 vs the ZS50.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 3 and ZS50 is 67 and 90 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specifications. The image underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 3 and ZS50.

Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you can expect comparable quality of images although you would want to take the age of the cameras into account. The more aged V-Lux 3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
41
focusing manually
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
42
you can focus manually
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS50
58
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than others (540 grams)
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (243g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Sports photography info
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography info
42
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (410 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
43
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography highlights
56
good battery life (410 shots)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (540 grams)
low MP (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
66
lighter than competition (243 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography factors
47
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (410 shots)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
51
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Vlogging camera
62
decently wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than others (540 grams)
34
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (243g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no external mic jack
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Panasonic ZS50
 Leica V-Lux 3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Company Leica Panasonic
Model Leica V-Lux 3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Alternate name - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-12-08 2015-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,166 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE 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 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 lbs) 243 grams (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 44
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.2
DXO Low light score not tested 138
Other
Battery life 410 images 300 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC 9 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $949 $350