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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
57
Overall
43
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 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
  • Launched December 2011
  • Earlier Model is Leica V-Lux 2
  • Newer Model is Leica V-Lux 4
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Launched September 2011
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Leica and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and RZ18 (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was revealed 3 months after the RZ18 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax RZ18 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the V-Lux 3 matches up against the RZ18 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Pentax RZ18

 V-Lux 3 RZ18 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 RZ18 V-Lux 3 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax RZ18

 V-Lux 3 RZ18 
LaunchedDecember 2011September 2011Similar age
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 3 features outside measurements of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") along with a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ18 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Pentax RZ18 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the V-Lux 3 versus the RZ18.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 3 and RZ18 is 67 and 92 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The pic here will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 3 and RZ18.

Plainly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax RZ18 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Portrait photography with Pentax RZ18
41
you can focus manually
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Street photography camera
58
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540 grams)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
lighter than others in class (178 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Sports photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography advice
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery power (410 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Travel photography info
Pentax RZ18 Travel photography info
56
better than average battery power (410 CIPA)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (540g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
lighter than others in class (178g)
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Landscape photography with Pentax RZ18
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (410 CIPA)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
49
manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging highlights
62
pretty wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (540 grams)
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (178 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax RZ18
 Leica V-Lux 3Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Pentax
Model type Leica V-Lux 3 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-12-08 2011-09-12
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 540g (1.19 pounds) 178g (0.39 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-DC 9 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $949 $210