Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18
67 Imaging
35 Features
57 Overall
43


92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Leica V-Lux 3 & Pentax Optio RZ18. The full galleries are provided at Leica V-Lux 3 Gallery & Pentax RZ18 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Pentax RZ18
V-Lux 3 | RZ18 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2011 | ![]() | September 2011 | Similar age |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications
Leica V-Lux 3 | Pentax 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 |