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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
57
Overall
43
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 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
  • Superseded the Leica V-Lux 2
  • Replacement is Leica V-Lux 4
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Introduced January 2012
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below is a in depth assessment of the Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was released at a similar time to the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the V-Lux 3 grades against the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Pentax VS20

 V-Lux 3 VS20 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 VS20 V-Lux 3 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax VS20

 V-Lux 3 VS20 
IntroducedDecember 2011January 2012Similar generation
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 3 comes with physical dimensions of 124mm x 81mm x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check the Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the V-Lux 3 against the VS20.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 3 and VS20 is 67 and 90 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements only by going over specifications. The photograph underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 3 and VS20.

To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax VS20 to offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Portrait photography details
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
41
you can focus manually
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Street photography advice
Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
58
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Sports photography factors
Pentax VS20 Sports photography factors
42
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good battery power (410 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Travel photography information
Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
56
good battery power (410 per charge)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
resolution not great (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
47
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
good battery power (410 CIPA)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
47
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging information
Pentax VS20 Vlogging information
62
decently wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax VS20
 Leica V-Lux 3Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Pentax
Model type Leica V-Lux 3 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-12-08 2012-01-25
Physical type 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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 540 grams (1.19 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-DC 9 D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $949 $106