Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20
67 Imaging
35 Features
57 Overall
43


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 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
- Superseded the Leica V-Lux 2
- Replacement is Leica V-Lux 4
(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

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").

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.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax Optio VS20. The complete galleries are available at Leica V-Lux 3 Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Pentax VS20
V-Lux 3 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2011 | ![]() | January 2012 | Similar generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Leica V-Lux 3 | Pentax 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 |