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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 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
  • Announced December 2011
  • Previous Model is Leica V-Lux 2
  • Later Model is Leica V-Lux 4
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Let's look closer at the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Leica and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and X-5 (16MP) but they come with the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was announced 8 months prior to the X-5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the V-Lux 3 scores against the X-5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Pentax X-5

 V-Lux 3 X-5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 X-5 V-Lux 3 
ReleasedAugust 2012December 2011Newer by 8 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax X-5

 V-Lux 3 X-5 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 3 has external 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 X-5 has proportions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Look at the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Pentax X-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the V-Lux 3 versus the X-5.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 3 and X-5 is 67 and 65 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The image below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 3 and X-5.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax X-5 to show more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 3 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Portrait photography camera
41
focusing manually
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
43
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Street photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Street photography highlights
58
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than average (540g)
50
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than average in class (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Sports photography information
Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
43
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery power (410 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
56
better than average battery power (410 CIPA)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (540g)
low MP (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
53
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (22mm)
long zoom (580mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (595g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
48
focusing manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (410 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
47
focusing manually
really wide (22mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax X-5 Vlogging highlights
62
rather wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone support
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average (540 grams)
26
really wide (22mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic socket
heavier than average in class (595 grams)
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax X-5
 Leica V-Lux 3Pentax X-5
General Information
Brand Leica Pentax
Model Leica V-Lux 3 Pentax X-5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-12-08 2012-08-22
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 aliasing 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
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 grams (1.19 pounds) 595 grams (1.31 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC 9 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $949 $230