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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 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
  • Introduced December 2011
  • Replaced the Leica V-Lux 2
  • Newer Model is Leica V-Lux 4
Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Revealed July 2010
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Leica and Pentax. The resolution of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is relatively comparable and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was revealed 18 months later than the X90 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick summary of how the V-Lux 3 grades against the X90 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Pentax X90

 V-Lux 3 X90 
RevealedDecember 2011July 2010More recent by 18 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kCrisper screen (+231k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Leica V-Lux 3

 X90 V-Lux 3 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax X90

 V-Lux 3 X90 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 3 offers outside dimensions 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 X90 has specifications of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Check out the Leica V-Lux 3 versus Pentax X90 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 3 and the X90.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 3 and X90 is 67 and 69 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The photograph here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 3 and X90.

To sum up, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photographs although you might want to factor the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher V-Lux 3 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Portrait photography camera
41
you can focus manually
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
29
manual focus
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Street photography highlights
Pentax X90 Street photography highlights
58
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540g)
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Sports photography info
Pentax X90 Sports photography info
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good battery life (410 shots)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
42
amazing zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Travel photography details
Pentax X90 Travel photography details
56
good battery life (410 CIPA)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (540g)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
relatively wide (26mm)
very long zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
48
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (410 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
35
manual focus
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging information
Pentax X90 Vlogging information
62
reasonably wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic jack
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (540 grams)
23
relatively wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Pentax X90
 Leica V-Lux 3Pentax X90
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model Leica V-Lux 3 Pentax X90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-12-08 2010-07-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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) 428 grams (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
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 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BP-DC 9 D-L106
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, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $949 $350