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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
67
Imaging
35
Features
57
Overall
43
Leica V-Lux 3 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
46
Overall
41

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Superseded the Leica V-Lux 2
  • Updated by Leica V-Lux 4
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Leica V-Lux 3 and Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the V-Lux 3 (12MP) and HX9V (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 3 was unveiled 5 months later than the HX9V which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 3 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a short summary of how the V-Lux 3 matches up versus the HX9V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 3 over the Sony HX9V

 V-Lux 3 HX9V 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Leica V-Lux 3

 HX9V V-Lux 3 
Screen resolution921k461kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 3 and Sony HX9V

 V-Lux 3 HX9V 
IntroducedDecember 2011July 2011Same generation
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 3 has external 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 Sony HX9V has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 3 and Sony HX9V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the V-Lux 3 against the HX9V.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 3 and HX9V is 67 and 91 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 3 and HX9V.

As you can tell, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony HX9V to result in greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Portrait photography camera
41
focusing manually
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
38
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 3
Street photography with Sony HX9V
58
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (540g)
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (245g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Sports photography info
Sony HX9V Sports photography info
42
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery power (410 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Travel photography information
Sony HX9V Travel photography information
56
better than average battery power (410 shots)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (540 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others in class (245 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX9V Landscape photography highlights
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (410 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
49
has manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 3 Vlogging details
Sony HX9V Vlogging details
62
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic jack
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (540 grams)
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 3 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 3 and Sony HX9V
 Leica V-Lux 3Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model Leica V-Lux 3 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2011-12-08 2011-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
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 mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 9.50 m 4.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540 gr (1.19 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.7") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BP-DC 9 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $949 $328