Leica V-Lux 30 vs Olympus Stylus Tough 6010: A Hands-On Comparison for the Photography Enthusiast

Choosing the right compact camera can be surprisingly complex. Between niche specialties, sensor specs, and real-world handling nuances, it’s never just about the megapixels. Recently I spent meaningful time testing two small sensor compacts from the early 2010s era - the Leica V-Lux 30, a small-sensor superzoom with a luxe pedigree, and the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010, a rugged waterproof companion for active shooters. Both appeal to compact camera buyers but differ significantly in design philosophy, feature sets, and photographic capability.

Drawing on extensive lab tests, field use, and comparisons with class benchmarks, this article walks you through their respective strengths and weaknesses. If you’re hunting for a durable travel camera, a versatile zoom compact, or just curious how these two stacks up nearly a decade after launch, read on.

First Impressions: Handling and Ergonomics

Before delving into technical specs, the physical feel of a camera often shapes user experience more than raw numbers. The Leica V-Lux 30 measures 105 × 58 × 43 mm and weighs 219 g, while the Olympus 6010 is noticeably more compact at 95 × 63 × 22 mm and 179 g. Though the Leica is heavier and chunkier, it feels reassuringly solid in the hand, partly thanks to its deeper grip and squared-off design. The Olympus, conversely, embraces a slim, slightly curved compactness that belies its rugged build.

The Leica’s control layout is more traditional with dials for aperture, shutter speed, and a mode dial readily accessible. This makes manual shooting intuitive and swift once you get the hang of it. Olympus took a minimalist approach, eliminating all manual exposure controls and leaning heavily on point-and-shoot simplicity. The Tough 6010’s buttons sit flush or recessed, understandably to prevent accidental presses underwater or in harsh conditions.

From my hands-on perspective, if you prize tactile camera control and the joy of exposure dialing, the Leica wins hands down. However, for on-the-go users who want a camera ready to shoot robustly in wet or dusty environments with minimal fiddling, the Olympus is reassuringly no-nonsense.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixels Meet Physics

Both cameras pack sensors typical for their era: 1/2.3” type CMOS for Leica and CCD for Olympus, with sensor areas close enough at 27.7 mm² (Leica) and 28.1 mm² (Olympus). The Leica’s effectively 14 MP sensor edges out the Olympus’ 12 MP CCD by resolution alone, but sensor architecture and processing matter more than raw count.

I subjected both cameras to controlled lighting and ISO ladder tests. The Leica’s CMOS sensor and Venus Engine FHD processor deliver cleaner images, especially above ISO 400. Noise remains better managed, and dynamic range is measurably superior, retaining detail in shadows and highlights without aggressive clipping. Conversely, the Olympus’ CCD sensor leans into a more contrasty output but struggles with noise and shadow detail beginning at ISO 200. Color fidelity also favors Leica’s more modern sensor design, rendering skin tones and landscapes more naturally.

At base ISO (80 for Leica, 64 for Olympus), both cameras produce crisp images with decent detail - considering their small sensors - but the Leica’s anti-aliasing filter is more effectively balanced, avoiding the slight softness evident in Olympus JPEGs.

In practical terms, if you shoot in well-lit environments like daylight landscapes or street scenes, both can do the job adequately. But if you frequently encounter lower light or desire more color depth for portraits, the Leica’s sensor offers a distinct advantage.

LCD Screen and User Interface

Display size and clarity affect framing, focusing, and menu navigation - aspects crucial during long photo outings.

Leica’s V-Lux 30 sports a 3-inch fixed-type touchscreen with 460k dots resolution. The touchscreen responsiveness impresses for its vintage era, speeding up menu adjustments and zoom manipulation. Conversely, Olympus sticks to a 2.7-inch non-touch 230k dot LCD. This screen won’t wow anyone by today’s standards but remains functional, albeit harder to compose precisely in bright daylight.

From user interface perspective: Leica’s touchscreen and editable settings feel surprisingly modern and forgiving, while Olympus’ more basic interface is a tradeoff for ruggedness and simplicity - no touchscreen means less risk of damage but more button mashing.

Lens Characteristics: Zoom Reach Meets Speed

Optics often define a compact camera’s personality. Leica equips the V-Lux 30 with a versatile 24–384 mm (35mm equivalent) zoom - an impressive 16x reach. Maximum aperture is F3.3–5.9, not exceptionally fast but expected given the zoom length. The Olympus’s 28–102 mm zoom is significantly shorter (3.6x) but slightly faster at F3.5–5.1.

The superzoom range on the Leica offers extraordinary framing flexibility - sweeping wide-angle landscapes or picking out distant wildlife without swapping lenses. I found the lens sharpness good across the zoom range albeit with subtle softness at extreme telephoto and corners wide open. Olympus’s more limited zoom delivers punchier optics at standard focal lengths but struggles to capture faraway details or create compressed perspectives.

Both cameras support macro focusing: 3 cm minimum for Leica vs 2 cm for Olympus. Olympus’s closer focusing distance gives an edge for macro enthusiasts though neither system allows interchangeable lenses or advanced macro attachments.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

The Leica V-Lux 30 employs an 11-point contrast-detection autofocus system capable of continuous continuous AF and tracking, responding well under typical daylight conditions. Olympus’s slower single-point contrast detection AF system lacks continuous AF and tracking, resulting in some hunting and missed focus in dynamic scenes.

Continuous shooting rates favor Leica (up to 10 fps) versus no continuous burst on Olympus - a key difference when capturing sports or wildlife action. Shutter speeds range wider on Leica (60 – 1/4000 sec) allowing greater creative control in bright conditions; Olympus tops at 1/2000 sec, more limiting for fast action or bright landscapes.

Weatherproofing and Durability: Built for Adventure

This category is where Olympus firmly stakes its claim. The Stylus Tough 6010 is waterproof (to around 10m), shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof - features aimed squarely at adventure, travel, and extreme conditions. The Leica V-Lux 30 lacks such environmental sealing, restricting it mainly to controlled conditions.

In my field tests, the Tough 6010 withstood rain, beach sand, and drops better than the more delicate Leica - an expected tradeoff for durability versus optical versatility.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures in Focus

Leica V-Lux 30 shoots Full HD 1080p video at 60 fps using MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats with an HDMI output for external monitoring. While not cutting edge by today’s standards, it offered decent quality video with respectable autofocus during recording. No dedicated microphone or headphone ports limit audio control.

Olympus maxes out at VGA 640x480 resolution, which is quite dated for video purposes. Its Motion JPEG format delivers lower quality clips, suitable only for casual documentation.

Videographers or hybrid shooters should lean decisively towards Leica if video is a consideration.

Battery Life and Storage Options

Leica’s battery life measures around 260 shots per charge with a proprietary battery pack, respectable but middling. Olympus’s battery life detail is unlisted, but industry estimates for similar models suggest comparable endurance.

Leica uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, offering compatibility with the most common and high-capacity cards. Olympus uses xD Picture Cards and microSD cards, the former now an obsolete format that may frustrate owners looking to purchase fresh cards long-term.

Connectivity, Extras, and Usability Features

Neither camera sports wireless connectivity such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - unsurprising for their release era. Leica does have a built-in GPS module for geotagging photos, which can be hugely helpful for travel photographers cataloging locations.

Features like exposure compensation, manual exposure modes, aperture/shutter priority, and custom white balance on Leica give creative photographers critical control. Olympus offers none of these, aligning instead with point-and-shoot simplicity.

Image Gallery: Sample Photos from Both Cameras

Reviewing image samples side-by-side really highlights their differences in output quality and color science.

Leica V Lux 30 front Leica V Lux 30 screen back Olympus 6010 screen back

Leica images show more vibrant color, better control of highlights and shadows in high contrast scenes, and sharper details overall at full resolution. Olympus photos, while competent, feel slightly softer with less dynamic latitude.

Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

Here’s an at-a-glance breakdown based on my extensive testing protocols, factoring image quality, handling, features, and durability.

Genre-Specific Recommendations Across Photography Types

How do these cameras respond when pushed into specific photoshoot scenarios? Here’s a breakdown:

• Portraits: Leica’s sharper optics and better color reproduction render skin tones naturally. Olympus less suitable.
• Landscape: Leica’s wider zoom and superior dynamic range win for sweeping vistas.
• Wildlife: Leica’s fast autofocus and 16x zoom allow distant capture; Olympus’ limited zoom and AF hinder performance.
• Sports: Leica’s continuous shooting and AF tracking make it passable; Olympus lacks burst option.
• Street: Olympus’ compactness and ruggedness appeal for street shooters wanting durability without bulk; Leica larger but better image quality.
• Macro: Olympus closer focusing distance helps macro fans slightly; Leica adequate.
• Night/Astro: Neither specializes here, but Leica’s cleaner high ISO is preferable.
• Video: Leica is the clear winner with HD recording; Olympus for casual snippets only.
• Travel: Olympus excels in harsh environments; Leica versatile zoom better for varied scenes.
• Professional: Leica’s manual controls and image quality justify use as backup or casual pro tool; Olympus unsuitable.

The Verdict: Which Camera Fits Your Needs?

Without sugarcoating, the Leica V-Lux 30 and Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 serve two distinct niches despite their compact sizes.

If image quality, creative control, zoom flexibility, and decent HD video matter most, and you mostly shoot in controlled environments, the Leica V-Lux 30 is the clearly superior tool. Its improved sensor performance, manual exposure options, and extended zoom allow serious enthusiasts to push their craft. That Venus Engine processor and touchscreen interface feel surprisingly agile for a 2011 model.

Conversely, if your primary concern is durability, waterproofing, and having a simple grab-and-go camera for active lifestyles, the Olympus Stylus Tough 6010 remains relevant. It’s a tough little survivor designed to withstand drops, swimming, and sub-zero hiking, just don’t expect silky image quality or video finesse.

Final Thoughts: Timeless Compact Cameras with Different Missions

Nearly a decade after release, both cameras show strengths that still resonate - Leica with versatile superzoom flexibility and image quality better than many comps from the small sensor category, Olympus with robust resilience that draws enthusiasts to adventure photography.

Choosing between them boils down to your shooting style, priorities, and workflow needs. Neither challenges current mirrorless or smartphone cameras on specs, but each remains a testament to focused design for specific users.

Thank you for joining me in this deep dive - I hope my hands-on insights, technical breakdowns, and real-world impressions help you make a confident, informed choice for your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

• • Lead reviewer and longtime camera tester*