Leica V-Lux 30 vs Sony WX300: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Compact Superzooms

In my years of field testing cameras - from flagship full-frame beasts to pocket-ready compacts - it’s clear that versatility often comes at a size and feature trade-off. Today, I’m diving deep into two compact superzoom cameras: the Leica V-Lux 30 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX300. Both target enthusiasts who want a single, pocketable device with an extensive zoom range, but they deliver that in different ways with varying strengths and compromises.

Having thoroughly evaluated their specs, hands-on ergonomics, image quality, and real-world usability, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know. Whether you’re chasing wildlife, traveling light, dabbling in landscape shots, or shooting family portraits, this comparison should clarify which camera suits your style and budget best.

Pocket-Sized Powerhouses: Ergonomics and Handling

The Leica V-Lux 30 and Sony WX300 are both designed as compact superzooms, but their physical presence tells a story about usability and grip.

At 105 x 58 x 43 mm and 219 grams, the Leica V-Lux 30 is noticeably chunkier and heavier than the WX300, which measures 96 x 55 x 25 mm and weighs only 166 grams. This size difference isn’t trivial - the Leica’s heft makes it more comfortable to hold for prolonged periods, especially when zooming and tracking fast subjects. Its thickness allows for a deeper grip and slightly larger buttons. The Sony, with its slim profile, feels more pocketable and discreet, a real boon for street photographers or travelers who prioritize light packing.

Ergonomics-wise, I prefer the Leica for dedicated shooting sessions. It includes a touchscreen interface (albeit with limited features), which Sony lacks. The WX300’s tactile buttons and control system are minimalistic, reflecting Sony’s simpler approach in this range. Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, so you’ll rely on their 3-inch fixed LCD screens:

The V-Lux 30’s thicker body accommodates more pronounced dials for exposure compensation and mode selection, which I find intuitive. The WX300’s controls are flatter but still functional. Both cameras, however, lack customizable buttons or advanced manual controls, limiting their appeal for users seeking granular exposure fine-tuning on the fly.

Sensor, Image Quality, and Photo Performance: What’s Under The Hood?

At the heart of every camera is its sensor, and these two pack fairly typical 1/2.3-inch sensors popular in compact superzoom cameras, though with some important nuance.

Leica V-Lux 30:

• 14 MP CMOS sensor
• Native ISO 80-6400
• Antialias filter present
• Sensor area 27.72 mm²
• Venus Engine FHD processor

Sony WX300:

• 18 MP BSI-CMOS sensor
• Native ISO 80-3200
• Antialias filter present
• Slightly larger sensor area at 28.07 mm²

Sony edges out the Leica slightly on resolution with 18 MP versus 14 MP, which translates to higher maximum native resolution (4896x3672 px vs. Leica’s 4320x3240 px). The WX300’s backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor design typically improves low-light sensitivity, though its maximum ISO is capped at 3200, half the Leica’s top ISO rating.

My lab tests and real-world shooting reveal that the Leica’s older Venus engine struggles a bit in noise performance at higher ISO settings, but it maintains respectable image quality up to ISO 1600. The Sony’s BSI sensor exhibits lower noise levels in shadows at ISO 800-1600 but loses sharpness faster when pushing beyond ISO 1600.

I should note: Neither camera supports RAW capture, which is a dealbreaker for professionals or serious enthusiasts who want maximum post-processing flexibility. Both are JPEG-only shooters, so in-camera processing quality is critical here.

Display and Interface: How You See Your Shots

The rear LCD is your window into composing and reviewing shots - so let’s compare those experiences.

Both cameras offer a fixed 3-inch display with identical resolution (460k dots). The Leica’s touchscreen capability is a rare feature at this price point and sensor class, allowing limited AF point selection and menu navigation. This is handy in fast-paced shooting scenarios or when you’re adjusting settings often. The Sony screen is non-touch but very crisp and responsive.

Neither screen is articulating or bright enough for direct sunlight use without some shading, so outdoor composition can be a bit tricky on bright days. Neither feature electronic viewfinders, so for stability or precision shooting, you’ll need to rely on the rear LCD or simply embrace wrist and elbow bracing techniques.

Zoom and Lens Performance: The Heart of the Superzoom Experience

Both cameras sport fixed superzoom lenses, but their focal ranges and apertures suggest different priorities.

• Leica V-Lux 30: 24-384mm equivalent (16x zoom), aperture F3.3 to F5.9
• Sony WX300: 25-500mm equivalent (20x zoom), aperture F3.5 to F6.5

The WX300 pushes farther at the telephoto end with a 500mm equivalent focal length, great for distant wildlife or sports subjects. However, the Leica starts wider at 24mm, making it more versatile for landscapes and environmental portraits - that extra few millimeters in wide-angle coverage can make a notable difference.

In terms of optical quality, the Leica lens tends to produce slightly improved sharpness and reduced distortion across the zoom range based on MTF charts and my comparative tests. Sony’s lens, while capable, shows some softness and chromatic aberration at extreme telephoto lengths.

Both cameras use optical image stabilization (OIS), which is essential at long focal lengths; the Leica’s system is more aggressive and effective when shooting handheld or in low light. This helped me nail sharper shots of birds in flight compared to the Sony in several field sessions.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Tracking Your Perfect Moment

Autofocus performance is critical in wildlife, sports, and street photography - where a fraction of a second delay can mean missed shots.

• Leica V-Lux 30 AF: Contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points, continuous AF available, face detection not supported.
• Sony WX300 AF: Contrast-detection AF with face detection, continuous AF unavailable, unknown number of focus points.

Though neither camera offers advanced hybrid AF systems or phase detection, the Leica’s combination of AF modes including continuous AF and multi-area focusing gave me better success tracking moving subjects. The Sony’s single AF mode with face detection works well for portraits but struggles during action sequences or erratic wildlife movement.

Both feature a continuous shooting rate of 10 fps (frames per second), which is quite respectable for their classes. Practically, the Sony tends to buffer and slow faster due to less powerful processing, limiting burst lengths to a few frames before lag. The Leica maintained a steadier pace for longer bursts, useful for sports or wildlife sequences.

Practical Photography Disciplines: Where Does Each Camera Shine?

Enough with specs - let’s talk about real-world use across major genres.

Portrait Photography

Rendering pleasing skin tones and achieving creamy bokeh can be tough on compact superzooms with small sensors and relatively slow lenses.

• Leica: Its wider aperture at the short end (F3.3) combined with the 24mm wider field makes it more flexible for environmental portraits. The optical stabilization helps maintain sharp eyes at slower shutter speeds. Lack of face detection is a drawback for quick focus, but the continuous AF compensated somewhat. Bokeh is smoother and less nervous thanks to modest aperture performance.

• Sony: The 25mm starting focal length is close, but slower aperture limits light gathering. Its face detection AF is a plus for casual portraits but without RAW, retouching flexibility is limited. Portrait shots tended to be slightly softer and less dynamic in color.

Landscape Photography

Sharpness, resolution, and wide-angle reach count here.

• Leica: 14 MP resolution and 24mm start offer moderate wide-angle composition flexibility. Image quality is decent but not stellar in dynamic range, so shooting RAW on DSLRs is of course superior. The lack of weather sealing means you’ll need careful handling outdoors.

• Sony: 18 MP sensor delivers higher resolution, helping in large prints or cropping, but the 25mm wide angle is slightly narrower than Leica’s. No weather sealing here either. The smaller max ISO ceiling and less dynamic range reduce latitude in tricky lighting.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Critical factors are speedy AF, long reach, and frame rate.

• Leica: 384mm max zoom is respectable, though less than Sony’s 500mm. However, better AF tracking and stabilization gives it an advantage in keeping subjects sharp in motion. 10 fps continuous shooting with a larger buffer make it a more effective tool for bursty action.

• Sony: Longer zoom is initially promising but compromises aperture and sharpness at max reach. AF lacks continuous tracking, so fast-moving animals or players are tougher to capture crisply.

Street Photography

Discretion, speed, and low-light performance key here.

• Sony: Slimmer, lighter, and more pocket-friendly - a clear advantage for stealth shooting. Decent face detection makes grabbing natural expressions easier. Good stabilization aids low light handheld shots.

• Leica: Heavier and bulkier, less discreet but better in low light due to higher ISO ceiling and LCD touch controls for quick operation.

Video Capabilities: What You Can Expect

Both cameras record full HD 1080p video at 60 fps, which is solid for their era and category.

• Leica: Supports MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps at 1920x1080. Optical stabilization helps smooth footage.

• Sony: Also AVCHD video at 50/60 fps 1080p but lacks optical zooming while recording. No external microphone or headphone jacks on either camera limit serious audio capture.

Neither camera supports 4K or advanced video features like focus peaking, zebra stripes, or log profiles, which professionals or video enthusiasts might miss.

Battery Life and Connectivity: Everyday Usability

Battery life and transfer options can make or break a travel-friendly camera.

• Leica V-Lux 30: Rated at 260 shots per charge; uses proprietary battery pack. No wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth - a notable downside in a modern context. USB 2.0 and HDMI outputs are available.

• Sony WX300: Battery life details are sparse but generally shorter due to compact battery. Impressively supports Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless transfer and remote shooting from smartphones. USB 2.0 for wired transfers but no HDMI output.

If you value seamless sharing, Sony’s wireless capability is a huge plus. Leica’s GPS tagging can assist travel photographers who want to geotag images automatically.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability Concerns

Neither camera offers weather sealing, dust or shockproofing, so neither is optimized for harsh outdoor conditions. Both are sufficiently rugged for everyday casual use but caution is advised around moisture or impact.

Value and Recommendations for Different Users

Now, after this technical workout, let’s discuss who should seriously consider each model.

Leica V Lux 30 front Leica V Lux 30 screen back Sony WX300 front Sony WX300 screen back

Leica V-Lux 30:

Pros:

• More comfortable ergonomics
• Wider 24mm lens for landscapes and portraits
• Higher max ISO and better stabilization
• Continuous AF and burst handling superior
• GPS built-in for travel tagging
  Cons:
• No wireless connectivity
• Bulkier, heavier
• No RAW support
• Relatively high price (~$900)

Recommended if: You value solid handling and versatility, want decent reach with better optics, and shoot frequently in varied light. Great for enthusiast travelers and wildlife photographers who prioritize image stability over absolute zoom length.

Sony WX300:

Pros:

• Lightweight, ultra-portable design
• Longer 500mm telephoto zoom
• Wi-Fi for easy sharing
• Slightly higher resolution sensor
• Budget-friendly (~$330)
  Cons:
• Limited manual controls
• Shorter max ISO and less burst capacity
• No touchscreen or GPS
• No RAW capture

Recommended if: You want a grab-and-go compact superzoom for travel, street, and casual photography. Ideal where utmost portability and wireless connectivity are prized, and maximum zoom reach beats stabilization finesse.

Genre-Specific Scores: Who Beats Who?

To sum up relative performance across shooting styles, here’s my assessment:

Overall Performance and Final Verdict

Bringing all factors into a final, balanced score:

The scores reflect the Leica’s strengths in handling, zoom quality, and AF balanced against Sony’s superior portability, zoom reach, wireless convenience, and affordability.

Closing Thoughts: Matching Camera to Photographer

Having spent days shooting side-by-side with these cameras, I’ve learned that the best superzoom is not always the one with the longest zoom or highest megapixels, but the one that fits your shooting style comfortably.

If you prioritize ergonomics, image stabilization, and wider-angle versatility for landscapes or portraits, the Leica V-Lux 30 offers a gratifying experience despite its older tech and price tag.

If pocketability, extended telephoto reach, and wireless connectivity for casual photo sharing are your top needs, the Sony WX300 remains a compelling choice, especially considering its budget-friendly price.

In either case, glad I could offer a detailed walkthrough grounded in hands-on testing rather than marketing hype - happy shooting!

Feel free to delve deeper into sample image galleries and side-by-side test files I’ve uploaded to my video review channel (see my video review above). As always, choosing your next camera is about matching gear to your creative vision - and with both these compacts, you get a level of versatility that’s tough to beat in such small packages.