Clicky

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Leica V-Lux 5 front
Portability
55
Imaging
55
Features
80
Overall
65

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Successor is Leica V-Lux 5
Leica V-Lux 5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 12500 (Expand to 25000)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-400mm (F2.8-4) lens
  • 812g - 137 x 97 x 132mm
  • Launched January 2020
  • Older Model is Leica V-Lux 4
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Leica V-Lux 5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Large Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Leica. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and V-Lux 5 (20MP) and the V-Lux 4 (1/2.3") and V-Lux 5 (1") come with different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The V-Lux 4 was manufactured 8 years prior to the V-Lux 5 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the V-Lux 4 grades vs the V-Lux 5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Leica V-Lux 5

 V-Lux 4 V-Lux 5 

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 5 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 V-Lux 5 V-Lux 4 
LaunchedJanuary 2020September 2012Fresher by 89 months
Display resolution1240k460kSharper display (+780k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Leica V-Lux 5

 V-Lux 4 V-Lux 5 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 4 offers outside dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") along with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Leica V-Lux 5 has sizing of 137mm x 97mm x 132mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 5.2") along with a weight of 812 grams (1.79 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Leica V-Lux 5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the V-Lux 4 versus the V-Lux 5.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 4 and V-Lux 5 is 65 and 55 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing purely by looking through technical specs. The visual below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 4 and V-Lux 5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The V-Lux 4 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Leica V-Lux 5 will provide you with more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The older V-Lux 4 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Portrait photography camera
Leica V-Lux 5 as a Portrait photography camera
45
has manual focus
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Street photography with Leica V-Lux 5
57
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (588g)
71
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
has touch to focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 5
46
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (540 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
70
amazing zoom range (24-400mm 16.7 x zoom)
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
features tracking focus
has no phase detect autofocus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography information
Leica V-Lux 5 Travel photography information
55
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (588 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (400mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography information
Leica V-Lux 5 Landscape photography information
48
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
62
manual focus
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have Time Lapse function
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 4
Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 5
63
fairly wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic support
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition in class (588 grams)
68
fairly wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Leica V-Lux 5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Leica V-Lux 5
 Leica V-Lux 4Leica V-Lux 5
General Information
Company Leica Leica
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Leica V-Lux 5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-09-17 2020-01-17
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 12500
Highest boosted ISO 6400 25000
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 49
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-400mm (16.7x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,240k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dots 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 13.50 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, auto w/slow sync and redeye reduction, on, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588 grams (1.30 lb) 812 grams (1.79 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 137 x 97 x 132mm (5.4" x 3.8" x 5.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 540 photographs 360 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Built-in
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $899 $1,550