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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L120 front
Portability
75
Imaging
37
Features
38
Overall
37

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Old Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Newer Model is Leica V-Lux 5
Nikon L120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 431g - 110 x 77 x 78mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Older Model is Nikon L110
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Nikon L120, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the L120 (14MP) is very close and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was introduced 20 months later than the L120 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Nikon L120 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the V-Lux 4 matches up against the L120 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Nikon L120

 V-Lux 4 L120 
RevealedSeptember 2012February 2011Fresher by 20 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L120 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 L120 V-Lux 4 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Nikon L120

 V-Lux 4 L120 
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 4 provides physical dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Nikon L120 has proportions of 110mm x 77mm x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1") and a weight of 431 grams (0.95 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Nikon L120 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the V-Lux 4 and the L120.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and L120 is 65 and 75 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing specifications. The graphic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 4 and L120.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon L120 to result in more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent V-Lux 4 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Portrait photography with Nikon L120
45
focusing manually
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
33
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography advice
Nikon L120 Street photography advice
57
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (588 grams)
48
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Sports photography with Nikon L120
46
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
good battery life (540 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
43
great zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography features
Nikon L120 Travel photography features
55
good battery life (540 CIPA)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (588g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (525mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Landscape photography with Nikon L120
48
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (540 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
40
fairly wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging factors
Nikon L120 Vlogging factors
63
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competitors (588 grams)
27
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection autofocus
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L120 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Nikon L120
 Leica V-Lux 4Nikon Coolpix L120
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model Leica V-Lux 4 Nikon Coolpix L120
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-09-17 2011-02-09
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed C2
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-525mm (21.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/3.1-5.8
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display TFT LCD with Anti-reflection coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.50 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye
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) 1280 x 720p (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 588g (1.30 lbs) 431g (0.95 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 110 x 77 x 78mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.1")
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 540 images 330 images
Battery style Battery Pack AA
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (10 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $899 $300