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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
Portability
72
Imaging
40
Features
28
Overall
35

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Refreshed by Leica V-Lux 5
Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon L810
  • Replacement is Nikon L830
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and L820 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was revealed 4 months before the L820 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the V-Lux 4 grades vs the L820 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Nikon L820

 V-Lux 4 L820 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 L820 V-Lux 4 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Nikon L820

 V-Lux 4 L820 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012January 2013Same age
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 4 has physical measurements of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") and a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Nikon L820 has measurements of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") along with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the V-Lux 4 compared to the L820.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and L820 is 65 and 72 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The image underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 4 and L820.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Nikon L820 to show more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Portrait photography with Nikon L820
45
manual focus
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
30
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography info
Nikon L820 Street photography info
57
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (588g)
38
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than others (470g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Sports photography with Nikon L820
46
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
36
great zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
good megapixels (16MP)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon L820 as a Travel photography camera
55
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (588 grams)
low MP (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (23mm)
great reach (675mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than others (470g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography details
Nikon L820 Landscape photography details
48
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse recording
36
relatively wide (23mm)
screen is a good size (3")
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging information
Nikon L820 Vlogging information
63
quite wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition in class (588g)
24
relatively wide (23mm)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of mic support
heavier than others (470g)
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Nikon L820 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Nikon L820
 Leica V-Lux 4Nikon Coolpix L820
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Nikon Coolpix L820
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-09-17 2013-01-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 23-675mm (29.3x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/3.0-5.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.50 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588g (1.30 lbs) 470g (1.04 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures 320 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $899 $192