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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Olympus SZ-12 front
Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 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
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Refreshed by Leica V-Lux 5
Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released January 2012
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-12, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the SZ-12 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was introduced 9 months after the SZ-12 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the V-Lux 4 grades vs the SZ-12 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Olympus SZ-12

 V-Lux 4 SZ-12 
ReleasedSeptember 2012January 2012Newer by 9 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SZ-12 V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-12

 V-Lux 4 SZ-12 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Touch display Missing Touch display

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 4 has external dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") and a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-12 has measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Look at the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-12 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the V-Lux 4 compared to the SZ-12.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and SZ-12 is 65 and 89 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing technical specs. The pic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 4 and SZ-12.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Olympus SZ-12 to show greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more recent V-Lux 4 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography details
45
you can focus manually
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
34
resolution is good (14MP)
provides face detection focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
57
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
small sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (588g)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography information
Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography information
46
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
good battery life (540 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 per charge)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography details
Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
55
good battery life (540 per charge)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors (588g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition (226 grams)
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (220 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SZ-12 Landscape photography highlights
48
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (540 per charge)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
40
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
bad battery power (220 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-12 as a Vlogging camera
63
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic port
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competitors (588g)
31
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition (226 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic jack
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-12 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-12
 Leica V-Lux 4Olympus SZ-12
General Information
Brand Leica Olympus
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Olympus SZ-12
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2012-01-10
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588 gr (1.30 pounds) 226 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
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 images 220 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $899 $350