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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Olympus SZ-16 iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
36
Overall
38

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Succeeded the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Replacement is Leica V-Lux 5
Olympus SZ-16 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Leica and Olympus. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and SZ-16 iHS (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was released 3 months before the SZ-16 iHS and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the V-Lux 4 matches up against the SZ-16 iHS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 V-Lux 4 SZ-16 iHS 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SZ-16 iHS V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS

 V-Lux 4 SZ-16 iHS 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012January 2013Similar generation
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution460k460kEqual display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 4 features outer dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") and a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the V-Lux 4 versus the SZ-16 iHS.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and SZ-16 iHS is 65 and 89 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 4 and SZ-16 iHS.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to offer extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography information
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Portrait photography information
45
you can focus manually
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
35
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography factors
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Street photography factors
57
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (588 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SZ-16 iHS as a Sports photography camera
46
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
great battery (540 shots)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
42
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (220 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography info
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Travel photography info
55
great battery (540 per charge)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (588 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (220 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography info
Olympus SZ-16 iHS Landscape photography info
48
you can focus manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
great battery (540 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
41
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 4
Vlogging with Olympus SZ-16 iHS
63
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competitors in class (588g)
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
 Leica V-Lux 4Olympus SZ-16 iHS
General Information
Brand Name Leica Olympus
Model Leica V-Lux 4 Olympus SZ-16 iHS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-09-17 2013-01-08
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 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
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 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 588 grams (1.30 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6")
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 photos 220 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $899 $230