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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Olympus Stylus SH-2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Older Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Replacement is Leica V-Lux 5
Olympus SH-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Released March 2015
  • Succeeded the Olympus SH-1
  • Replacement is Olympus SH-3
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Leica and Olympus. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and SH-2 (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was launched 3 years before the SH-2 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the V-Lux 4 scores versus the SH-2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Olympus SH-2

 V-Lux 4 SH-2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-2 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SH-2 V-Lux 4 
ReleasedMarch 2015September 2012More recent by 30 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SH-2

 V-Lux 4 SH-2 
Display size3"3"Same display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 4 has got external dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") having a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Olympus SH-2 has specifications of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check out the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the V-Lux 4 vs the SH-2.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and SH-2 is 65 and 88 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by seeing specs. The visual underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 4 and SH-2.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Olympus SH-2 to show greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The older V-Lux 4 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Portrait photography with Olympus SH-2
45
you can focus manually
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
44
good MP (16MP)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Street photography camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Street photography camera
57
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (588g)
70
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
lighter than others (271 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography details
Olympus SH-2 Sports photography details
46
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
great battery life (540 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Travel photography with Olympus SH-2
55
great battery life (540 CIPA)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (588 grams)
low MP (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
74
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
lighter than others (271 grams)
features focus by touch
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Landscape photography with Olympus SH-2
48
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (540 shots)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
55
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SH-2 as a Vlogging camera
63
decently wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone jack
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competitors in class (588 grams)
35
decently wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (271 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
does not have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone support
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SH-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SH-2
 Leica V-Lux 4Olympus Stylus SH-2
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Olympus
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Olympus Stylus SH-2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-09-17 2015-03-11
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech 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 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 11.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 8.30 m (at ISO 3200)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588 gr (1.30 lbs) 271 gr (0.60 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7")
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 shots 380 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - LI-92B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $899 $399