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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Replaced the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Updated by Leica V-Lux 5
Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Older Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Replacement is Olympus SP-820UZ
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Olympus SP-820UZ, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the SP-820UZ (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was revealed around the same time to the SP-820UZ and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the V-Lux 4 scores vs the SP-820UZ in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 V-Lux 4 SP-820UZ 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SP-820UZ V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SP-820UZ

 V-Lux 4 SP-820UZ 
RevealedSeptember 2012August 2012Same age
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 4 has got outer 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 Olympus SP-820UZ has proportions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Olympus SP-820UZ in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 4 vs the SP-820UZ.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and SP-820UZ is 65 and 69 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The visual here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 4 and SP-820UZ.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Olympus SP-820UZ to provide you with more detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Portrait photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
45
focusing manually
supports face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
34
decent MP (14MP)
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography details
Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography details
57
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (588g)
37
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than average (485 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Sports photography camera
Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
46
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery life (540 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
33
excellent zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography factors
Olympus SP-820UZ Travel photography factors
55
better than average battery life (540 per charge)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (588 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
55
decent MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (22mm)
long reach (896mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (485g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography factors
Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography factors
48
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (540 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have Time Lapse mode
35
really wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3")
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging advice
Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging advice
63
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic socket
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competitors in class (588 grams)
25
really wide (22mm)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external mic port
heavier than average (485g)
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Olympus SP-820UZ Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Olympus SP-820UZ
 Leica V-Lux 4Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
General Information
Make Leica Olympus
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-09-17 2012-08-21
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 22-896mm (40.7x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/3.4-5.7
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen 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
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 15.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 grams (1.30 lb) 485 grams (1.07 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7")
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 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $899 $299