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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Older Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Refreshed by Leica V-Lux 5
Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic FZ40, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the FZ40 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was unveiled 2 years after the FZ40 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief view of how the V-Lux 4 grades versus the FZ40 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Panasonic FZ40

 V-Lux 4 FZ40 
RevealedSeptember 2012July 2010More modern by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 FZ40 V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic FZ40

 V-Lux 4 FZ40 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 4 has got physical dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Panasonic FZ40 has dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") and a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs).

Check the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic FZ40 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the V-Lux 4 versus the FZ40.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and FZ40 is 65 and 68 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The image underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 4 and FZ40.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Panasonic FZ40 to provide more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger V-Lux 4 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
45
focusing manually
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography details
Panasonic FZ40 Street photography details
57
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (588 grams)
51
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (494g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
46
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
good battery life (540 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography info
Panasonic FZ40 Travel photography info
55
good battery life (540 per charge)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (588g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
54
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (494 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography advice
48
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (540 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse function
51
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
63
decently wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (588g)
23
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than competitors (494g)
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic FZ40 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic FZ40
 Leica V-Lux 4Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-FZ45
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-09-17 2010-07-21
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 9.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 588 grams (1.30 lbs) 494 grams (1.09 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6")
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 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $899 $420