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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Replaced the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Replacement is Leica V-Lux 5
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Panasonic SZ8, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Leica and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and SZ8 (16MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was unveiled 15 months earlier than the SZ8 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the V-Lux 4 grades against the SZ8 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Panasonic SZ8

 V-Lux 4 SZ8 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 SZ8 V-Lux 4 
RevealedJanuary 2014September 2012More modern by 15 months

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic SZ8

 V-Lux 4 SZ8 
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica V-Lux 4 offers outside measurements of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Panasonic SZ8 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the V-Lux 4 compared to the SZ8.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and SZ8 is 65 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes only by reading specifications. The picture underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 4 and SZ8.

Plainly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Panasonic SZ8 to offer more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 4 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
45
you can focus manually
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
35
good MP (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography details
Panasonic SZ8 Street photography details
57
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (588g)
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography highlights
46
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
good battery life (540 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
55
good battery life (540 per charge)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (588g)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography factors
48
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (540 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse function
42
quite wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging features
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging features
63
decently wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic support
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competitors in class (588g)
32
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than competition (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic SZ8
 Leica V-Lux 4Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Make Leica Panasonic
Model Leica V-Lux 4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine
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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/3.1-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.50 m 5.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 588 gr (1.30 lb) 159 gr (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 200 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $899 $275