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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 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
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Older Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Renewed by Leica V-Lux 5
Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the ZS1 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the V-Lux 4 (1/2.3") and ZS1 (1/2.5") have different sensor sizing.

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The V-Lux 4 was launched 3 years after the ZS1 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the V-Lux 4 matches up versus the ZS1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Panasonic ZS1

 V-Lux 4 ZS1 
LaunchedSeptember 2012May 2009Newer by 41 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 ZS1 V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS1

 V-Lux 4 ZS1 
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 4 has outside 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 Panasonic ZS1 has specifications of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the V-Lux 4 against the ZS1.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the V-Lux 4 and ZS1 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading through a spec sheet. The picture below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 4 and ZS1.

As you can see, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The V-Lux 4 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Leica V-Lux 4 will give you more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher V-Lux 4 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography details
45
has manual focus
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
25
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
57
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (588 grams)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography advice
46
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
good battery pack (540 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography features
Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography features
55
good battery pack (540 CIPA)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
really wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (588g)
low megapixels (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography info
Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography info
48
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (540 per charge)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
MP count low (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging information
Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging information
63
really wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competitors in class (588g)
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS1
 Leica V-Lux 4Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ6
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.5"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 5.744 x 4.308mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 24.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 6.3
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen 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 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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) 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 640x480
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588 gr (1.30 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 photos -
Battery style 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/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $899 $0