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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Replaced the Leica V-Lux 3
  • New Model is Leica V-Lux 5
Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Released April 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS25
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Leica and Panasonic. The resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the ZS20 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was brought out 5 months after the ZS20 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the V-Lux 4 scores against the ZS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Panasonic ZS20

 V-Lux 4 ZS20 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 ZS20 V-Lux 4 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS20

 V-Lux 4 ZS20 
ReleasedSeptember 2012April 2012Similar age
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 4 features exterior measurements of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS20 has dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the V-Lux 4 vs the ZS20.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and ZS20 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking specifications. The picture below will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 4 and ZS20.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic ZS20 to give you more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots far more aggressively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography info
Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography info
45
you can focus manually
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
30
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
57
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (588g)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus by touch
lighter than others (206 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS20
46
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
great battery life (540 shots)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS20
55
great battery life (540 shots)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others (588g)
low MP (12MP)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than others (206g)
supports focus by touch
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (480mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography factors
48
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (540 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 4
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
63
relatively wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone socket
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than others (588 grams)
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (206 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS20
 Leica V-Lux 4Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
General Information
Make Leica Panasonic
Model Leica V-Lux 4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-09-17 2012-04-26
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-480mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
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 60s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.50 m 6.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
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 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 588g (1.30 lbs) 206g (0.45 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 images 260 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $899 $349