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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Previous Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Replacement is Leica V-Lux 5
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was brought out 3 years after the ZS3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the V-Lux 4 matches up vs the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Panasonic ZS3

 V-Lux 4 ZS3 
IntroducedSeptember 2012May 2009More modern by 41 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 ZS3 V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS3

 V-Lux 4 ZS3 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 4 has got external measurements of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") along with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the V-Lux 4 vs the ZS3.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and ZS3 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through specifications. The pic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 4 and ZS3.

Plainly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Leica V-Lux 4 to resolve greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent V-Lux 4 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography advice
45
focusing manually
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
19
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography factors
57
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors in class (588g)
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography highlights
46
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
good battery (540 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
55
good battery (540 per charge)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (588 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
48
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
good battery (540 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
35
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging highlights
63
relatively wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competitors in class (588 grams)
30
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS3
 Leica V-Lux 4Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model Leica V-Lux 4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-09-17 2009-05-14
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.50 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD AVCHD Lite
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 588 gr (1.30 lb) 229 gr (0.50 lb)
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 All around 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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $899 $200