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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Succeeded the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Refreshed by Leica V-Lux 5
Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced June 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Panasonic ZS5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the ZS5 (12MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The V-Lux 4 was released 2 years after the ZS5 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera.

Before getting in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the V-Lux 4 matches up versus the ZS5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Panasonic ZS5

 V-Lux 4 ZS5 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012June 2010Newer by 28 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 ZS5 V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS5

 V-Lux 4 ZS5 
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 4 has exterior dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") and a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS5 has dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs).

Check out the Leica V-Lux 4 versus Panasonic ZS5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the V-Lux 4 vs the ZS5.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and ZS5 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking specifications. The image here will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 4 and ZS5.

Plainly, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution so you can expect similar quality of files though you might want to take the age of the products into consideration. The more recent V-Lux 4 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography factors
45
focusing manually
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
27
provides face detection focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography features
Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
57
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than average (588g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (214g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography advice
46
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery life (540 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
31
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography info
55
great battery life (540 per charge)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (588g)
low resolution (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
63
lighter than average (214 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography information
48
focusing manually
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (540 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
33
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
63
decently wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average (588 grams)
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than average (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS5
 Leica V-Lux 4Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
Alternative name - Lumix DMC-TZ8
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2010-06-16
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
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 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type 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 range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588g (1.30 lbs) 214g (0.47 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $899 $300