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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost 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
  • Refreshed by Leica V-Lux 5
Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS7
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the ZS8 (14MP) is relatively close and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was revealed 15 months later than the ZS8 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras come with different body type with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the V-Lux 4 grades against the ZS8 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Panasonic ZS8

 V-Lux 4 ZS8 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012July 2011More recent by 15 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 ZS8 V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS8

 V-Lux 4 ZS8 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 4 enjoys outside 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) and the Panasonic ZS8 has proportions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the V-Lux 4 vs the ZS8.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and ZS8 is 65 and 92 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching technical specs. The graphic below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 4 and ZS8.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Panasonic ZS8 to result in more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The fresher V-Lux 4 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Portrait photography advice
Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography advice
45
you can focus manually
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
30
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography details
Panasonic ZS8 Street photography details
57
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (588g)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography information
46
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
great battery power (540 shots)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS8
55
great battery power (540 CIPA)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (588g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than competition in class (210g)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography information
Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography information
48
you can focus manually
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (540 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse function
44
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging details
63
decently wide (25mm)
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition in class (588 grams)
30
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Panasonic ZS8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Panasonic ZS8
 Leica V-Lux 4Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
General Information
Make Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8
Also Known as - Lumix DMC-TZ18
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-09-17 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
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 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 5.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588 gr (1.30 lb) 210 gr (0.46 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 photographs 340 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $899 $275