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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Replaced the Leica V-Lux 3
  • Successor is Leica V-Lux 5
Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Announced July 2010
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Leica V-Lux 4 and Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Leica and Pentax. The image resolution of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and the X90 (12MP) is relatively close and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was announced 2 years later than the X90 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-like (bridge)).

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a brief summary of how the V-Lux 4 matches up against the X90 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Pentax X90

 V-Lux 4 X90 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012July 2010More recent by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 X90 V-Lux 4 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Pentax X90

 V-Lux 4 X90 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 4 enjoys exterior measurements 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 Pentax X90 has measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 4 and Pentax X90 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the V-Lux 4 and the X90.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 4 and X90 is 65 and 69 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by viewing technical specs. The graphic here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 4 and X90.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos but you will need to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent V-Lux 4 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Portrait photography with Pentax X90
45
manual focus
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
29
manual focus
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Street photography information
Pentax X90 Street photography information
57
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition (588g)
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography info
Pentax X90 Sports photography info
46
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery life (540 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Travel photography information
Pentax X90 Travel photography information
55
great battery life (540 CIPA)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (588g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
has built in flash
rather wide (26mm)
long zoom (676mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax X90 Landscape photography highlights
48
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (540 shots)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
35
manual focus
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 4
Vlogging with Pentax X90
63
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic socket
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition (588 grams)
23
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Pentax X90
 Leica V-Lux 4Pentax X90
General Information
Company Leica Pentax
Model Leica V-Lux 4 Pentax X90
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-09-17 2010-07-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
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 12MP
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 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,312 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.50 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 588 grams (1.30 lbs) 428 grams (0.94 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
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 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $899 $350