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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 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
  • Older Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Updated by Leica V-Lux 5
Sony HX80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Push to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched March 2016
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX80, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and HX80 (18MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was released 4 years prior to the HX80 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the V-Lux 4 scores versus the HX80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Sony HX80

 V-Lux 4 HX80 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Leica V-Lux 4

 HX80 V-Lux 4 
LaunchedMarch 2016September 2012Newer by 42 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX80

 V-Lux 4 HX80 
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 4 offers physical dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony HX80 has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Look at the Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX80 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 4 versus the HX80.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and HX80 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching a spec sheet. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 4 and HX80.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Sony HX80 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 4 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Portrait photography with Sony HX80
45
manual focus
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
39
good resolution (18 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Street photography camera
57
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (588g)
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Sports photography camera
46
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (540 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery life (390 per charge)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX80 as a Travel photography camera
55
better than average battery (540 shots)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (588 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
76
better than average battery life (390 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
good resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Landscape photography with Sony HX80
48
manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
49
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
better than average battery life (390 per charge)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX80 as a Vlogging camera
63
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than others in class (588 grams)
75
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
missing mic socket
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX80
 Leica V-Lux 4Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica V-Lux 4 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2016-03-07
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4896 x 3672
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 588 grams (1.30 lbs) 245 grams (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 390 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $899 $368