Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX99

Its time to look more in depth at the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and HX99 (18MP) and the V-Lux 4 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) offer totally different sensor size.

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The V-Lux 4 was announced 7 years prior to the HX99 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX99 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the V-Lux 4 grades versus the HX99 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99. The whole galleries are viewable at Leica V-Lux 4 Gallery and Sony HX99 Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 4 comes with outside dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Sony HX99 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Examine the Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX99 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the V-Lux 4 vs the HX99.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and HX99 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Sometimes, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by looking through specifications. The photograph below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the V-Lux 4 and HX99.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The V-Lux 4 using its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX99 will result in more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The older V-Lux 4 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.