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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
62
Overall
46
Leica V-Lux 4 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Old Model is Leica V-Lux 3
  • Later Model is Leica V-Lux 5
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Released July 2011
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the V-Lux 4 (12MP) and HX9V (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 4 was introduced 15 months after the HX9V which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 4 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony HX9V being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the V-Lux 4 grades vs the HX9V with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 4 over the Sony HX9V

 V-Lux 4 HX9V 
ReleasedSeptember 2012July 2011More modern by 15 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Leica V-Lux 4

 HX9V V-Lux 4 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX9V

 V-Lux 4 HX9V 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 4 comes with exterior measurements of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Sony HX9V has measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Check out the Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX9V in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the V-Lux 4 against the HX9V.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 4 and HX9V is 65 and 91 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through technical specs. The pic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 4 and HX9V.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should count on the Sony HX9V to render more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent V-Lux 4 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 4
Portrait photography with Sony HX9V
45
you can focus manually
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
39
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Street photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Street photography camera
57
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than average in class (588 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (245 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Sports photography details
Sony HX9V Sports photography details
46
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
great battery life (540 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
44
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Travel photography camera
55
great battery life (540 shots)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
quite wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average in class (588g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
lighter than others (245g)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony HX9V as a Landscape photography camera
48
you can focus manually
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
great battery life (540 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
49
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 4 Vlogging details
Sony HX9V Vlogging details
63
quite wide (25mm)
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average in class (588g)
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (245g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone port
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Leica V-Lux 4 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 4 and Sony HX9V
 Leica V-Lux 4Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model Leica V-Lux 4 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-09-17 2011-07-19
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 1cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.50 m 4.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE 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) 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 588 gr (1.30 lbs) 245 gr (0.54 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $899 $328