Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS
92 Imaging
37 Features
48 Overall
41


89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37
Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
- 210g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
- Released May 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Announced January 2013

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Leica V-Lux 40 versus Olympus SZ-16 iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by brands Leica and Olympus. The image resolution of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The V-Lux 40 was unveiled 8 months before the SZ-16 iHS so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a full comparison, here is a concise summary of how the V-Lux 40 scores against the SZ-16 iHS in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Leica V-Lux 40 & Olympus SZ-16 iHS. The full galleries are available at Leica V-Lux 40 Gallery & Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
V-Lux 40 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Leica V-Lux 40
SZ-16 iHS | V-Lux 40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2013 | ![]() | May 2012 | More modern by 8 months |
Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Olympus SZ-16 iHS
V-Lux 40 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Lack of manual focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Physical Comparison
When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 40 has exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Olympus SZ-16 iHS has dimensions of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).
See the Leica V-Lux 40 versus Olympus SZ-16 iHS in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the V-Lux 40 versus the SZ-16 iHS.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 40 and SZ-16 iHS is 92 and 89 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at specifications. The image below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 40 and SZ-16 iHS.
To sum up, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Olympus SZ-16 iHS to give extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged V-Lux 40 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Olympus SZ-16 iHS Specifications
Leica V-Lux 40 | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Leica | Olympus |
Model | Leica V-Lux 40 | Olympus SZ-16 iHS |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2012-05-10 | 2013-01-08 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | - |
Full resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-480mm (20.0x) | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | f/3.0-6.9 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | - |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 461k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 6.40 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB 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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 210g (0.46 lbs) | 226g (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 | 210 shots | 220 shots |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | LI-50B |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch price | $699 | $230 |