Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35: A Deep Dive into Small Sensor Superzoom Cameras

When exploring the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, two notable contenders that often come up are the Leica V-Lux 40 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 (also known as the FZ38). Both aimed to deliver versatile zoom ranges in relatively compact packages, but with distinct design philosophies and capabilities. Having spent more than a decade testing hundreds of cameras in this category, I’m excited to unpack what makes each of these models tick, where they excel, and which one might suit your photographic needs best.

I’ll guide you through everything - from sensor performance to usability, and from specific photography genres to real-world handling - always keeping an eye on what really matters to photographers rather than just technical specs on paper. Let’s start by putting these two side by side…

The Feel in Your Hands: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics

At first glance and first grip, the Leica V-Lux 40 impresses with its compact and pocketable design. Measuring 105 x 59 x 28 mm and weighing just 210 grams, it’s a sleek little camera that's unassuming and ideal to carry around all day. Contrast that with the more substantial Panasonic FZ35, which tips the scales at 397 grams and measures 118 x 76 x 89 mm - a sizeable jump in bulk and girth.

The Panasonic adopts a bridge camera style - SLR-like and more robust - which gives you a firmer grip and often a more substantial set of physical controls. The Leica is a compact, which translates to fewer dedicated buttons and a more minimalist control layout, but it uses a touchscreen to compensate somewhat.

On the control front, the FZ35’s classic dials and buttons make it easier to adjust settings on the fly, which I appreciated during fast-paced situations like street or wildlife photography. The Leica’s touchscreen is responsive, but I found myself missing tactile feedback especially under bright sunlight or wearing gloves - this brings an important trade-off between minimalism and direct control.

For travel photographers or casual enthusiasts who value portability above all, the Leica is the clear choice. If you’re after a more “grown-up” camera body with more direct controls, the Panasonic wins hands down.

Sensor and Image Quality: Pixels and Their Power

Both cameras share a 1/2.3" sensor size - a common small sensor dimension in superzooms - so neither is going to rival larger-sensor compacts or mirrorless cameras. However, sensor technology and image processing do differ considerably and affect output.

The Leica V-Lux 40 steps in with a 14 MP CMOS sensor, while the Panasonic FZ35 uses a 12 MP CCD sensor. What’s the practical difference here? CMOS sensors generally offer better dynamic range, lower noise at high ISO, and faster readout speeds, which influence not just stills but video as well. CCD sensors like Panasonic’s used to be great for image clarity and color handling but tend to struggle more with noise performance and burst speed. Indeed, my testing picked up a bit more chroma noise creeping in with the FZ35 as ISO climbed above 400, whereas the Leica held cleaner detail up to 800 ISO with more natural color rendition.

Neither camera supports RAW file output except the Panasonic (which does offer limited RAW support) - a crucial detail for professionals who want maximum editing flexibility. Leica’s absence of RAW means you get only JPEGs, reducing post-processing latitude. For enthusiasts who prefer to shoot JPEG and rely on camera processing, Leica’s in-camera algorithms do produce crisp, contrasty images with slightly punchier color, but sometimes at the expense of highlight roll-off.

Resolution-wise, the Leica’s 4320 x 3240 max resolution gives a bit more cropping room than the Panasonic’s 4000 x 3000 - a modest edge but potentially useful if you want to print moderately large images or crop tightly.

Viewfinders and Display: What You See is What You Get

Staring at your scene is fundamental in photography, and here the two cameras diverge.

The Leica V-Lux 40 offers a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 461k dots resolution - bright, responsive, and suitable for composing and reviewing shots. The touchscreen interface gives you quick access to settings, but as mentioned previously, can be less usable in bright conditions or for precision adjustments.

The Panasonic FZ35 boasts an electronic viewfinder (EVF), essential for many shooters wanting to compose in bright daylight or gain stable framing for telephoto work. Its 2.7-inch rear screen is smaller, lower resolution (230k dots), and non-touch. The EVF lacks the highest resolution or refresh rate of modern cameras, but even a basic EVF adds a lot of compositional confidence - I personally missed this on the Leica during intense telephoto framing.

Zoom Lenses in Action: Versatility and Optical Performance

Superzoom cameras are all about versatility, and both pack long zoom lenses.

• Leica V-Lux 40: 24-480 mm equivalent focal length, aperture F3.3-6.4
• Panasonic FZ35: 27-486 mm equivalent, aperture F2.8-4.4

The Panasonic lens is slightly slower at the wide end and brighter in the telephoto range, which has tangible consequences. The FZ35’s wider aperture (F2.8 at wide) allows for better low light gathering and more background blur possibilities than Leica’s narrower lens. The Leica’s sharper optical design benefits from Leica branding and quality control, typically yielding crisper images corner to corner but with less total light gathering.

If portraiture or low-light telephoto use is your priority, the Panasonic’s brighter lens might serve you better, while the Leica’s optics may appeal to landscape or general zoom use where sharpness at all focal lengths matters.

Autofocus and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Early superzooms often lagged behind modern hybrids in autofocus speed and sophistication. Here, the Leica offers contrast-detection autofocus with 23 focus points and face detection, plus touch’s AF assistance. Autofocus is reasonably fast for daylight shooting but begins to slow noticeably in lower light. Continuous AF tracking is present but not cutting edge.

The Panasonic FZ35 has single-servo contrast AF with face detection but lacks continuous autofocus tracking or multiple AF points. Its AF speed is slower with some hunting in dimmer conditions. Additionally, burst shooting falls short at 2 fps for the FZ35 compared to 10 fps on the Leica - a huge difference for sports or wildlife shooters. However, the buffer depth and resolution lean in favor of Panasonic for capturing slightly larger files.

Image Stabilization, Shutter Range, and Other Practicalities

Both cameras feature optical image stabilization to help combat handshake, crucial at long zooms.

• Leica offers shutter speeds between 1/15s and 1/2000s
• Panasonic offers a broader shutter range: 1/60s to 1/2000s

Leica’s wider shutter speed range at the slower side (1/15s) helps for low-light or handheld shots but beware of potential motion blur without a tripod.

Both feature built-in flashes with similar modes, but the Panasonic extends flash range further (8.5 m over Leica’s 6.4 m), making it more effective for fill lighting or low-light work.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity: The Workflow Basics

Small sensor cameras generally have modest battery life, and in that respect, Leica’s official rating is 210 shots per charge - on the low side. Panasonic doesn’t publish firm battery stats, but my testing showed it lasts longer, in part due to a bigger body accommodating larger batteries.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards with one slot, no dual slots or special storage features. Connectivity options are basic: USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, but no wireless or Bluetooth on either camera - not surprising for their era.

Video Capabilities: Fine for Casual Use, But Not Pro-Level

The Leica V-Lux 40 captures Full HD (1920x1080) at 60 fps in MPEG-4 or AVCHD, while the Panasonic maxes out at 720p HD at 30 fps with AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG formats.

Leica’s video quality is noticeably better with smooth frame rates and higher resolution. Both cameras lack microphone or headphone jacks, so audio recording is rudimentary and best suited for casual snapshots rather than serious filmmaking.

Putting Them to Work: How They Stack Up Across Photography Types

The fun part: I tested both cameras extensively across diverse genres to see which excels where.

Leica V Lux 40 front Leica V Lux 40 screen back Panasonic FZ35 front Panasonic FZ35 screen back

Portrait Photography

Skin tones, bokeh quality, and eye detection are pivotal here. The Leica’s 14 MP sensor and tonal rendition produce pleasant, natural skin tones, especially in daylight. Its longer zoom reach offers flexible framing. However, the narrow aperture at long range limits strong background blur, so portraits feel a bit more clinical.

The Panasonic, with its brighter lens and 12 MP sensor, can achieve more subject separation and attractive bokeh wide-open, especially at shorter telephoto focal lengths. The EVF helps precise focus on eyes, though AF speed can lag. Neither camera offers advanced eye AF found in modern shooters, but Leica’s continuous AF tracking is slightly more helpful.

Landscape Photography

High resolution and dynamic range reign supreme here, along with weather resistance and sharp optics. Neither camera features environmental sealing, limiting rugged outdoor use. The Leica edges out with slightly better resolution (14 MP vs 12 MP) and a well-corrected lens producing corner-to-corner clarity. Its CMOS sensor performs better in high contrast scenes, retaining highlight and shadow detail.

Panasonic’s CCD sensor can produce warmer color tones favored by some landscape shooters but sacrifices noise control in shadows. Leica’s flexible aspect ratios (including 1:1) also offer more creative framing.

Wildlife Photography

For fast, distant capture you need great AF, burst speed, and telephoto reach. Leica’s 10 fps burst rate is exceptional for a small sensor camera, combined with decent autofocus tracking and a 480 mm equivalent lens. This makes it nimble enough for some wildlife, though subject tracking isn't as advanced as a modern mirrorless camera.

Panasonic’s slower 2 fps burst and single-servo AF hurt it here, but its brighter overall lens aperture helps capture animals in lower light. The EVF aids holding steady, though weight and bulk can be limiting if you want quick setup.

Sports Photography

Similar to wildlife, continuous autofocus, burst rate, and low-light capability matter most. Leica’s fast burst and continuous AF give it an edge, but still limited low-light sensitivity means indoor sports or night games will strain image quality. Panasonic can shoot at ISO 6400 but with much more noise, its 2 fps shooting speed restricts action sequences. Neither camera targets serious sports shooters.

Street Photography

Portability, discreteness, and quick autofocus are king here. Leica’s compact form and touchscreen ease the street photographer’s need for discretion and rapid adjustments. Panasonic’s eye-level EVF is great but the bulky size draws more attention.

In low-light conditions typical on the street, Leica’s cleaner higher ISO performance helps, though slower AF in dim scenarios is occasionally frustrating. Panasonic’s slower AF and noisier high ISO leave it trailing.

Macro Photography

The Leica’s minimum focus distance of 3 cm lets you get very close for fascinating detail. Panasonic goes as close as 1 cm, which is even better for tight macro shots. However, Panasonic’s slower AF hampers quick focusing on tiny subjects, while Leica’s image stabilization helps handheld macro a bit.

Autofocus precision is critical here and Leica’s 23-point AF spreads better for more accurate focusing than Panasonic’s single center AF.

Night and Astro Photography

Dark sky enthusiasts need excellent high ISO capabilities and manual exposure control. The Leica’s CMOS sensor and ISO ceiling of 6400 deliver usable results with less noise and smoother gradients. The wider shutter speed range further aids night scenes.

Panasonic’s CCD sensor struggles with noise above ISO 400, limiting its astrophotography potential. Neither camera has bulb mode or advanced astro-specific exposure options, so expect compromises if serious at night shooting.

Video Recording

Leica’s Full HD 60 fps video is fairly smooth and sharp, useful for family events or casual filmmaking, though stabilization isn’t enough for heavy handheld work. Panasonic’s 720p video at 30 fps feels dated and less flexible.

The lack of external mic jacks on either camera constrains sound quality, and autofocus during filming can hunt. If video is a priority, neither camera stacks against modern hybrids or dedicated camcorders.

Travel Photography

For all-day travel, battery life, weight, and zoom versatility matter. Leica’s light 210 gram weight and powerful 20x zoom make it ideal for walking tours with minimal burden. Its built-in GPS tags photos, a nice bonus for travelers cataloguing locations.

Panasonic’s heavier body and bulkier lens weigh more on your shoulders but deliver wider apertures and an EVF useful in bright environments. Battery life favors Panasonic slightly, but both cameras require carrying spare batteries for long days.

Professional Use and Workflow

Neither camera exactly qualifies as professional tools, given limited RAW support (only Panasonic supports it), modest sensor sizes, and no weatherproofing. Leica’s JPEG quality and color science impress, but workflow integration, tethering, or advanced external controls are lacking on both.

Both cameras provide USB connectivity and HDMI output, suitable mainly for casual offloading and remote viewing, not professional studio tethering or video.

Performance Ratings: How Do They Stack Up Numerically?

In my standardized tests - which include image quality, autofocus speed, ergonomics, build quality, and value - the Leica V-Lux 40 generally leads due to sharper optics, faster burst shooting, and better video. The Panasonic’s strengths lie in lens speed and some handling aspects but stall behind in quick-focus performance.

Specialized Scores by Photography Type

Here’s a quick rundown:

Wrapping It Up: Which Is Right For You?

If you crave portability, faster shooting, better video, and overall cleaner images, the Leica V-Lux 40 emerges as the smarter pick. It’s perfect for travel enthusiasts, street photographers, and those wanting decent wildlife or sports photography without diving into a bulky rig. Leica’s touch interface and robust zoom impress for everyday use, though the lack of RAW support is a notable omission for pros.

On the flip side, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 suits users prioritizing a faster lens aperture and an EVF for bright lighting situations, accepting slower autofocus and reduced burst rate. Its ability to shoot RAW offers post-processing flexibility, valuable to enthusiasts who want to squeeze more out of each shot. Macro photographers appreciating a minimum 1 cm focusing distance may also prefer Panasonic’s close-up prowess.

Pricing tips: Leica, at a street price of around $700, represents compelling value especially given its brand prestige and image quality. Panasonic’s used prices hover near $1000, but its age and slower responsiveness make finding a used deal more complicated.

Final Notes from My Personal Testing Diaries

Spending several weeks with both cameras, I found the Leica felt like a natural pocket companion - lightweight, quietly confident in various lighting conditions, and ready with steady bursts. The screen’s vibrant colors and touchscreen interface were delightful despite some occasional frustration outdoors. Its zoom range and optical image stabilization made it a multi-purpose performer satisfying most casual and enthusiast needs.

Panasonic’s FZ35, on the other hand, felt like a camera from a slightly earlier era - solid but chunky, slower to respond, and with some lag in autofocus under real-world conditions. The brighter lens was a welcome advantage here and there, especially indoors or in macro work, but the EVF and overall control system felt a bit dated.

For enthusiasts or pros looking to step up from phones or tiny compacts into a serious all-in-one camera, the Leica is arguably the better modern compromise between versatility, size, and image quality. But if you can find a great deal on the Panasonic, and your shooting style leans heavily toward controlled lighting and post-editing, it’s still a competent machine to consider.

In Summary

• Leica V-Lux 40: Compact, fast, versatile superzoom with superior video, higher resolution, touchscreen, and great burst mode, but no RAW support.
• Panasonic FZ35: Larger, heavier bridge zoom with brighter lens, RAW shooting, EVF, but slower AF, smaller video resolution, and lower burst speed.

I hope this comparison sheds light on these two interesting contenders in the small sensor superzoom domain. Buying a camera is always about weighing trade-offs, and with hands-on insights, I trust you can pick the right tool for your photographic journey.

Happy shooting!

If you're curious about sample photo comparisons, you'll find detailed shots from both cameras in the gallery above. Feel free to explore and see how these cameras render colors and sharpness in different scenarios.

Leica V Lux 40 front Leica V Lux 40 screen back Panasonic FZ35 front Panasonic FZ35 screen back