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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
48
Overall
42
Leica V-Lux 40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 40
(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
  • Announced May 2012
Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and the SZ5 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 40 was introduced 2 months prior to the SZ5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a full comparison, here is a short view of how the V-Lux 40 matches up vs the SZ5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Panasonic SZ5

 V-Lux 40 SZ5 
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 SZ5 V-Lux 40 

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Panasonic SZ5

 V-Lux 40 SZ5 
ReleasedMay 2012July 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Lack of manual focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Leica V-Lux 40 features exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ5 has dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs).

Look at the Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the V-Lux 40 compared to the SZ5.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 40 and SZ5 is 92 and 95 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The pic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 40 and SZ5.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photos but you have to factor the production date of the products into consideration.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
36
good resolution (14MP)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
decent megapixels (14MP)
includes face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
65
image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than average (210g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography info
47
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (210 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
68
lighter than average (210 grams)
boasts touch to focus
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (210 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
70
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
42
fairly wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (210 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
42
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
35
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (210 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic support
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Panasonic SZ5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 40 and Panasonic SZ5
 Leica V-Lux 40Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
General Information
Company Leica Panasonic
Model Leica V-Lux 40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-05-10 2012-07-18
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 8s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 5.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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) 136g (0.30 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8")
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 250 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $699 $195