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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
48
Overall
41
Leica V-Lux 40 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ18 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 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
  • Released May 2012
Pentax RZ18
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-450mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed September 2011
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Leica and Pentax. The image resolution of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and the RZ18 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 40 was brought out 9 months later than the RZ18 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the V-Lux 40 scores against the RZ18 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Pentax RZ18

 V-Lux 40 RZ18 
RevealedMay 2012September 2011More recent by 9 months
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ18 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 RZ18 V-Lux 40 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax RZ18

 V-Lux 40 RZ18 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 40 enjoys 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) while the Pentax RZ18 has measurements of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

See the Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 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 are using at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the V-Lux 40 compared to the RZ18.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 40 and RZ18 is 92 and 92 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 40 and RZ18.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Pentax RZ18 to offer you more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher V-Lux 40 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Portrait photography camera
35
megapixel count good (14MP)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
36
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Street photography details
Pentax RZ18 Street photography details
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch focus
lighter than others (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Sports photography advice
Pentax RZ18 Sports photography advice
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (210 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
46
incredible zoom range (25-450mm 18.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ18 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than others (210 grams)
provides touch focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long zoom (480mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
lighter than average in class (178 grams)
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (450mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Landscape photography information
Pentax RZ18 Landscape photography information
42
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
49
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Vlogging features
Pentax RZ18 Vlogging features
35
fairly wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
no mic support
30
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (178g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax RZ18 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax RZ18
 Leica V-Lux 40Pentax Optio RZ18
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model type Leica V-Lux 40 Pentax Optio RZ18
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-05-10 2011-09-12
Physical type 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 25-450mm (18.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 4cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 gr (0.46 pounds) 178 gr (0.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $699 $210