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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
48
Overall
41
Leica V-Lux 40 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 Key Specs

Leica V-Lux 40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Introduced May 2012
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Announced February 2010
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax W90, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by brands Leica and Pentax. The image resolution of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and the W90 (12MP) is very similar and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 40 was introduced 2 years later than the W90 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the V-Lux 40 scores vs the W90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Pentax W90

 V-Lux 40 W90 
AnnouncedMay 2012February 2010Fresher by 27 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 W90 V-Lux 40 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax W90

 V-Lux 40 W90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica V-Lux 40 has physical measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax W90 has measurements of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Contrast the Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax W90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the V-Lux 40 versus the W90.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 40 and W90 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by going over technical specs. The visual here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 40 and W90.

As you have seen, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Leica V-Lux 40 to offer you extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern V-Lux 40 will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Portrait photography with Pentax W90
35
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
27
focusing manually
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Street photography highlights
Pentax W90 Street photography highlights
65
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (210g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
environment proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Sports photography with Pentax W90
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
24
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Travel photography factors
Pentax W90 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition in class (210g)
comes with focus via touch
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery (210 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
environment proof
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Landscape photography with Pentax W90
42
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
37
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
35
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
25
fairly wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax W90
 Leica V-Lux 40Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model type Leica V-Lux 40 Pentax Optio W90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-05-10 2010-02-24
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 grams (0.46 lbs) 164 grams (0.36 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $699 $120