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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
48
Overall
42
Leica V-Lux 40 front
 
Pentax X90 front
Portability
69
Imaging
35
Features
34
Overall
34

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 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
  • Revealed May 2012
Pentax X90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-676mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 111 x 85 x 110mm
  • Announced July 2010
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 Overview

Following is a extensive review of the Leica V-Lux 40 versus Pentax X90, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Leica and Pentax. The resolution of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and the X90 (12MP) is fairly close and they feature the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 40 was introduced 23 months after the X90 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Leica V-Lux 40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X90 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the V-Lux 40 matches up vs the X90 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Pentax X90

 V-Lux 40 X90 
AnnouncedMay 2012July 2010More modern by 23 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax X90 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 X90 V-Lux 40 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax X90

 V-Lux 40 X90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera, you'll need to take into account 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") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax X90 has measurements of 111mm x 85mm x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Leica V-Lux 40 versus Pentax X90 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the V-Lux 40 versus the X90.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 40 and X90 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The image underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the V-Lux 40 and X90.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Leica V-Lux 40 to result in extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The newer V-Lux 40 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Portrait photography with Pentax X90
36
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
29
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Street photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Optical)
includes focus by touch
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Sports photography information
Pentax X90 Sports photography information
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (210 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
42
great zoom range (26-676mm 26.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Travel photography highlights
Pentax X90 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
includes focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
flash built-in
really wide (26mm)
great reach (676mm)
no Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X90 as a Landscape photography camera
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery life (210 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
35
you can focus manually
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Vlogging advice
Pentax X90 Vlogging advice
35
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic socket
23
really wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Pentax X90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 40 and Pentax X90
 Leica V-Lux 40Pentax X90
General Information
Make Leica Pentax
Model type Leica V-Lux 40 Pentax X90
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-05-10 2010-07-06
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias 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 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 26-676mm (26.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 pounds) 428 grams (0.94 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 85 x 110mm (4.4" x 3.3" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-L106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $699 $350