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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
48
Overall
41
Leica V-Lux 40 front
 
Ricoh WG-20 front
Portability
93
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 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
Ricoh WG-20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released February 2014
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica V-Lux 40 versus Ricoh WG-20, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Leica and Ricoh. The image resolution of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and the WG-20 (14MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 40 was announced 21 months before the WG-20 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the V-Lux 40 grades against the WG-20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Ricoh WG-20

 V-Lux 40 WG-20 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kClearer screen (+231k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Ricoh WG-20 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 WG-20 V-Lux 40 
ReleasedFebruary 2014May 2012Fresher by 21 months
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Ricoh WG-20

 V-Lux 40 WG-20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and size. The Leica V-Lux 40 has external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Ricoh WG-20 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Analyze the Leica V-Lux 40 versus Ricoh WG-20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the V-Lux 40 against the WG-20.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 40 and WG-20 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The graphic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the V-Lux 40 and WG-20.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP so you can expect comparable quality of photos but you should really take the launch date of the cameras into account. The older V-Lux 40 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Portrait photography features
Ricoh WG-20 Portrait photography features
35
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
39
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
features face detection autofocus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Street photography factors
Ricoh WG-20 Street photography factors
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
lighter than competitors (210g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
62
image stabilization (Digital)
weather proofing
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Sports photography with Ricoh WG-20
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (210 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Travel photography advice
Ricoh WG-20 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors (210 grams)
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
71
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Landscape photography information
Ricoh WG-20 Landscape photography information
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
terrible battery pack (210 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
47
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh WG-20 as a Vlogging camera
35
really wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (210g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
30
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
features face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Ricoh WG-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 40 and Ricoh WG-20
 Leica V-Lux 40Ricoh WG-20
General Information
Company Leica Ricoh
Model type Leica V-Lux 40 Ricoh WG-20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2012-05-10 2014-02-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 461k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 4.00 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, flash off, flash on, auto + redeye
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 720 (30p, 15p), 640 x 480 (30p, 15p), 320 x 240 (30p, 15p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210g (0.46 lb) 164g (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $699 $370