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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
48
Overall
42
Leica V-Lux 40 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 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
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Launched April 2009
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony HX1, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the V-Lux 40 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") feature different sensor measurements.

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The V-Lux 40 was released 3 years after the HX1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica V-Lux 40 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the V-Lux 40 matches up vs the HX1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Sony HX1

 V-Lux 40 HX1 
LaunchedMay 2012April 2009Newer by 38 months
Display resolution461k230kSharper display (+231k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 HX1 V-Lux 40 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony HX1

 V-Lux 40 HX1 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica V-Lux 40 has external measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Sony HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") along with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony HX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the V-Lux 40 compared to the HX1.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the V-Lux 40 and HX1 is 92 and 67 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing specifications. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 40 and HX1.

To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The V-Lux 40 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Leica V-Lux 40 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer V-Lux 40 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Portrait photography with Sony HX1
36
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no external flash support
low MP (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Street photography with Sony HX1
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than competition in class (210g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
more heavy than competitors in class (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Sports photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Sports photography camera
47
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (210 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low MP (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Travel photography factors
Sony HX1 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition in class (210g)
features touch focus
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (210 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
48
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (544g)
low MP (9MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Landscape photography factors
Sony HX1 Landscape photography factors
42
fairly wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (210 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
39
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica V-Lux 40
Vlogging with Sony HX1
35
fairly wide (24mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic socket
22
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1440 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (544g)
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony HX1
 Leica V-Lux 40Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model type Leica V-Lux 40 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-05-10 2009-04-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 9MP
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 3456 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
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 support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 9.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1440x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 210g (0.46 lbs) 544g (1.20 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 type Battery Pack -
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $699 $47,999