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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
48
Overall
42
Leica V-Lux 40 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 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
  • Released May 2012
Sony W290
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 57 x 23mm
  • Announced February 2009
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 Overview

The following is a in-depth analysis of the Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony W290, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Leica and Sony. The resolution of the V-Lux 40 (14MP) and the W290 (12MP) is fairly similar and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The V-Lux 40 was unveiled 3 years after the W290 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the V-Lux 40 scores versus the W290 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica V-Lux 40 over the Sony W290

 V-Lux 40 W290 
AnnouncedMay 2012February 2009Newer by 40 months
Display resolution461k230kClearer display (+231k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony W290 over the Leica V-Lux 40

 W290 V-Lux 40 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony W290

 V-Lux 40 W290 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider 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") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Sony W290 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Compare the Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony W290 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the V-Lux 40 and the W290.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the V-Lux 40 and W290 is 92 and 94 respectively.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 top view buttons comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading specs. The image underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the V-Lux 40 and W290.

All in all, both cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Leica V-Lux 40 to deliver extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The newer V-Lux 40 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 sensor size comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W290 as a Portrait photography camera
36
good resolution (14MP)
has face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Street photography advice
Sony W290 Street photography advice
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
lighter than competition (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Sports photography camera
Sony W290 as a Sports photography camera
47
amazing zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (210 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 40
Travel photography with Sony W290
68
lighter than competition (210 grams)
comes with touch to focus
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (210 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W290 as a Landscape photography camera
42
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
low battery pack (210 shots)
no Timelapse function
41
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica V-Lux 40 Vlogging advice
Sony W290 Vlogging advice
35
decently wide (24mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
no external microphone port
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Leica V-Lux 40 vs Sony W290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica V-Lux 40 and Sony W290
 Leica V-Lux 40Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica V-Lux 40 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W290
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Released 2012-05-10 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210 gr (0.46 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 210 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $699 $230