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Leica V-Lux 20

 
Leica V-Lux 20 front
 
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced April 2010
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34

Leica V-Lux 20 summary

Leica V-Lux 20 is Leica's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera originally revealed on April of 2010. It houses a 12 MegaPixel, CCD 1/2.3" sized sensor and has a full resolution of 4000 x 3000.

The V-Lux 20 is scored #223 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and over-all #980 out of 1465 for digital cameras in our collection. Please try out our Advanced camera filter to get camera ratings based on your personal criteria.

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Here is a graph of specific factors used in the rating system.

Leica V-Lux 20 history

The Leica V-Lux 20 is part of a family of digital cameras. You can see the complete range below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Leica-V-Lux-4 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 4
V-Lux 20 vs V-Lux 4
25-600mm
F2.8
12MP1/2.3"2012
Leica-V-Lux-40 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 40
V-Lux 20 vs V-Lux 40
24-480mm
F3.3-6.4
14MP1/2.3"2012
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Leica-V-Lux-3 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 3
V-Lux 20 vs V-Lux 3
25-600mm
F2.8-5.2
12MP1/2.3"2011
Leica-V-Lux-30 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 30
V-Lux 20 vs V-Lux 30
24-384mm
F3.3-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Leica-V-Lux-2 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 2
V-Lux 20 vs V-Lux 2
25-600mm
F2.8-5.2
14MP1/2.3"2010
Leica-V-Lux-20 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 2025-300mm
F3.3-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 20 Pros and Cons

Below is a list of positives and negatives of the Leica V-Lux 20 based on criterias that are often regarded as important in a digital camera.

comes with HDMI out
flash built-in
good zoom range (25-300mm 12.0 x zoom)
great minimum ISO (80)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218 grams)
nice screen size (3 inch)
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
cannot use external flash
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
doesn't have external microphone support
doesn't have headphone support
doesn't have phase detect AF
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
manual focus not available
max zoom aperture not good (f4.9)
pixelated screen (461 k dots)
screen does not articulate
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Leica V-Lux 20 Sensor info

The dimension of the sensor on the Leica V-Lux 20 is 6.08mm x 4.56mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor is able to capture 4000 x 3000 pixels at aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Optical). In body stabilization is more effective than digital stabilization since the latter can easily lead to cropping.

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The CCD sensor boasts 12MP and delivers a standard ISO range of 80 to 6400. Sadly, RAW photos are not supported so the user has less room to maneuver in post.

The picture below shows the V-Lux 20's sensor dimensions in comparison to other popular sizes. The V-Lux 20 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.9 and is showcased in green.

Leica V-Lux 20 sensor size Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

To get a sense of various aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Leica V-Lux 20 dimensions

Leica V-Lux 20 has a weight of 0.48 lbs (218g or 7.69 ounces) and features outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3"). The weight of average Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387g and the Leica V-Lux 20 is less heavy compared with various competitors.

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Listed below is a visual of the Leica V-Lux 20 besides a soda so you can have a sense of its scale.

Leica V-Lux 20 dimensions scale

The top view here will highlight the button layout on the V-Lux 20.

Leica V-Lux 20 topview buttons dials

Leica V-Lux 20 Lens info

The V-Lux 20 provides a built-in lens and a focal range of 25-300mm giving it a 12.0 x zoom which isn't really great nevertheless it will definitely be valuable in a few circumstances.

At the widest 25mm, it provides an aperture of f3.3 and that is quite slow and not the best in low light situations and you will probably struggle to capture good bokeh. You will probably also need to raise the ISO which results in noisy shots. For the tele end, 300mm is superb zoom and comes to f4.9 which is really slow and you may need to go with slower shutter speeds.

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Leica V-Lux 20 Connectivity

The V-Lux 20 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes
  • GPS Yes

Digital cameras that consist of NFC or Bluetooth support can easily be used wirelessly with smartphones. You are able to copy images and at times adjust settings without connecting straight to the camera.

Certain applications even give a Liveview and release the shutter if you are not near the camera. If the camera includes a HDMI out, it could be connected to an external display. Nearly all cameras will allow you to recharge the battery pack using the USB port.

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Leica V-Lux 20 Video info

The highest possible video resolution on the Leica V-Lux 20 is 1280 x 720 and it can capture in Motion JPEG file format. 720p is terrible by today's requirements. You should shoot for a minimum FUll HD resolution for good video. The camera does not offer a mic or headphone socket so you get no control over your sound. It is perhaps a better idea to consider an alternative camera in case you want decent sound in your videos.

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Leica V-Lux 20 Weather Sealing

Leica V-Lux 20 does not include environment sealing so rainy conditions can easily ruin the camera.

Leica V-Lux 20 Screen and Viewfinder

The Leica V-Lux 20 is equipped with a 3" fixed display boasting a resolution of 461k dots.

Sadly the display isn't a touch screen.

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The View Finder details regarding Leica V-Lux 20 are below:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders can be pretty beneficial for bright outdoor situations which will make the camera screen washed out and very difficult to view.

Leica V-Lux 20 Shutter info

Leica V-Lux 20 continuous shooting speed is 2.0 fps. The max shutter speed is 1/2000 seconds.

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Leica V-Lux 20 Flash and Hot shoe info

Leica V-Lux 20 has got only integrated flash with missing external flash support.

Leica V-Lux 20 Autofocusing info

Leica V-Lux 20 has got just Contrast Based Autofocus and doesn't have Phase Detect Autofocus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot more quicker and exact compared with Contrast Based focusing.

The AF system supports 11 focus points to pick from. Leica V-Lux 20 lacks manual focusing. Manual focusing can be useful for low light situations or you require more exact control on focusing.

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Leica V-Lux 20 Battery life

The average Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR comes with the best (600) battery life for this range of cameras.

Underneath is a number of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras that come with the best battery life:

Leica V-Lux 20 for varying types of photography

The following bar chart shows a rundown of the Leica V-Lux 20 for varying types of photography. To read more, go to the specific paragraph below.

Leica V-Lux 20 Portrait photography details

The Leica V-Lux 20 receives a points total of 21 which is low, meaning that it is not really very good to use for portrait photography. Taking portraits leans heavily to sensor resolution, RAW support plus the flexibility to use external lighting.

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no manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support

Leica V-Lux 20 Street photography information

With a modest score of 60, the Leica V-Lux 20 is relatively suitable to use in street photography. A decent street photography camera comes with a perfect balance of image quality and portability.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support

Leica V-Lux 20 Sports photography advice

A low sports photography points total of 27 suggests the Leica V-Lux 20 is not really very good for photographing sports. A camera needs excellent autofocus plus fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

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built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF

Travel photography with Leica V-Lux 20

Size is super important when choosing a camera for travel. All things considered, the Leica V-Lux 20 gets a nice 63 as a travel camera which is a fine fit to purchase for your holidays.

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lighter than competitors (218g)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)

Leica V-Lux 20 Landscape photography highlights

If you're looking to purchase a camera for landscape photos, the most critical aspect will no doubt be image quality. The Leica V-Lux 20 and it's low score of 38 as a landscape camera is not really very good within the current market.

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decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording

Leica V-Lux 20 Vlogging information

A camera for vlogging should posses a articulating display screen, microphone input and preferably IBIS. Taking everything in to account, the Leica V-Lux 20 is not really very good for vlogging as it delivers a low score of 30.

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fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (218 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support

Leica V-Lux 20 Alternatives

If you want alternatives to the V-Lux 20, below is a selection of the highest ranked cameras that fall within the class of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The line graph here provides you an overview of the V-Lux 20 compared to it's top scoring competitors listed above.

Following are several cameras you may look into as alternative options. To read a thorough comparison, just click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Make
Leica
Model type
Leica V-Lux 20
Class
Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced
2010-04-20
Physical type
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CCD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor measurements
6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area
27.7mm²
Sensor resolution
12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution
4000 x 3000
RAW pictures
Highest native ISO
6400
Min native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points
11
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
25-300mm (12.0x)
Largest aperture
f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing distance
3cm
Focal length multiplier
5.9
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen size
3 inch
Screen resolution
461k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
None
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Minimum shutter speed
60 secs
Fastest shutter speed
1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate
2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation
Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance
5.30 m
Flash modes
Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions
1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution
1280x720
Video file format
Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
218g (0.48 pounds)
Dimensions
103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
Other
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type
SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots
Single
Launch price
$779