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Leica V-Lux 30

 
Leica V-Lux 30 front
 
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 219g - 105 x 58 x 43mm
  • Released May 2011
  • Read full specs
  • Alternatives
  • Size Comparison
  • FAQ
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40

Leica V-Lux 30 overview

Leica V-Lux 30 is Leica's Small Sensor Superzoom digital camera initially released on May of 2011. The camera features a 14MP, CMOS 1/2.3" size sensor with a maximum resolution of 4320 x 3240.

The V-Lux 30 is positioned #136 out of 244 in Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and all around #703 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to check our Advanced camera filter to find camera results based on your personalized criteria.

Photography Glossary

The following is a diagram of specific criteria used in the scoring system.

Leica V-Lux 30 history

The Leica V-Lux 30 is part of a family of products. You can view the complete list below.

ModelVisualizeLensResolutionSensor SizeReleased
Leica-V-Lux-4 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 4
V-Lux 30 vs V-Lux 4
25-600mm
F2.8
12MP1/2.3"2012
Leica-V-Lux-40 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 40
V-Lux 30 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 30 vs V-Lux 3
25-600mm
F2.8-5.2
12MP1/2.3"2011
Leica-V-Lux-30 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 3024-384mm
F3.3-5.9
14MP1/2.3"2011
Leica-V-Lux-2 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 2
V-Lux 30 vs V-Lux 2
25-600mm
F2.8-5.2
14MP1/2.3"2010
Leica-V-Lux-20 front thumbnailLeica V-Lux 20
V-Lux 30 vs V-Lux 20
25-300mm
F3.3-4.9
12MP1/2.3"2010
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Leica V-Lux 30 Pros and Cons

Here is a collection of positives and negatives of the Leica V-Lux 30 based on criterias that are normally viewed as essential in a digital camera.

built-in flash
comes with HDMI support
comes with tracking autofocus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
good min ISO (80)
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (219g)
long reach (384mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
really wide (24mm)
supports focus via touch
touchscreen functionality
bad battery (260 per charge)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
does not have headphone jack
does not have Time Lapse function
lack of manual focus
max zoom aperture not good (f5.9)
no external flash support
no phase detect AF
no RAW format
pixelated screen (460 thousand dot)
screen does not articulate
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Leica V-Lux 30 Sensor information

The Leica V-Lux 30 houses the Venus Engine FHD chip. The specification of the sensor in the Leica V-Lux 30 is 6.08mm x 4.56mm (1/2.3"). The 28 mm² sensor can resolve 4320 x 3240 pixels with aspect ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The camera has got Image Stabilization (Optical). Optical stabilization is more desirable than digital stabilization as the latter can easily lead to cropping.

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The CMOS sensor boasts 14 megapixels and includes a standard ISO range of 80 - 6400. Sadly, RAW format is not supported so the user has less margin for error.

The image below illustrates the V-Lux 30's sensor size compared to other popular sizes. The V-Lux 30 sensor comes with a crop factor of 5.9 and is showcased in green.

Leica V-Lux 30 sensor size President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

To get an idea of specific aspect ratios, you should refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Leica V-Lux 30 dimensions

Leica V-Lux 30 has a weight of 0.48 lb (219g / 7.73 ounces) and the size of the camera is 105mm x 58mm x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.7"). The weight of normal Small Sensor Superzoom camera is 387g so the Leica V-Lux 30 is lighter compared to other rivals.

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The following is a photo of the Leica V-Lux 30 besides a softdrink to help you to have a sense of its size.

Leica V-Lux 30 dimensions scale

The top view below will show you the button arrangement on the V-Lux 30.

Leica V-Lux 30 topview buttons dials

Leica V-Lux 30 Lens information

The V-Lux 30 has an inbuilt lens giving a focal range of 24-384mm giving it a 16.0 x zoom which is amazing and can enable you to zoom right in.

At it's widest 24mm, the lens provides an aperture of f3.3 which is kind of sluggish and not great in low light events and you will probably find it hard to capture a shallow depth of field. You will also have to boost your ISO setting which results in noisy photos. On the long end, 384mm is excellent zoom and comes with f5.9 which is quite slow and you may have to use slower shutter speeds.

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Leica V-Lux 30 Connectivity

The V-Lux 30 has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • HDMI Yes
  • GPS Yes

Cameras that consist of NFC or Bluetooth connectivity can easily be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You can send files and at times alter camera settings without the hassle of connecting physically with the camera.

Many apps also allow a Liveview and click the shutter whenever you aren't near the camera. If the camera provides a HDMI out, it could be attached to an external display. A lot of cameras will allow you to recharge the battery with the USB port.

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Leica V-Lux 30 Video information

The maximum video quality in the Leica V-Lux 30 is 1920 x 1080 and it can save in MPEG-4 and AVCHD file format. 1080p quality is an excellent balance in video quality vs file size but FULL HD isn't going to leave you with much room to crop. The body doesn't feature a mic or headphone jack so you have got zero control over your sound. It is perhaps a better idea to have a look at an alternative camera should you need decent sound in your videos.

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Leica V-Lux 30 Weather Sealing

Leica V-Lux 30 doesn't have weather sealing so rainy conditions may damage the camera.

Leica V-Lux 30 Screen and Viewfinder

The Leica V-Lux 30 features a 3 inch fixed display with a resolution of 460 thousand dots.

Moreover the display is touch friendly so you can easily change focus point plus change settings with your finger.

Leica V-Lux 30 screen and viewfinder Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The ViewFinder specs regarding Leica V-Lux 30 are the following:

  • ViewFinder None

Viewfinders can be really helpful in bright outdoor conditions which may make the camera screen washed out and difficult to view.

Leica V-Lux 30 Shutter information

Leica V-Lux 30 continuous shooting speed is 10.0 frames/s. The highest shutter speed is 1/4000 seconds.

Photography Glossary

Leica V-Lux 30 Flash and Hot shoe information

Leica V-Lux 30 has got just built in flash without external flash ability.

Leica V-Lux 30 Autofocusing information

Leica V-Lux 30 has got only Contrast Based Auto Focus and doesn't have Phase Detect Auto Focus. Phase Detection focusing is a lot more faster & exact compared to Contrast Based focusing.

It features 11 focus points to pick from. Leica V-Lux 30 has touch to focus. You can easily use your fingers in order to switch where you focus. It also boasts Tracking Auto Focus for moving subjects. Leica V-Lux 30 has no manual focusing. Manual focusing mode is good in low light conditions or you want more precise depth of field control.

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Leica V-Lux 30 Battery life

The battery in the Leica V-Lux 30 is made to last for 260 images as per the CIPA measurements making it lower as compared to its rivals. The general Small Sensor Superzoom camera battery life is 316. Fujifilm HS35EXR comes with the highest possible (600) battery life in this category of cameras.

Listed below is a collection of Small Sensor Superzoom cameras with the highest battery life:

Leica V-Lux 30 for varying types of photography

The following illustration indicates a overview of the Leica V-Lux 30 for varying types of photography. To find out more, go to the specific paragraph below.

Leica V-Lux 30 as a Portrait photography camera

The Leica V-Lux 30 receives a score of 30 which is dreadful, and means the camera is not really acceptable for portraits. Shooting portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor dimensions, RAW support along with the capability to use external flash.

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good resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support

Street photography with Leica V-Lux 30

Coming in at a above average points total of 64, the Leica V-Lux 30 is a very decent option for street photography. A good street photography camera provides a good balance of image quality and portability.

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image stabilization (Optical)
supports touch focus
lighter than competition (219g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format

Leica V-Lux 30 Sports photography info

A modest sports photography points tally of 47 indicates the Leica V-Lux 30 is somewhat suited for taking photos of sports. A camera needs excellent tracking and shutter speeds for sports photography.

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long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (260 shots)
has no phase detect AF

Leica V-Lux 30 Travel photography information

Portability is pretty crucial when picking a travel camera. Overall, the Leica V-Lux 30 gets a above average 67 as a travelling camera which is a very decent pick for your journeys.

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lighter than competitors (219 grams)
supports focus via touch
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low battery pack (260 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)

Leica V-Lux 30 Landscape photography factors

When you're looking to pick a digital camera for landscape photos, the most essential factor is going to be image quality. The Leica V-Lux 30 with it's dreadful grade of 41 for a landscape camera is not really acceptable in the current marketplace.

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really wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery pack (260 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording

Leica V-Lux 30 Vlogging factors

A vlogging camera should really posses a moving display screen, mic input and preferably IBIS. Considering all things, the Leica V-Lux 30 is not really acceptable as a vlog camera as it delivers a dreadful rating of 34.

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pretty wide (24mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (219 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support

Leica V-Lux 30 Alternatives

If you need replacements to the V-Lux 30, below is a collection of the top scored cameras which fall within the class of Small Sensor Superzoom.

The line chart down below gives you a summary of the V-Lux 30 versus it's highest rated competitors shown previously.

Following are additional cameras you might view as alternate options. To read through a comprehensive comparison, simply click on the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Manufacturer
Leica
Model type
Leica V-Lux 30
Category
Small Sensor Superzoom
Released
2011-05-26
Body design
Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Powered by
Venus Engine FHD
Sensor size
1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions
6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area
27.7mm²
Sensor resolution
14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution
4320 x 3240
RAW support
Highest native ISO
6400
Lowest native ISO
80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points
11
Lens
Lens mount type
fixed lens
Lens zoom range
24-384mm (16.0x)
Highest aperture
f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance
3cm
Crop factor
5.9
Screen
Screen type
Fixed Type
Screen diagonal
3 inch
Screen resolution
460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type
None
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
60s
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed
10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation
Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance
5.00 m
Flash options
Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution
1920x1080
Video data format
MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless
None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
219g (0.48 lb)
Dimensions
105 x 58 x 43mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.7")
Other
Battery life
260 photos
Battery format
Battery Pack
Self timer
Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage
SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots
One
Pricing at launch
$900