• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 70.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Leica V-LUX 4 advantages over Leica X Vario

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 350 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica X Vario advantages over Leica V-LUX 4

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.77 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica X Vario

Review Excerpt

  • Outstanding design and build; Exceptionally sharp 28-70mm equivalent zoom lens; Very good still image quality with accurate and realistic colors; Fairly speedy and accurate autofocusing.

  • Expensive, especially for a fixed-lens compact; Relatively slow f/3.5-6.4 lens; Below average video functionality and quality; Not at all pocketable, about as big and heavy as a mirrorless camera with a moderate zoom lens attached.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Leica V-LUX 4
Panasonic FZ150
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
Leica X Vario
Panasonic FZ150
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Leica V-LUX 3

Leica V-LUX 4
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
Leica X Vario
Leica V-LUX 3
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Leica V-LUX 4
Panasonic FZ200
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Headphone jack
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
Leica X Vario
Panasonic FZ200
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sigma dp2 Quattro

Leica V-LUX 4
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp2 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sigma dp0 Quattro

Leica V-LUX 4
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Leica X Vario
Sigma dp0 Quattro
  • $2950
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
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