• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 33.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FS3 advantages over Leica V-LUX 40

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $699 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.76 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    140g vs 210g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Leica V-LUX 40 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FS3

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.33 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 33 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • Manual focus
    Neither provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NV30

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Samsung NV30
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Wider angle lens
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS3 vs Samsung NV30

Leica V-LUX 40
Samsung NV30
  • $1300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $279
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 40 vs Samsung NV30

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Sony DSC-S780
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS3 vs Sony DSC-S780

Leica V-LUX 40
Sony DSC-S780
  • $1300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 40 vs Sony DSC-S780

Compared to Canon SD1100 IS

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS3 vs Canon SD1100 IS

Leica V-LUX 40
Canon SD1100 IS
  • $1300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $250
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica V-LUX 40 vs Canon SD1100 IS

Compared to Leica V-LUX 30

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Leica V-LUX 30
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $1300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS3 vs Leica V-LUX 30

Leica V-LUX 40
Leica V-LUX 30
  • $1300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Leica V-LUX 40 vs Leica V-LUX 30

Compared to Panasonic ZS25

Panasonic DMC-FS3
Panasonic ZS25
  • $200
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic DMC-FS3 vs Panasonic ZS25

Leica V-LUX 40
Panasonic ZS25
  • $1300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $470
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer exposure

Compare Leica V-LUX 40 vs Panasonic ZS25

Compare Other Cameras?