• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 125.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FX500 advantages over Leica V-LUX 2

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.68 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    176g vs 520g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica V-LUX 2 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FX500

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 125 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD880 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Canon SD880 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Leica V-LUX 2
Canon SD880 IS
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More pixels
Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Canon SD980 IS
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Leica V-LUX 2
Canon SD980 IS
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic DMC-FZ100
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Panasonic DMC-FX500
Panasonic FZ150
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Leica V-LUX 2
Panasonic FZ150
  • $850
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More pixels
  • Longer exposure
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
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