Leica V-Lux 5 vs Leica V-Lux 20

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica V-Lux 5 and the Leica V-Lux 20, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

      Leica V-Lux 5 was introduced in January 2020 and Leica V-Lux 20 was introduced in April 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Leica V-Lux 5 Highlights

      • 20.1 MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS Sensor
      • 80 - 12,500 Native ISO
      • 49 Focus Points
      • 3.0" 1,240k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • 2,360k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 12.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 3840 x 2160 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-In Wi-Fi
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Leica V-Lux 20 Highlights

      • 12.1 MP 1/2.33-inch CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 11 Focus Points
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 461k dot Fixed Screen
      • 2.3 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash
      • Built-in GPS

      Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 20.

      PROS

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 2,360k dot
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   USB Charging
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   Light - 218 g (0.48 lb / 7.69 oz)
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Short Battery Life - 360 shots
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      •   Price
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   49 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/16000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"

      Advantage of Leica V-Lux 5

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica V-Lux 5 over Leica V-Lux 20.

      Leica V-Lux 5 vs Leica V-Lux 20
      Larger Sensor 1-inch vs 1/2.33-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 20.1 Megapixel vs 12.1 Megapixel
      Higher Native ISO 12,500 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 5472 x 3648 vs 4000 x 3000
      RAW Support vs
      More Focus Points 49 vs 11
      Touch-to-Focus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Continuous Autofocus vs
      Face Detection vs
      Reachs More Telephoto 400 mm vs 300 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 16x vs 12x
      Maximum Aperture at Wide End f/2.8 vs f/3.3
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/4.0 vs f/4.9
      Min Normal Focus Distance 30 cm vs 50 cm
      Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Fixed
      Touch Screen vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,240k dot vs 461k dot
      Viewfinder Electronic vs
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/4000 sec vs 1/2000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 12.0 fps vs 2.3 fps
      External Flash Connectivity vs
      Higher Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 vs 1280 x 720
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Microphone Input vs
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Built-In Bluetooth vs
      Environmental Sealing vs

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica V-Lux 5.

      Advantage of Leica V-Lux 20

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica V-Lux 20 over Leica V-Lux 5.

      Leica V-Lux 5 vs Leica V-Lux 20
      Image Stabilization vs
      Built-in GPS vs
      Lighter 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz) vs 218 g (0.48 lb / 7.69 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica V-Lux 20.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

      STRENGTHS Leica V-Lux 5 Leica V-Lux 20
        Video Capture
        Low Native ISO8080
        High Native ISO12,5006,400
        Live View Autofocus
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Micro
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Leica V-Lux 5 Leica V-Lux 20
        Small Sensor1-inch1/2.33-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        No Headphone Output

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 20 have 3.0" screens with 1,240k dot and 461k dot resolutions respectively. Leica V-Lux 5 has a Fully Articulated screen which makes it selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting. Leica V-Lux 20 has a Fixed screen Leica V-Lux 5 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

      Image cannot be displayed

      Leica V-Lux 5 with Fully Articulated screen


      Electronic Viewfinder on Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 5 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dot resolution. It has a 100% coverage. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Leica V-Lux 20.

      Sensor

      Leica V-Lux 5 features a 20.1 megapixel 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 116.2 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 12,500 and expands to 80 - 25,000 in boosted mode. Leica V-Lux 20 features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 20.8 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 6,400.

      Leica V-Lux 5 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

      Photography Features

      Leica V-Lux 5 can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. Leica V-Lux 20 can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4176 x 2784 4320 x 2432, 3264 x 2448, 3392 x 2264, 3552 x 2000, 2560 x 1920, 2656 x 1768, 2784 x 1568, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 640 x 424, 640 x 360 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Leica V-Lux 20

      Leica V-Lux 20 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in GPS on Leica V-Lux 20

      Leica V-Lux 20 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.


      Built-in Wi-Fi on Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 5 has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


      Bluetooth on Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 5 has a built-in Bluetooth which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

      Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Leica V-Lux 5 has a Micro HDMI and Leica V-Lux 20 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.


      Battery

      Leica V-Lux 5 comes with BP-DC12 battery pack with battery life of 360 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Cameras have a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/4000 sec with mechanical shutter on Leica V-Lux 5, and up to 1/2000 sec on Leica V-Lux 20. Leica V-Lux 5 can shoot continuously up to 12.0 fps. Leica V-Lux 20 can shoot continuously up to 2.3 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 13.50 m at Auto ISO on Leica V-Lux 5 and 5.30 m on Leica V-Lux 20. Leica V-Lux 5 also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe..

      Physical Parameters

      Leica V-Lux 5 body has dimensions of 137 x 97 x 132 mm (5.39 x 3.82 x 5.2") and Leica V-Lux 20 body has dimensions of 103 x 60 x 33 mm (4.06 x 2.36 x 1.3"). Leica V-Lux 5 weighs 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz) and Leica V-Lux 20 weighs 218 g (0.48 lb / 7.69 oz).

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      137 mm

      97 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      103 mm

      60 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      97 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      60 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      132 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      33 mm

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      Size comparisons of Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 20

      Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 20 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      79
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      77
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   49 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 2,360k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 360 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      74
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      •   49 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 2,360k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 360 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   49 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No External Flash Connectivity
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      83
      •   Small Sensor
      •   49 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 218 g (0.48 lb / 7.69 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      81
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 360 shots
      EXCELLENT
      89
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 218 g (0.48 lb / 7.69 oz)

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 20 and give them scores of 74 and 54 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      OVERALL
      74
      OVERALL
      54

      Sensor

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      72
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      AVERAGE
      60
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/16000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps
      AVERAGE
      59
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/2000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 2.3 fps
      •   No External Flash Connectivity

      Video

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      BAD
      39
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      POOR
      43
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      GOOD
      82
      •   49 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   11 Focus Points
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      EXCELLENT
      89
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 2,360k dot
      POOR
      53
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 461k dot
      •   No Viewfinder

      Connectivity

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      EXCELLENT
      91
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      62
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 20

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 360 shots
      POOR
      48
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 218 g (0.48 lb / 7.69 oz)
      •   Internal Storage


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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