Leica V-Lux 5 vs Leica V-Lux 4

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica V-Lux 5 and the Leica V-Lux 4, 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 4 was introduced in September 2012. 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 4 Highlights

      • 12.1 MP 1/2.33-inch CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
      • 23 Focus Points (23 Cross-type)
      • Image Stabilization
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • 1,312k dot Electronic Viewfinder
      • 12.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • Built-in Flash

      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 4.

      PROS

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      •   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
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 1,312k dot
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Internal Storage
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      •   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
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots


      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 4

      •   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)
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps
      •   Weight - 588 g (1.30 lb / 20.74 oz)

      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 4.

      Leica V-Lux 5 vs Leica V-Lux 4
      Sensor Type BSI-CMOS vs CMOS
      Larger Sensor 1-inch vs 1/2.33-inch
      Higher Sensor Resolution 20.1 Megapixel vs 12.1 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 80 vs 100
      Higher Native ISO 12,500 vs 3,200
      Higher Boosted ISO 25,000 vs 6,400
      Max Image Resolution 5472 x 3648 vs 4000 x 3000
      More Focus Points 49 vs 23
      Touch-to-Focus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Touch Screen vs
      Higher Resolution Screen 1,240k dot vs 460k dot
      Higher Resolution Viewfinder 2,360k dot vs 1,312k dot
      Higher Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Environmental Sealing vs

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

      Advantage of Leica V-Lux 4

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica V-Lux 4 over Leica V-Lux 5.

      Leica V-Lux 5 vs Leica V-Lux 4
      Reachs More Telephoto 400 mm vs 600 mm
      Greater Optical Zoom 16x vs 24x
      Maximum Aperture at Tele End f/4.0 vs f/2.8
      Min Macro Focus Distance 3 cm vs 1 cm
      Image Stabilization vs
      Higher USB Speed USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) vs USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec)
      Lighter 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz) vs 588 g (1.30 lb / 20.74 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 360 shots vs 540 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica V-Lux 4.

      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 4
        Video Capture
        High Native ISO12,5003,200
        Face Detection
        Screen TypeFully ArticulatedFully Articulated
        High Resolution Viewfinder2,360k dot1,312k dot
        Built-in Flash
        HDMI Output Micro Mini
        Built-In Bluetooth
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Leica V-Lux 5 Leica V-Lux 4
        Small Sensor1-inch1/2.33-inch
        Timelapse Recording
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        Short Battery Life360 shots540 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 4 have 3.0" Fully Articulated screens with 1,240k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively. Fully articulated screen makes cameras selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting. 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.

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      Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 4 with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Leica V-Lux 5 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 2,360k dot resolution and Leica V-Lux 4 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 1,312k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage.

      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 4 features a 12.1 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 20.8 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

      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 4 can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1600 x 904, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

      Image Stabilization on Leica V-Lux 4

      Leica V-Lux 4 has an image stabilization.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      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

      Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 4 have 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 inputs for data transfer. Leica V-Lux 5 has a Micro HDMI and Leica V-Lux 4 has a Mini 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 1/4000 sec on Leica V-Lux 4. Cameras can shoot continuously up to 12.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 13.50 m at Auto ISO on Leica V-Lux 5 and 13.50 m on Leica V-Lux 4. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe to Leica V-Lux 5 and via Shoe Mount to Leica V-Lux 4..

      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 4 body has dimensions of 125 x 87 x 110 mm (4.92 x 3.43 x 4.33"). Leica V-Lux 5 weighs 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz) and Leica V-Lux 4 weighs 588 g (1.30 lb / 20.74 oz).

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      137 mm

      97 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      125 mm

      87 mm

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      97 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      87 mm

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      132 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      110 mm

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      Size comparisons of Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 4

      Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 4 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 4

      GOOD
      79
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      POOR
      46
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      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
      GOOD
      72
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 1,312k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      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
      GOOD
      70
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 1,312k dot
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      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
      GOOD
      76
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      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
      81
      •   Small Sensor
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 588 g (1.30 lb / 20.74 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      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
      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 588 g (1.30 lb / 20.74 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Leica V-Lux 5 and Leica V-Lux 4 and give them scores of 74 and 65 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 4

      OVERALL
      74
      OVERALL
      65

      Sensor

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      GOOD
      72
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 20.1 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
      POOR
      49
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12.1 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   3,200 Highest Native ISO

      Photo

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      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
      GOOD
      73
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Continuous Shooting - 12.0 fps

      Video

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      BAD
      39
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   High Video Resolution - 3840 x 2160
      POOR
      46
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080

      Focusing

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      GOOD
      82
      •   49 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      66
      •   23 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      EXCELLENT
      89
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Screen Resolution - 1,240k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 2,360k dot
      GOOD
      79
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 1,312k dot

      Connectivity

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      EXCELLENT
      91
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      GOOD
      84
      •   High USB Speed
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Leica V-Lux 5

      Leica V-Lux 4

      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 360 shots
      POOR
      42
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 588 g (1.30 lb / 20.74 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 540 shots
      •   Internal Storage


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

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