A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Leica V-LUX 2 vs V-LUX 1

The Leica V-LUX 2 and the Leica V-LUX 1 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in September 2010 and September 2006. Both the V-LUX 2 and the V-LUX 1 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on a 1/2.3-inch (V-LUX 2) and a 1/1.8-inch (V-LUX 1) sensor. The V-LUX 2 has a resolution of 14 megapixels, whereas the V-LUX 1 provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Leica V-LUX 2
versus
Leica V-LUX 1
Leica V-LUX 2   Leica V-LUX 1
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 35-420mm f/2.8-3.7
14 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 10 MP – 1/1.8" sensor
1080/60i Video 480/30p Video
ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 6,400) ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 3,200)
Electronic viewfinder (202k dots) Electronic viewfinder (235k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 2.0" LCD – 207k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
11 shutter flaps per second 2 shutter flaps per second
410 shots per battery charge360 shots per battery charge
124 x 80 x 95 mm, 520 g 141 x 86 x 142 mm, 734 g
logo
Check V-LUX 2 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check V-LUX 1 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica V-LUX 2 and the Leica V-LUX 1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica V-LUX 2 and the Leica V-LUX 1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica V-LUX 2 vs Leica V-LUX 1
Compare V-LUX 2 versus V-LUX 1 top
Comparison V-LUX 2 or V-LUX 1 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica V-LUX 1 is notably larger (22 percent) than the Leica V-LUX 2. Moreover, the V-LUX 1 is substantially heavier (41 percent) than the V-LUX 2. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the V-LUX 2 nor the V-LUX 1 are weather-sealed.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica V-LUX 2 124 mm 80 mm 95 mm 520 g 410 n Sep 2010 849ebay.com
2.
 
Leica V-LUX 1 141 mm 86 mm 142 mm 734 g 360 n Sep 2006 849ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 116 mm 74 mm 66 mm 553 g 240 n Feb 2014 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX40 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 600 g 380 n Sep 2011 429ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX30 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 601 g 370 n Sep 2010 429ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX20 123 mm 88 mm 87 mm 600 g .. n Aug 2009 399ebay.com
7.
 
Leica X Typ 113 133 mm 73 mm 78 mm 486 g 350 n Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6 111 mm 68 mm 46 mm 298 g 330 n Sep 2012 699ebay.com
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4 125 mm 87 mm 110 mm 588 g 540 n Sep 2012 949ebay.com
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 3 124 mm 81 mm 95 mm 540 g 410 n Dec 2011 949ebay.com
11.
 
Leica D-LUX 5 110 mm 65 mm 43 mm 271 g 400 n Sep 2010 699ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D80 132 mm 103 mm 77 mm 668 g 600 n Aug 2006 999ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 528 g 410 n Aug 2011 499ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic FZ100 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 540 g 410 n Jul 2010 499ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica V-LUX 2 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and the Leica V-LUX 1 a 1/1.8-inch sensor. The sensor area in the V-LUX 1 is 36 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 5.6 and 4.8. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Leica V-LUX 2 and Leica V-LUX 1 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Leica V-LUX 2 offers a higher resolution of 14 megapixels, compared with 10 MP of the Leica V-LUX 1. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.41μm versus 1.95μm for the V-LUX 1). However, it should be noted that the V-LUX 2 is much more recent (by 4 years) than the V-LUX 1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica V-LUX 2 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the V-LUX 2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 21.6 x 16.2 inches or 54.9 x 41.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 14.4 x 10.8 inches or 36.6 x 27.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica V-LUX 1 are 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm for good quality, 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica V-LUX 2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica V-LUX 1 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-3200.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

V-LUX 2 versus V-LUX 1 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica V-LUX 2 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.732139
2.
 
Leica V-LUX 1 1/1.8 10.0 3648 2736480/30p18.49.5-72729
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 1.5-inch 13.0 4160 31201080/30p21.510.858158
4.
 
Canon SX40 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.610.940941
5.
 
Canon SX30 1/2.3 14.0 4320 3240720/30p19.410.732039
6.
 
Canon SX20 1/2.3 12.0 4000 3000720/30p19.210.522537
7.
 
Leica X Typ 113 APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.612.8149178
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p19.810.8-30343
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.811.150143
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 3 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.711.043042
11.
 
Leica D-LUX 5 1/1.7 10.0 3648 2736720/60p19.510.4-58339
12.
 
Nikon D80 APS-C 10.0 3872 2592none22.111.252461
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.410.913240
14.
 
Panasonic FZ100 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.730639
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the V-LUX 2 provides a higher video resolution than the V-LUX 1. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60i, while the V-LUX 1 is limited to 480/30p.

ad

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the V-LUX 1 offers a higher resolution than the one in the V-LUX 2 (235k vs 202k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica V-LUX 2 and Leica V-LUX 1 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica V-LUX 2202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Leica V-LUX 1235 n2.0 / 207 tilting n 1/2000s 2.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 5.2/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon SX40202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 10.3/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX30202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.6/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon SX20202 n2.5 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.7/s Y Y
7.
 
Leica X Typ 113optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 41312 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 3202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 12.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Leica D-LUX 5optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y Y
12.
 
Nikon D80optical n2.5 / 230 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 12.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Panasonic FZ100202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding
Both cameras have an articulated rear screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This feature will be particularly appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies.

Both the V-LUX 2 and the V-LUX 1 have zoom lenses built in. The V-LUX 2 has a 25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 optic and the V-LUX 1 offers a 35-420mm f/2.8-3.7 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the V-LUX 2 provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the V-LUX 1. Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

The V-LUX 2 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the V-LUX 1 uses SDHC cards.

ad

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica V-LUX 2 and Leica V-LUX 1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica V-LUX 2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
2.
 
Leica V-LUX 1Ymono / mono---2.0---
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon SX40Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
5.
 
Canon SX30Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
6.
 
Canon SX20Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
7.
 
Leica X Typ 113Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
11.
 
Leica D-LUX 5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Nikon D80Y- / ----2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
14.
 
Panasonic FZ100Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
padding

Both the V-LUX 2 and the V-LUX 1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The V-LUX 1 was replaced by the Leica V-LUX 2, while the V-LUX 2 was followed by the Leica V-LUX 3. Further information on the features and operation of the V-LUX 2 and V-LUX 1 can be found, respectively, in the Leica V-LUX 2 Manual (free pdf) or the online Leica V-LUX 1 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Leica V-LUX 2 or the Leica V-LUX 1 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.


Advantages of the Leica V-LUX 2:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (14 vs 10MP) with a 18% higher linear resolution.
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60i vs 480/30p).
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (460k vs 207k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • More compact: Is smaller (124x80mm vs 141x86mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 214g or 29 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (410 versus 360) on a single battery charge.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years of technical progress since the V-LUX 1 launch.


Arguments in favor of the Leica V-LUX 1:

  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (235k vs 202k dots).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in September 2006).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the V-LUX 2 is the clear winner of the match-up (12 : 2 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

V-LUX 2 12:02 V-LUX 1

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica V-LUX 2 and the Leica V-LUX 1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Superzoom Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the V-LUX 2 or the V-LUX 1 perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica V-LUX 2............ Sep 2010 849ebay.com
2.
 
Leica V-LUX 1............ Sep 2006 849ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II3/5+..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2014 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon SX40..+....4.5/54/5 Sep 2011 429ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX303/5+ +....3.5/54/5 Sep 2010 429ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX20..+ +..73/100..4/5 Aug 2009 399ebay.com
7.
 
Leica X Typ 1133.5/5......3.5/54/5 Sep 2014 2,295ebay.com
8.
 
Leica D-LUX 6........4/54/5 Sep 2012 699ebay.com
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4............ Sep 2012 949ebay.com
10.
 
Leica V-LUX 3............ Dec 2011 949ebay.com
11.
 
Leica D-LUX 5........4.5/54/5 Sep 2010 699ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D80..+..+ +o4.5/5 Aug 2006 999ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic FZ1503/5+ +..76/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2011 499ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic FZ100..+....4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2010 499ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

logo
Check V-LUX 2 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check V-LUX 1 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Leica V-LUX 2 vs Leica V-LUX 1

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica V-LUX 2 Leica V-LUX 1
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 35-420mm f/2.8-3.7
    Launch Date September 2010 September 2006
    Launch Price USD 849 USD 849
    Sensor Specs Leica V-LUX 2 Leica V-LUX 1
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/1.8" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 7.14 x 5.36 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 38.2704 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 8.9 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 4.8x
    Sensor Resolution 14 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4320 x 3240 pixels 3648 x 2736 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.41 μm 1.95 μm
    Pixel Density 49.86 MP/cm2 26.08 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60i Video 480/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 3,200 ISO
    Screen Specs Leica V-LUX 2 Leica V-LUX 1
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 202k dots 235k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 207k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Tilting screen
    Shooting Specs Leica V-LUX 2 Leica V-LUX 1
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s 2 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Leica V-LUX 2 Leica V-LUX 1
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Leica V-LUX 2 Leica V-LUX 1
    Battery Type Leica BP-DC9 Leica BP-DC5
    Battery Life (CIPA)410 shots per charge360 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 124 x 80 x 95 mm
    (4.9 x 3.1 x 3.7 in)
    141 x 86 x 142 mm
    (5.6 x 3.4 x 5.6 in)
    Camera Weight 520 g (18.3 oz) 734 g (25.9 oz)
    logo
    Check V-LUX 2 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check V-LUX 1 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Leica V-LUX 2 vs Leica V-LUX 1