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Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ100

The Leica V-LUX 3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in December 2011 and July 2010. Both the V-LUX 3 and the FZ100 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 12 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 14 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 3
versus
Panasonic FZ100
Leica V-LUX 3   Panasonic FZ100
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 25-600mm f/2.8-5.2
12 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 14 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
1080/60p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-3,200 (100 - 6,400) ISO 100-1,600 (100 - 6,400)
Electronic viewfinder (202k dots) Electronic viewfinder (202k dots)
3.0" LCD – 460k dots 3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive) Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
12 shutter flaps per second 11 shutter flaps per second
410 shots per battery charge410 shots per battery charge
124 x 81 x 95 mm, 540 g 124 x 82 x 92 mm, 540 g
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Check FZ100 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica V-LUX 3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100? 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica V-LUX 3 and the Panasonic FZ100 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 3 vs Panasonic FZ100
Compare V-LUX 3 versus FZ100 top
Comparison V-LUX 3 or FZ100 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic FZ100 is somewhat larger (1 percent) than the Leica V-LUX 3. In terms of weight, the two cameras are very close. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the V-LUX 3 nor the FZ100 are weather-sealed.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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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 3 124 mm 81 mm 95 mm 540 g 410 n Dec 2011 949ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic FZ100 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 540 g 410 n Jul 2010 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 116 mm 74 mm 66 mm 553 g 240 n Feb 2014 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X 117 mm 81 mm 65 mm 534 g 250 n Jan 2012 799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX50 123 mm 87 mm 106 mm 595 g 315 n Sep 2012 429ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX40 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 600 g 380 n Sep 2011 429ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX30 123 mm 92 mm 108 mm 601 g 370 n Sep 2010 429ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X100 126 mm 75 mm 54 mm 445 g 300 n Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4 125 mm 87 mm 110 mm 588 g 540 n Sep 2012 949ebay.com
10.
 
Leica D-LUX 5 110 mm 65 mm 43 mm 271 g 400 n Sep 2010 699ebay.com
11.
 
Leica V-LUX 2 124 mm 80 mm 95 mm 520 g 410 n Sep 2010 849ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic FZ200 125 mm 87 mm 110 mm 588 g 540 n Jul 2012 599ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 528 g 410 n Aug 2011 499ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G3 115 mm 84 mm 47 mm 336 g 270 n May 2011 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The FZ100 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 47 percent) than the V-LUX 3, which puts it into a different 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 sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Leica V-LUX 3 and Panasonic FZ100 sensor measures

While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the FZ100 offers a higher resolution of 14 megapixels, compared with 12 MP of the V-LUX 3. This megapixels advantage translates into a 8 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the FZ100 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 1.41μm versus 1.53μm for the V-LUX 3). Moreover, it should be noted, that the V-LUX 3 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 4 months) than the FZ100, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of individual pixels. 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 Panasonic FZ100 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the FZ100 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 3 are 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm for good quality, 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm for very good quality, and 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica V-LUX 3 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 100-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.

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 3 versus FZ100 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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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 3 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.711.043042
2.
 
Panasonic FZ100 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.730639
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 1.5-inch 13.0 4160 31201080/30p21.510.858158
4.
 
Canon G1 X 1.5-inch 14.2 4352 32641080/24p21.710.864460
5.
 
Canon SX50 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p20.311.217947
6.
 
Canon SX40 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/24p19.610.940941
7.
 
Canon SX30 1/2.3 14.0 4320 3240720/30p19.410.732039
8.
 
Fujifilm X100 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/30p22.912.4100173
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.811.150143
10.
 
Leica D-LUX 5 1/1.7 10.0 3648 2736720/60p19.510.4-58339
11.
 
Leica V-LUX 2 1/2.3 14.0 4320 32401080/60i19.410.732139
12.
 
Panasonic FZ200 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.110.811437
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.410.913240
14.
 
Panasonic G3 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60i21.010.666756
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the V-LUX 3 provides a higher frame rate than the FZ100. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Panasonic is limited to 1080/60i.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The V-LUX 3 and the FZ100 are similar in the sense that both feature an electronic viewfinder, which is helpful when framing images in bright sunlight. Moreover, their viewfinders offer an identical resolution of 202k dots. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica V-LUX 3 and Panasonic FZ100 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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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 3202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 12.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Panasonic FZ100202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 5.2/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G1 Xoptical n3.0 / 922 swivel n 1/4000s 1.9/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX50202 n3.0 / 461 swivel n 1/2000s 2.2/s Y Y
6.
 
Canon SX40202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 10.3/s Y Y
7.
 
Canon SX30202 n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/3200s 0.6/s Y Y
8.
 
Fujifilm X1001440 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 41312 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Leica D-LUX 5optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y Y
11.
 
Leica V-LUX 2202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 11.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Panasonic FZ2001312 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 12.0/s Y Y
14.
 
Panasonic G31440 n3.0 / 460 swivel Y 1/4000s 4.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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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 3 and the FZ100 have zoom lenses built in. Both optics have identical focal length range and aperture specifications (4.5-108mm f/2.8-5.2). Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the V-LUX 3 and the FZ100 write their files to SDXC cards.

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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 3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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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 3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Panasonic FZ100Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon G1 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0---
5.
 
Canon SX50Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Canon SX40Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
7.
 
Canon SX30Ystereo / mono--YES2.0---
8.
 
Fujifilm X100Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
10.
 
Leica D-LUX 5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
11.
 
Leica V-LUX 2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic FZ200Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic FZ150Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
14.
 
Panasonic G3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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Both the V-LUX 3 and the FZ100 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The FZ100 was replaced by the Panasonic FZ150, while the V-LUX 3 was followed by the Leica V-LUX 4. Further information on the features and operation of the V-LUX 3 and FZ100 can be found, respectively, in the Leica V-LUX 3 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic FZ100 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica V-LUX 3 and the Panasonic FZ100? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Advantages of the Leica V-LUX 3:

  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/60i).
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 4 months after the FZ100).

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Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (14 vs 12MP), which boosts linear resolution by 8%.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (47 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in July 2010).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the match-up finishes in a tie (3 points each). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision 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 3 03:03 FZ100

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica V-LUX 3 and the Panasonic FZ100 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 the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the V-LUX 3 or the FZ100. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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.

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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 3............ Dec 2011 949ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic FZ100..+....4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2010 499ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II3/5+..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2014 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X5/5+..76/1004/54.5/5 Jan 2012 799ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX503/5+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 429ebay.com
6.
 
Canon SX40..+....4.5/54/5 Sep 2011 429ebay.com
7.
 
Canon SX303/5+ +....3.5/54/5 Sep 2010 429ebay.com
8.
 
Fujifilm X1003/5....75/1004/55/5 Sep 2010 1,199ebay.com
9.
 
Leica V-LUX 4............ Sep 2012 949ebay.com
10.
 
Leica D-LUX 5........4.5/54/5 Sep 2010 699ebay.com
11.
 
Leica V-LUX 2............ Sep 2010 849ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic FZ2003/5+ +..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2012 599ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic FZ1503/5+ +..76/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2011 499ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G33/5+ +..75/1004.5/55/5 May 2011 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. 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.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ100

    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 3 Panasonic FZ100
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 25-600mm f/2.8-5.2 25-600mm f/2.8-5.2
    Launch Date December 2011 July 2010
    Launch Price USD 949 USD 499
    Sensor Specs Leica V-LUX 3 Panasonic FZ100
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixels 14 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 pixels 4320 x 3240 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.53 μm 1.41 μm
    Pixel Density 42.74 MP/cm2 49.86 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 1080/60p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3,200 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    Screen Specs Leica V-LUX 3 Panasonic FZ100
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Resolution 202k dots 202k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 460k dots 460k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen Swivel screen
    Shooting Specs Leica V-LUX 3 Panasonic FZ100
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 12 shutter flaps/s 11 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support no no
    Connectivity Specs Leica V-LUX 3 Panasonic FZ100
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Leica V-LUX 3 Panasonic FZ100
    Battery Type Leica BP-DC9 Panasonic DMW-BMB9
    Battery Life (CIPA)410 shots per charge410 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 124 x 81 x 95 mm
    (4.9 x 3.2 x 3.7 in)
    124 x 82 x 92 mm
    (4.9 x 3.2 x 3.6 in)
    Camera Weight 540 g (19.0 oz) 540 g (19.0 oz)
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