Help needed: V-Lux 20 or V-Lux 30?

[Digitom]

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Hello,

I'm very happy with my new X1, and I prefer to go out only with that camera when I take pictures, but now I think about buying a small compact superzoom camera - for situations when I go for traveling, where I need a big zoom (that means really big !) e.g. for taking photos of details of a church or other buildings where I really have no chance to get nerer with "feet-zoom". Although I have a V-Lux 1, which is great, but also very bulky. I don´t want t carry around much photo equipment in addition to my X1, so maybe it would be nice to own a V-Lux 20 or 30 (fits in my pocket). The V-Lux 40 is not in my thoughts since 1st: there is a Touchscreeen and 2nd: for the required, relatively rare recordings simply too expensive. The GPS "fuss" I do not need, I'm purely thinking of the opportunity to have a superzoom for "special cases". I know the image quality of any V-Lux is much below that of the X1 - sure.

 

So my Questions now:

 

(A) In addition to all other known technical differences to V-Lux 1: is the image quality of the 20 or 30 model much falling behind to the IQ of the V-Lux 1 (or 2 or 3)? I tend to work only up to ISO 200, I ask anyone who has appropriate practical experience.

 

( What is your recommendation: buying the V-Lux 20 or rather V-Lux 30? In the 2nd hand market one can see both very often, usually to an even similar price, which makes me suspicious. But not always it is true that the "newer" is the better camera. So if someone has experience with both cams (V-Lux 20, 30, maybe also compared to V-Lux 1, please give me any Info.

Thanks in advance!

 

Note: please no recommendations to other cameras, I would like to stay at Leica / Panaleica ^ ^

 

Thanks for the help,

Digitom

 

(PS: I made a similar theme on the german forum, but I am interested also for international opinions)

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[Digitom]

seems that noone has some advice...

[Schnitzer]

Since you have not had any response from actual users, let me offer what information I have found. I searched the Internet for direct comparison evaluations, but did not find any. The two models are very similar in features. These are the differences that I found (not considering the video recording function).

 

1. The V Lux20 has a 12 megapixel CCD sensor and the V Lux30 has a slightly larger 14 megapixel CMOS sensor. CCD sensors reportedly have better image quality and dynamic range.

 

2. The telephoto zoom lens of the V Lux30 is slightly longer (384 vs. 300mm). However, even with Image Stabilization, a tripod would probably be a necessity for either.

 

3. Max. shutter speed is 1/4000 sec for the V Lux30 and 1/2000 sec for the V Lux20.

 

4. The V lux30 has Touch Screen technology. You indicated that you were not interested in the V Lux40 for that reason. The V Lux20 does not.

 

Both cameras had mostly very high satisfaction ratings from owners.

 

I realize you live in Germany, but for your information there is a V Lux20 outfit for sale on US Ebay that is stated to be new (unused) for an attractive price.

 

Leica V Lux 20 12 1MP Digital Camera Black US Version Mint in Box Never Used 4022243183919 | eBay

 

Hope you able to find the right camera for your needs.

 

Best regards,

Schnitzer

[Digitom]

Hello,

 

thanks for your kindly respond! I just assumed no one maybe has both cameras or no experience to share.

 

 

...I searched the Internet for direct comparison evaluations, but did not find any. ...

 

That exactly was also my experience. One can find comarism between technical data as you mentioned, but a check about "what camera is better in practical use" I did not find.

 

Frankly say I think a magazin like LFI should do that but they are only always singing a hymn when a new Leica is born but they are not willing to make a thest old against new model (maybe they would find out new model is not better all times....)

The technical aspect of Leica gets more in the background from month to month IMHO.

 

1. The V Lux20 has a 12 megapixel CCD sensor and the V Lux30 has a slightly larger 14 megapixel CMOS sensor. CCD sensors reportedly have better image quality and dynamic range.

 

Yes, but I think that is no rea big difference. Especially compared to the APSC sensor built into X1. So my idea was to have a "everytimewithme" cam for special situation a superzoom is needed.

 

2. The telephoto zoom lens of the V Lux30 is slightly longer (384 vs. 300mm). However, even with Image Stabilization, a tripod would probably be a necessity for either.

 

Using my V-Lux1 at the moment for superzooming, I made experience the optcal stabilizer fits my needs. In normal light conditions and ISO set to 200 it is ok without tripod. Afternoon or cloudy weather maybe makes a tripos useful to get clearer pictures.

 

 

4. The V lux30 has Touch Screen technology. You indicated that you were not interested in the V Lux40 for that reason. The V Lux20 does not.

 

If price would noz be so much also for used ones, I woud also buy the 40 model and accept that -for me- contraproductive feature - I am no friend of touching on a screen (beside my Samsung Galaxy, ok ) but that is no camera...and also the new touchscreen concept of T model is amazing (using no physical knobs) compared to classical touch concepts (where physical and virtual elements are wild combined together).

 

 

 

Both cameras had mostly very high satisfaction ratings from owners.

 

I realize you live in Germany, but for your information there is a V Lux20 outfit for sale on US Ebay that is stated to be new (unused) for an attractive price.

 

Leica V Lux 20 12 1MP Digital Camera Black US Version Mint in Box Never Used 4022243183919 | eBay

 

Hope you able to find the right camera for your needs.

 

Best regards,

Schnitzer

 

 

I think 20, 30, 40 model is well for my needs. And ebay in Germany just at the moment offers fine models in mint condition. But the prices are confusing - the 20 model is overprices and there is nearly no difference to the 30 model, and there is a bigger gap between 30 and 40 model. So for this, I just asked here also for some experiences of users of the V-Lux 20/30.

 

Best regards,

Thomas

[Torquinian]

So my Questions now:

 

(A) In addition to all other known technical differences to V-Lux 1: is the image quality of the 20 or 30 model much falling behind to the IQ of the V-Lux 1 (or 2 or 3)? I tend to work

Thanks for the help,

Digitom

 

I have both the V-Lux 20 and 30. & in practice there is little difference between them . The HTML socket differs. I would go for the cheaper one if I was starting again.

The image quality seems excellent on both. My only problem is viewing the screen in bright sunlight, so a carry an old 35mm slide viewer to help with that.