Leica V-Lux 5 Review

The new Leica V-Lux 5 is a super-zoom camera with a 1-inch sensor with 20 megapixels. It also has a 16x optical zoom lens with an equivalent focal range of 25-400mm with maximum apertures that vary from f/2.8-4.

Other important features include a 2.36-megapixel OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.74x magnification, a touch-sensitive LCD screen, high-speed autofocusing, continuous burst shooting at a rate of 12 frames per second, 4K/30p video recording, 4K photo modes, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity through the use of the Leica FOTOS app. In addition, since the previous generation, a new feature called Zoom Compose Assist has been included to assist while shooting with longer focal lengths, and the layout of the buttons has been altered.

Leica V-Lux 5 Body & Control

Because of its price tag, which, while not inexpensive at £1,050, is nonetheless one of the cheaper routes to owning a Leica-badged camera, and partly because the standard-issue bridge model layout and design make for more intuitive handling than we’re used to from this manufacturer, Leica is pitching the V Lux 5 as the ideal camera for “all” photographers. This is partial because its price tag is one of the cheaper routes to owning a Leica-badged camera.

We’d make that idea even better by developing a camera that’s adaptable to a wide variety of shooting conditions and doesn’t require you to change the lens that’s attached to it (since you can’t do that here) or move forward or backward to get your subject to fill the frame. So, to put it succinctly, the selling feature is its adaptability.

When held in the palm, the V-Lux 5 feels comfortable and reassuring. Its plastic (yet not overly plastic-y feeling) frame, as opposed to Leica’s more usual metal, build, suggests a deliberately budget-conscious approach this time around – and, more obviously, another collaboration with Panasonic, whose own original Lumix FZ1000 and its more recent Mark II successor this most closely resembles in terms of core lens and sensor specification. The Leica X-U is available in black and silver.

As is customary, we are required to pay a premium for the Leica brand name; specifically, around $280 more compared to the comparable model offered by the electronics manufacturer at the time of this writing. However, having said all of the above, the Leica V Lux 5 has been appropriately constructed so that it wouldn’t break apart with only a few accidental hits.

Leica V-Lux 5 Image Quality

The colors are as vibrant as we would anticipate seeing from a Panasonic camera—oops, I meant a Leica camera. Detail, too, is on par with what we’d expect a bridge camera to deliver. This means that, while it’s perfectly acceptable, it’s not quite a match for what we’d expect a compact system camera or DSLR in this price range to deliver. Again, however, it is on par with what we’d expect a bridge camera to have.

Neither of those choices could provide the same focal range or lens “poke” as this camera at the same budget, so we must anticipate some sacrifices.

In terms of ISO performance, the combination of a large lens, a decent maximum aperture, and a large sensor has come up trumps, providing a surprisingly good showing as we dial upwards through the range. Only at the top two settings, including the maximum ISO 25000 equivalent, do we see a noticeable degradation in the image when viewing it on screen. But, again, this is because the combination of a large lens, a decent maximum aperture, and a large sensor has come up trump.

This indicates that the V-Lux 5 is excellent at providing the goods, whether day or night, as long as a stable surface is given. What we are paying for in this situation is versatility in capturing images.

The Leica V-Lux 5 delivers superior performance to a point-and-shoot compact camera or an average smartphone. Still, it cannot compete with the capabilities of a compact system camera or the results obtained with a DSLR that can be purchased for a comparable price.

However, if you want a more straightforward camera to hold and quicker to get the hang of than what Leica is accustomed to delivering, you may consider making some sacrifices in this area. The camera has a broader lens reach than most Leicas, and handling is more convenient.

Leica V-Lux 5 Noise

The V-Lux 5 features ten different sensitivity levels, ranging from ISO 80 to ISO 25000, all accessible at full resolution. These may be chosen in increments of 1EV or 1/3EV, and the user can also set the maximum value that Auto ISO will utilize.

Leica V-Lux 5 Night Mode

When the Handheld Night Shot mode is engaged on the V-Lux 5, the camera can rapidly take many exposures of a night scene and combine them into a single image that has improved clarity and decreased noise.

Considering they are often photographed at ISO 3200, the final images are appealing and detailed. Alternatively, you may change the mode of your camera to shutter priority and take pictures with a slow shutter speed and a low ISO sensitivity; however, this will require a tripod.

Leica V-Lux 5 Specs

Body type	SLR-like (bridge)
Max resolution	5472 x 3648
Image ratio w:h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	21 megapixels
Sensor size	1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Sensor type	BSI-CMOS
ISO	Auto, 80-12500 (expands to 25000)
Boosted ISO (maximum)	25000
White balance presets	5
Custom white balance	Yes (4 slots)
Image stabilization	Optical
Uncompressed format	RAW
Focal length (equiv.)	24–400 mm
Optical zoom	16.7×
Maximum aperture	F2.8–4
Autofocus	Subject/scene modes
Manual focus	Yes
Normal focus range	30 cm (11.81″)
Macro focus range	3 cm (1.18″)
Number of focus points	49
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,240,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.74×
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Minimum shutter speed	60 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)	1/16000 sec
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Manual exposure mode	Yes
Flash Range	Yes
Built-in flash	Yes
Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, auto w/slow sync, and redeye reduction, on, off	13.50 m (with Auto ISO)
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Continuous drive	12.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weightedSpot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
Format	MPEG-4, H.264
Modes	3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC card
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB charging	Yes
HDMI	Yes (micro HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	No
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth
Remote control	Yes (via smartphone)
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Built-in
Battery description	BP-DC12 lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	360
Weight (inc. batteries)	812 g (1.79 lb / 28.64 oz)
Dimensions	137 x 97 x 132 mm (5.39 x 3.82 x 5.2″)
Orientation sensor	Yes
GPS	None

Leica V-Lux 5 Conclusion

Although it is not a “pure” Leica in that it shares so much with a more mass-produced Panasonic model that costs almost £300 less, the Leica V-Lux 5 is one of the more affordable ways to own a Leica camera. It is also one of the more accessible ways to own a Leica camera.

Image quality, while not up there with the best of what compact system cameras or DSLRs can currently offer, is nonetheless pretty decent in terms of both the colors and definition delivered, with the Leica V Lux 5 being capable of better results than expected in challenging conditions, such as low light or even night time shooting. While not up there with the best of what compact system cameras or DSLRs can currently offer, image quality is nonetheless pretty decent in terms of both the colors and definition delivered (as long as the camera is resting on a steady surface).

Fortunately, the maximum aperture of f/2.8, which does not appear to be all that impressive on paper, seems to deliver in practice. At the same time, the broad lens range, which reaches from a 35mm equivalent ultra-wide angle of 25mm up to 400mm at the telephoto end, is handy, as it eliminates the need to shuffle forward or back to achieve the framing you were going for. It is much simpler to zoom in rapidly to accomplish that “catch” that you would have otherwise missed.

Since we can shoot 4K video and 20-megapixel stills with a larger-than-average sensor, the “one camera fits all” approach we have taken here may be sufficient for most photographers.

Leica V-Lux 5 FAQs