Leica V-Lux 3 - A quick look

Introduction
The Leica V-Lux 3 is its third generation of compact superzooms — and a Super Zoom this camera definitely is with its built-in 24x optical zoom. If you were wondering how would a 24x zoom look like on a DSLR, this would be pretty much it:


Meet the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR, fixed focal length lens.

Of course, carrying one of these would take a certain kind of crazy. For the more sane (or less physically-endowed) among us, the Leica V-Lux 3 offers that kind of range in a much smaller and wallet-friendly package. The V-Lux 3 manages to pack that monster focal length into a package weighing slightly more than 500g, and still lets you shoot at a pretty wide focal length (25mm). It has 12.1 effective megapixels, and lets you shoot videos up to 1080p at 30fps and if you feel like it, 240p at 220fps.

Packing this much glass into a compact, though, would mean that sensor size is sacrificed and the camera would be thicker than most other compact cameras out there. Its size and shape would appeal to most DSLR fans out there, but seems a little out of place with the recent flood of large sensor small-sized compacts that have entered the market since CES 2012.

The camera ships with licenses for both Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premier Elements.

Specifications

Technical data LEICA V-LUX 3

Lens:	Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4.5 – 108 mm f/2.8 – 5.2 ASPH., equivalent to 25–600 mm in 35 mm format
Zoom optical/digital:	24×/4×
Distance settings
Operating modes:	Normal/Macro, continuous autofocus (on/off), AF tracking
Metering modes:	Face recognition, AF tracking, 23-field, 1-field, spot (flexible/scalable)
Distance-settings range
P/A/S/M:	30 cm (wide angle)/2 m (telephoto)–∞
Macro/Intelligent/ Auto/Video:	1 cm (wide angle)/1 m (telephoto)–∞
Scene modes:	May differ from the ranges above.
Sensor:	1/2.33″CMOS with 12.8 MP (effective 12.1 MP)
Resolution	Still image: JPG: 4:3 format: max. 4000 × 3000 pixels (12 MP), 3:2 format: max. 4000 × 2672 pixels (10.5 MP), 16:9 format: max. 4000 × 2248 pixels (9 MP), 1:1 format: max. 2992 × 2992 pixels (9 MP) RAW: 4:3 format: max. 4000 × 3000 pixels (12 MP), 3:2 format: max. 4000 × 2672 pixels (10.5 MP), 16:9 format: max. 4000 × 2248 pixels (9 MP), 1:1 format: max. 2992 × 2992 pixels (9 MP)
Video:	AVCHD: 1920 × 1080 (60p)/1280 × 720 (60p) MP4/30 fps: 1920 × 1080/1280 × 720/640 × 480 High speed: 320 × 240 pixels, 220 fps (motion JPEG)
File format/compression rate
Still image:	RAW/JPEG (based on Exif 2.3 standard)/DPOF-compatible
Video:	AVCHD/MP4/QuickTime Motion JPEG
Exposure control
Exposure modes:	Program (P), aperture priority (A), shutter speed priority (S), manual (M)
Exposure compensation:	Steps: 1/3 EV increments, range: ±3 EV
Metering modes:	Multi-field, center-weighted, spot
White balance:	Auto, daylight, cloudy, shade, halogen, custom
ISO sensitivity:	Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Shutter speeds:	60 s–1/2000 s (Starry-sky mode: 15 s, 30 s, 60 s)
Continuous shooting/burst rate:	(Max. number of frames/max. resolution)
With central shutter:	2 fps: 100/12 MP, 5.5 fps: 100/12 MP, 12 fps: 15/12 MP
With electronic shutter:	40 fps: 50/5 MP, 60 fps: 60/3.5 MP
Video recording:	2/5/10 fps: 40/3.5 MP
Flash
Flash modes:	AUTO, AUTO with pre-flash (red-eye reduction), AUTO with slow sync and pre-flash, on, off
Flash range (with ISO AUTO and shortest focal length):	Approx. 30 cm–9.5 m / Approx. 11.8 in – 31.18 ft
Self-timer:	2/10 sec. delay
Monitor:	3.0″ TFT LCD, approx. 461,000 pixels, coverage: approx. 100%, automatic brightness adjustment
Viewfinder:	Color LCD, approx. 202,000 pixels, coverage: approx. 100%, adjustable by ±4 dioptres
Microphone/speaker:	Stereo/mono
Recording media
Built-in memory:	Approx. 70 MB
Memory cards:	SD, SDHC, SDXC
Interfaces:	Digital: USB 2.0 (high speed), data from PCs cannot be transferred to the camera with the USB cable, mini HDMI cable (Type C). Analog video/audio signals: NTSC/PAL FBAS (menu setting option), audio line-out (mono), dedicated jack (8-pin). MIC/REMOTE: 2.5 mm jack
Printer compatibility:	PictBridge
Operating temperature/humidity:	0–40°C/10–80%
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Voltage/capacity:	7.2 V/895 mAh (410 images, CIPA standard)
Dimensions (W × H × D):	124 × 81 × 95 mm / Approx. 4.88 x 3.19 x 3.74 in
Weight:	540 g / Approx. 19.04 oz (including memory card and battery)
Package includes:	Camera with lens cap, battery charger (Leica BC-DC 9), battery (Leica BP-DC 9), lens hood, carrying strap, AV cable, USB cable, CD with detailed instructions
Software:	Adobe® Photoshop® Elements®, Adobe® Premiere® Elements® (available as free download after registration)

Noise Performance



Sample Pictures



Conclusion
The Leica V-Lux 3 is a highly flexible camera built for quick transition between different shooting situations.
It's lens gives you the latitude to cover large spaces when you have limited room for movement, and at 600mm it gives you the ability to get to hard to reach places.
A good camera to get if you appreciate the Leica brand, and want all that power in a small package.