Since I have all three cameras in my hands, I decided to do a quick ISO comparison between the Leica D-Lux 4, D-Lux 5 and V-Lux 2. I included only the common ISO setting from 100 to 1600:
ISO 100 | f/2.8 | 1/3 sec
Leica D-Lux 4:
Leica D-Lux 5:
Leica V-Lux 2:
ISO 200 | f/2.8 | 1/6 sec
Leica D-Lux 4:
Leica D-Lux 5:
Leica V-Lux 2:
ISO 400 | f/2.8 | 1/13 sec
Leica D-Lux 4:
Leica D-Lux 5:
Leica V-Lux 2:
ISO 800 | f/2.8 | 1/25 sec
Leica D-Lux 4:
Leica D-Lux 5:
Leica V-Lux 2:
ISO 1600 | f/2.8 | 1/50 sec
Leica D-Lux 4:
Leica D-Lux 5:
Leica V-Lux 2:
Conclusion
Based on this comparison, I think the Leica D-Lux 5 has the best ISO performance from the trio. What is interesting is that even the two years old Leica D-Lux 4 seems to have better ISO performance than the new V-Lux 2. Clearly, more megapixels does not mean a better picture.
Notes
- All samples were taken under the same lighting condition at 28mm focal length and f/2.8 aperture with auto WB.
- Please note that the Leica V-Lux 2 is a 15.1 MP (effective 14.1 MP) camera, while the D-Lux 4/5 have a 11.3 MP (effective 10.1 MP) sensor.
- The Leica D-Lux 5 can go up to ISO 12800, the D-Lux 4 can go up to ISO 3200 and the V-Lux 2 goes only to ISO 1600.
- I was trying to keep the lighting, aperture and shutter speed constant when switching cameras but there is still a margin of error when performing such comparison.
