New bridge camera, the Lecia V-Lux 3, offers 24x optical zoom and manual control, debuts

Leica has released a new superzoom compact, the V-Lux 3, which offers a 24x optical zoom from a 25mm wide angle lens. Also present is a 1080p HD movie mode and full manual controls, as well as an electronic viewfinder to compliment the 3 inch LCD screen.

As with the majority of Leica’s recent compact camera releases the specifications and aesthetics are virtually identical to a Panasonic Lumix compact, in this case the Panasonic Lumix FZ150. Barring a few slight alterations to the design the two cameras are extremely similar, which serves as no surprise seeing as Leica supplies a number of Panasonic’s compact and CSC optics.

The V-Lux 3 will be priced at £690 and is available next month.