• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

Buy From

Differences

Leica M9 advantages over Panasonic G6

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.87 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    884 vs 639 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Panasonic G6 advantages over Leica M9

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.2 fps vs 1.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 2500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M9
Leica M9

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G6
Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Body Only
All G6 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, with unique film-like "Leica look"; No-nonsense controls; Solid build; Good print quality.

  • Difficult to focus in low light; High default contrast and saturation; Manual focus only; Lack of low-pass filter can leave moire and other artifacts.

  • Read our Leica M9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Leica M9
Leica M Monochrom
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO

Compare Leica M9 vs Leica M Monochrom

Panasonic G6
Leica M Monochrom
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Leica M Monochrom

Compared to Panasonic G5

Leica M9
Panasonic G5
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica M9 vs Panasonic G5

Panasonic G6
Panasonic G5
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $500
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M9
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Leica M9 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Panasonic G6
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M9
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Leica M9 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Panasonic G6
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Compared to Panasonic G7

Leica M9
Panasonic G7
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M9 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic G6
Panasonic G7
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • NFC
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic G6 vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?