• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Leica M9 advantages over Panasonic GH5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.87 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    37 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic GH5 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More dynamic range
    13.0 vs 11.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
    1620k 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
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.76x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.9 fps vs 1.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    600 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • 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 panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • 20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.

  • Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Leica M9
Leica M Monochrom
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
Panasonic GH5
Leica M Monochrom
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M9
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
Panasonic GH5
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic GH5
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G9

Leica M9
Panasonic G9
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G9
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $1065
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display

Compared to Panasonic G95

Leica M9
Panasonic G95
  • $8000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G95
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Compare Other Cameras?