Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic G85

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic G85

Leave Feedback

35mm 864.0mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G85.
Compare Panasonic G85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G85 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2

Succeeded by the Panasonic G95
Compare G85 vs G95

Compare LEICA SL2 vs PANASONIC G95

Buy From

Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Panasonic G85

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark G85 test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 656 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

400 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Thinner
39 mm vs 74 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.74x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 fps vs 9.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G85 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$598 vs $3605*
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Fast startup
~0.80 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 33 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G85 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)

Body Only

All SL (Typ 601) Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G85

Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)
Body Only (Black)

All G85 Deals

Review Excerpt

Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.
Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.
Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

Very good image quality; Very good high ISO performance and dynamic range; Fast and accurate autofocus; Excellent 4K video recording quality and features.
OLPF-less sensor is prone to moiré; Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light; Continuous autofocus is limited to 6fps shooting; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic G85 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$3802
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$7595
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Panasonic G85

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$648
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7595
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3802
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Panasonic G85

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$648
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Rear display

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-M1 II

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G85

Olympus E-M1 II

$648
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$899
4/3

High resolution composite
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Panasonic G85

Sony A9

$648
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Sony A9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic G95

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G95

$648
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger RAW buffer

$848
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Newer

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?