• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Panasonic GH5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,821 vs 807 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 87 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 600 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Less expensive
    $1298 vs $3605*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Slower slow-motion
    180 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.9 fps vs 10.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.9 fps vs 10.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    65 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)
Body Only
All SL (Typ 601) Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GH5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Filmmaking Kit
  • Kit with 12-60mm lens
All GH5 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

  • 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.

  • Read our Panasonic GH5 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 GH5
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 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 GH5
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Rear display
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Panasonic GH5
Sony A9
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9

Compared to Panasonic G9

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Panasonic G9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5
Panasonic G9
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

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 GH5
Panasonic G95
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

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