Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic GX85

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Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic GX85

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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 GX85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX85.
Compare Panasonic GX85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX85 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2
Compare Leica SL2 vs Panasonic GX85

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Panasonic GX85

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 GX85 test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 662 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 290 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 0.70x
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
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 GX85 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$598 vs $3605*
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

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
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

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 GX85 User Reviews

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All SL (Typ 601) Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GX85

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm and 45-150mm lenses (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Silver)

All GX85 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

Excellent build-quality; Good ergonomics for its size; Built-in 5-axis Dual IS, Built-in EVF; Tilting LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Excellent 4K video quality; Fast autofocus and burst modes; Generous buffers; Tons of advanced features; Built-in Wi-Fi.
EVF could be better; Sluggish RAW and RAW+JPEG buffer clearing; No external mic and headphone jacks; Slow x-sync speed; Mediocre battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX85 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 GX85

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7595
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 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 GX85

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$598
4/3

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-PL8

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Olympus E-PL8

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL8

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Shoot 4K video

$599
4/3

Longer stills battery life
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL8

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 GX85

Sony A9

$598
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Sony A9

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Olympus E-PL9

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Olympus E-PL9

Panasonic GX85

Olympus E-PL9

$598
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$700
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic GX85 vs Olympus E-PL9

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