• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus E-M5 advantages over Leica C

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    826 vs 193 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica C advantages over Olympus E-M5

  • Less expensive
    $699 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

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Buy the Olympus E-M5
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica C

Review Excerpt

  • Attractive body design; Well-built, weather-sealed body; Excellent image quality; Excellent image stabilization; Very fast autofocus.

  • Exposure compensation dial changes easily; Small buttons; No in-camera chromatic aberration correction; Bundled flash is weak; Video compression artifacts with rapidly-moving subjects.

  • Read our Olympus E-M5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-M1

Leica C
Olympus E-M1
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Leica C vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic G3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic G3

Leica C
Panasonic G3
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica C vs Panasonic G3

Compared to Canon S100

Olympus E-M5
Canon S100
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Canon S100

Leica C
Canon S100
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Leica C vs Canon S100

Compared to Panasonic LF1

Olympus E-M5
Panasonic LF1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Panasonic LF1

Leica C
Panasonic LF1
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $248
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica C vs Panasonic LF1

Compared to Olympus E-P5

Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-P5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus E-M5 vs Olympus E-P5

Leica C
Olympus E-P5
  • $699
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $1249
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Leica C vs Olympus E-P5

Compare Other Cameras?