• 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Leica CL

  • Less expensive
    $999* vs $6995
    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
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Leica CL advantages over Olympus PEN-F

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.62x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 43 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/25000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F
Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Silver)
  • Body Only (Black)
All PEN-F Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL
Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Kit with 18-56mm lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18mm lens (Black)
All CL Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.

  • Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.

  • Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Leica CL
Panasonic GX85
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Top deck display
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL8
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Leica CL
Olympus E-PL8
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Sony A6500

Olympus PEN-F
Sony A6500
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Sony A6500

Leica CL
Sony A6500
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Top deck display
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1216
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Sony A6500

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F
Olympus E-PL9
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

Leica CL
Olympus E-PL9
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Olympus PEN-F
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $999
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Compare Other Cameras?