• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 25,000

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Differences

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.01 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    24.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GF3

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Buy the Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Body Only (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Small, solid, light body; Good image quality; 14mm kit lens is of good quality and very small; Very fast autofocus; Excellent selection of lenses; Very fun to shoot with.

  • Small controls; Touchscreen interface might not be for everyone; Weak flash; Does not work with most accessories from previous models; JPEG image quality falls short of third-generation competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF2

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Panasonic GF2
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Panasonic GF3X
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF5
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF5

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Panasonic GF5
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Panasonic GF3
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7495
  • 35mm

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Panasonic GF3
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm

Compare Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

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