• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 36.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Leica X2

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1995 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 51 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica X2 advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 450 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12500 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Panasonic GF3

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Buy the Leica X2
Leica X2

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 X2
Panasonic GF2
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica X2 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 X2
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica X2 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Panasonic GF3
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X2
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compare Leica X2 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

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 X2
Panasonic GF5
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner

Compare Leica X2 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Panasonic GF3
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • $1534
  • APS-C

Compare Leica X2 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

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