• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Leica M (Typ 262)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $4995*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot 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
    4.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M (Typ 262) advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • 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)
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
  • 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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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Leica M (Typ 262)
Olympus E-PL3
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica M (Typ 262) vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Leica M (Typ 262)
Olympus E-PM1
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica M (Typ 262) vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Leica M (Typ 262)
Panasonic GF3X
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica M (Typ 262) vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

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

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica M (Typ 262)
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video

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

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Panasonic GF5
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica M (Typ 262)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $4995
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • $5995
  • 35mm

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

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