• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Leica M Monochrom 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
    ~ 6.86 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
    18.0 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
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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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Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Silver)

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 Monochrom
Olympus E-PL3
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom 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 Monochrom
Olympus E-PM1
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Leica M Monochrom 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 Monochrom
Panasonic GF3X
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Panasonic GF5
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M (Typ 240)

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Panasonic GF5
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica M Monochrom vs Leica M-E (Typ 220)

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