• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Leica Q2

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $5198*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica Q2 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    6 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    47.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 12800 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

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.

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
Leica Q2
Olympus E-PL3
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Thinner

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
Leica Q2
Olympus E-PM1
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • HDMI out

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Leica Q2
Panasonic GF3X
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Leica Q

Panasonic GF5
Leica Q
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica Q2
Leica Q
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Panasonic GF5
Zeiss ZX1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • HDMI out
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Leica Q2
Zeiss ZX1
  • $5554
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach
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