• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 17.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Leica CL advantages over Panasonic LX100 II

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.92 vs 3.36 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 17.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster shutter
    1/25000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic LX100 II advantages over Leica CL

  • Less expensive
    $798 vs $3195
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.3 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.2 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

Review Excerpt

  • Compact coat-pocket friendly body with plenty of dedicated controls; Great electronic viewfinder; Impressive image quality for its class; Generous performance; Decent battery life.

  • Too big for a pants pocket; No articulation for LCD; Relatively short zoom range compared to some rivals; Can't use full sensor area at any aspect ratio; Not the best choice for video.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Leica CL
Panasonic LX100
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic LX100 II
Panasonic LX100
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Leica CL
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic LX100 II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Panasonic LX100 II
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A6500

Leica CL
Sony A6500
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Top deck display
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic LX100 II
Sony A6500
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic LX100 II
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tiltable Screen
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