• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 320 - 10,000
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Leica M Monochrom advantages over Panasonic GX85

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.86 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Panasonic GX85 advantages over Leica M Monochrom

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Newer
    8 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    1040k 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 32 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.5 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 10000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M Monochrom

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX85

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent build-quality; Good ergonomics for its size; Built-in 5-axis Dual IS, Built-in EVF; Tilting LCD touchscreen monitor; Competitive still image quality; Excellent 4K video quality; Fast autofocus and burst modes; Generous buffers; Tons of advanced features; Built-in Wi-Fi.

  • EVF could be better; Sluggish RAW and RAW+JPEG buffer clearing; No external mic and headphone jacks; Slow x-sync speed; Mediocre battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Leica M (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
Panasonic GX85
Leica M (Typ 240)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX85
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M Monochrom
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
Panasonic GX85
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Leica M Monochrom
Olympus E-PL8
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic GX85
Olympus E-PL8
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $599
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Leica M Monochrom
Olympus E-PL9
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
Panasonic GX85
Olympus E-PL9
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Longer stills battery life
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