Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic GH5

Cameras
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Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic GH5

35mm 864.0mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH5 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH5.
Compare Panasonic GH5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH5 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5 II
Compare GH5 vs GH5 II

Compare LEICA SL2 vs PANASONIC GH5 II

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Panasonic GH5

Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 3.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark GH5 test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 807 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Thinner
39 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 600 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GH5 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$1298 vs $3605*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
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
More dots on screen
1620k vs 1040k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Faster JPEG shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.9 fps vs 10.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
65 vs 33 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH5 User Reviews

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Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)

Body Only

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Buy the Panasonic GH5

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaking Kit
Kit with 12-60mm lens

Review Excerpt

Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.
Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.
Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

20MP sensor; Better per-pixel sharpness; Very good, slightly improved dynamic range and high ISOs; Stellar 4K video up to 60p with no crop; 6K Photo; Dual UHS-II SD slots; Good battery life for its class.
Buffer is deep, but slow to clear; Expensive; Menus still confusing; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.
Read our Panasonic GH5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$3802
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$7595
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Panasonic GH5

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$7595
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3802
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Panasonic GH5

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Rear display

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$3147
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Panasonic GH5

Sony A9

$1348
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3147
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A9

Compared to Panasonic G9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic G9

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1047
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1047
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G9

Compared to Panasonic G95

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Panasonic G95

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$831
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G95

$1348
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Longer stills battery life

$831
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?