Olympus PEN-F vs Leica CL

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Olympus PEN-F vs Leica CL

4/3 226.2mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

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

APS-C 370.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica CL Review.

Buy From

Differences

Olympus PEN-F advantages over Leica CL

Less expensive
$999 vs $3195
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

330 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
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
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Leica CL advantages over Olympus PEN-F

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)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.62x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
140 vs 43 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
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

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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read PEN-F User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read CL User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus PEN-F

Body Only (Silver)

Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Black)

All PEN-F Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-56mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18mm lens (Black)

Review Excerpt

Highest resolution Olympus 4/3" camera yet; Excellent image quality for its class; Very good dynamic range; Fast autofocus; Fast burst speeds; Lots of fun creative filter options; Built-in EVF, Wi-Fi.
Expensive; No weather sealing; Mediocre battery life; No 4K video; No mic or headphone jacks.
Read our Olympus PEN-F Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica CL.
Read our Leica CL Preview

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Olympus PEN-F

Panasonic GX85

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
High resolution composite

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic GX85

Leica CL

Panasonic GX85

$3195
APS-C

Larger sensor
Top deck display

$598
4/3

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-PL8

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL8

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL8

Leica CL

Olympus E-PL8

$3195
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$599
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL8

Compared to Sony A6500

Olympus PEN-F

Sony A6500

$999
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1198
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs 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

Compare Leica CL vs Sony A6500

Compared to Olympus E-PL9

Olympus PEN-F

Olympus E-PL9

$999
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Olympus E-PL9

Leica CL

Olympus E-PL9

$3195
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Olympus E-PL9

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Olympus PEN-F

Fujifilm X-Pro3

$999
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1799
APS-C

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Olympus PEN-F vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica CL

Fujifilm X-Pro3

$3195
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
More viewfinder magnification

$1799
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Compare Other Cameras?