• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Leica M (Typ 240)

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $6995*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M (Typ 240) 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.05 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    24.0 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,860 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.3 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • 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
    24.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

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
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Leica M (Typ 240)
Olympus E-PL3
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
Leica M (Typ 240)
Olympus E-PM1
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Leica M (Typ 240)
Panasonic GF3X
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Panasonic GF5
Leica M Monochrom
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M Monochrom
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Panasonic GF5
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $7999
  • 35mm
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