• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 36.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Leica X-E (Typ 102)

  • Less expensive
    $1300 vs $1795 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    614k 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
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
    6.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12500 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica X-E (Typ 102) advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.79 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    51 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    345g vs 555g
    Lighter weight

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Panasonic GH3
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Leica X2

Panasonic GH3
Leica X2
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Leica X2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Leica X2
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • $1499
  • APS-C

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Leica X2

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic G5

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Panasonic G5
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $550
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-M1

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Olympus E-M1
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Panasonic GH4
  • $1534
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica X-E (Typ 102) vs Panasonic GH4

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