Leica CL vs Olympus OM-D E-M5: An Expert’s In-Depth Mirrorless Camera Comparison

When choosing a mirrorless camera, striking the perfect balance between performance, image quality, and usability can feel overwhelming. To make this easier for you, we’re diving deep into two well-regarded models from Leica and Olympus - the Leica CL and the Olympus OM-D E-M5. Both cameras have earned loyal followings for distinct reasons and cater to different photography styles and aspirations.

In this comprehensive comparison, we will break down their design, sensor technology, autofocus capabilities, and suitability for various photography disciplines. We’ll also analyze image quality, video functionality, ergonomics, and price-to-performance value - helping you make an informed choice based on your creative needs.

Physical dimensions and weight differences between Leica CL and Olympus E-M5 reveal their handling personas.

Setting the Stage: Leica CL and Olympus OM-D E-M5 at a Glance

Before exploring specifics, here’s a quick spec comparison summary to orient you:

With the stage set, let’s dig deeper into the critical areas you care about.

Design & Handling: Build Quality and Ergonomics Tested First-Hand

Leica CL: Rangefinder Charm Meets Modern Minimalism

The Leica CL embraces a sleek, minimalistic rangefinder-style design that prioritizes discretion and tactile quality. Its metal alloy chassis feels rigid and luxury-grade, consistent with Leica’s signature craftsmanship. Controls are minimal but thoughtfully placed, designed to encourage intuitive manual adjustments without distraction.

• Ergonomics: Compact and lightweight at 403g, it fits comfortably into smaller hands, though gamers with larger palms might find the grip a bit modest.
• Controls: Touchscreen-enabled fixed LCD screen provides quick operation, but its non-articulating nature limits flexibility in low- or high-angle shooting.
• Viewfinder: A high-resolution 2.36M-dot EVF offers a bright, detailed preview, supporting 100% frame coverage and a pleasant 0.74x magnification - excellent for precise composition.

Olympus OM-D E-M5: Classic SLR-Style With Professional Handling

Olympus’s E-M5 features a more traditional SLR-style body with a distinctive ergonomic grip and rugged construction. Despite being released earlier, it holds up well in terms of build quality with durable weather sealing.

• Ergonomics: Slightly heavier than the Leica CL, at 425g, it balances nicely in hand with a textured grip area ensuring firm hold during longer shoots.
• Controls: The 3” tilting touchscreen LCD (610k dots resolution) supports flexible shooting angles and more tactile control options.
• Viewfinder: The 1.44M-dot EVF is respectable but less bright and magnified (0.58x) compared to the Leica CL, resulting in a slightly less immersive viewing experience.

Notice the streamlined Leica CL top controls versus the more traditional Olympus E-M5 dials and grip design.

Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C vs Four Thirds Dynamics

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here the two differ significantly in size and resolution.

Sensor Size & Resolution

• Leica CL: A 24MP APS-C sensor measuring 23.6 x 15.7 mm offers a larger sensor area (approximately 370.5 mm²), delivering superior noise control, greater dynamic range, and higher resolution images.
• Olympus E-M5: Employs a 16MP Four Thirds sensor (17.3 x 13mm) with roughly 225 mm² sensor area. While smaller, this sensor is known for solid color reproduction and surprisingly good low-light performance, especially considering its age.

Real-World Image Quality

In hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons across various scenes:

• Detail & Sharpness: Leica’s APS-C sensor captures more fine detail and enlarges well due to higher resolution, making it preferable for large prints and detailed cropping.
• Dynamic Range: The Leica CL excels in preserving highlights and shadows, useful in high-contrast landscapes or portraits with mixed lighting.
• Low Light: Despite a higher max ISO of 50,000, usable high-ISO results maintain clean, balanced noise levels up to ISO 6400. Olympus goes up to ISO 25,600 but noise becomes more evident beyond ISO 3200.
• Color Depth & Accuracy: Both cameras produce pleasing natural tones, with the Olympus slightly warmer rendering and Leica more neutral across various lighting.

Comparing sensor sizes: Leica CL’s APS-C sensor gives it an edge in image detail and dynamic range over the smaller Four Thirds sensor of the Olympus E-M5.

Autofocus & Speed: Who Wins in the Heat of the Moment?

When capturing decisive moments - whether a darting bird or a fleeting street scene - the autofocus system’s performance can make or break the shot.

Leica CL Autofocus

• 49 contrast-detection AF points with face detection but no phase detection or animal eye AF.
• Fast single and continuous autofocus modes operate well in good lighting.
• However, in continuous tracking, the lack of phase detection results in slower, less confident tracking performance, especially on moving subjects.
• No built-in image stabilization to aid in slower shutter speeds.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Autofocus

• 35-point contrast-detection system with continuous AF tracking and face detection.
• Despite the older contrast-based system, continuous AF tracking is surprisingly reliable on moving subjects and sports scenarios.
• Sensor-shift 5-axis image stabilization synergizes well to steady images during handheld shooting.
• Slightly slower burst shooting (9 fps vs Leica’s 10), but with more dependable AF tracking during sequences.

Practical Summary: For static or moderately active subjects, both do well. For faster action or wildlife, Olympus edges ahead due to its continuous tracking and in-body stabilization.

Exploring Photography Disciplines: Practical Use-Case Insights

Let’s examine how these cameras perform across different photography genres - based on real shooting sessions and feature tests.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones & Bokeh

• Leica CL: With APS-C’s shallower depth of field potential and beautiful Leica L-mount lenses, it excels in subject separation and creamy bokeh. Face detection enhances eye sharpness, making this a great portrait tool.
• Olympus E-M5: Depth of field is inherently deeper on Four Thirds, slightly limiting background blur; still, excellent skin tones and accurate exposure make it pleasant for environmental portraits. Image stabilization aids handheld shooting at wider apertures.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range & Weather Sealing

• Leica CL: Larger sensor captures more shadow detail and highlight nuances ideal for landscapes and architectural shots. Though no weather sealing, build quality and manual controls satisfy serious enthusiasts.
• Olympus E-M5: Has exemplary dust and splash resistance, suited for fieldwork in harsher conditions. Though lower resolution, the sensor’s noise handling allows flexibility with longer exposures and bracketing.

Wildlife Photography: AF Speed & Telephoto Reach

• Leica CL: Offers a wide lens selection via L-mount but lacks animal eye AF which limits wildlife-specific tracking. The faster shutter (up to 1/25000s silent shutter) helps capture fast moments quietly.
• Olympus E-M5: Supports an extensive Micro Four Thirds lens lineup, including excellent telephotos with built-in stabilization. Continuous tracking AF and high 5fps burst allows competent wildlife action capture, especially in daylight.

Sports Photography: Tracking & Low Light

• Leica CL: Burst rate (10 fps), fast shutter speeds, and bright EVF aid sports shooters, but autofocus tracking slows during extended bursts or complex movement.
• Olympus E-M5: Slightly slower burst speed but better AF tracking and in-body stabilization favor dynamic sports captures, also aided by faster in-lens apertures in the MFT range.

Street Photography: Discreteness & Portability

• Leica CL: Compact, lightweight, and stealthy design is perfect for quick candid shooting and travel. Relatively quiet shutter and minimal controls mean minimal distraction.
• Olympus E-M5: Bulkier but still compact; tilting screen useful for shooting from unconventional angles discreetly. Weather sealing adds confidence for unpredictable environments.

Macro Photography: Magnification & Precision

• Leica CL: Requires high-quality Leica L-mount macro lenses (available but costly) with precise manual focus assisted by focus peaking.
• Olympus E-M5: Benefits from abundant affordable, high-performance MFT macro lenses and lens stabilization, simplifying hand-held macro work.

Night & Astrophotography: High ISO & Exposure Modes

• Leica CL: Superior sensor ISO range and lower noise translate well to night scenes and astrophotography. No explicit bulb mode restrictions; manual exposures supported.
• Olympus E-M5: Limited max ISO but combined with stabilization, longer handheld night shots become feasible. Has built-in intervalometer, ideal for time-lapse astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: More Than Just Stills

If you shoot video, here’s what each camera offers:

The Leica CL’s 4K video with modern codecs caters better to hybrid shooters and vloggers who prioritize resolution and quality. Olympus lags with HD-only video but stabilizes footage well in-camera.

User Interface and Screen: Control Comfort and Flexibility

Leica CL

• Fixed 3” 1.04M-dot touchscreen LCD.
• Responsive touch UI with well-laid-out menus catering to manual exposure users.
• The fixed screen limits creative angles but keeps handling straightforward.

Olympus E-M5

• Articulating 3” 610k-dot touchscreen, enabling high and low angle shooting.
• UI includes customizable buttons and quick access dials.
• Slightly lower resolution screen but tilting adds practical versatility in fieldwork.

Articulating screen on Olympus E-M5 versus fixed screen on Leica CL influences shooting flexibility in different scenarios.

Connectivity, Storage, and Battery Life

• Battery Life: Olympus leads with approximately 360 shots per charge versus Leica’s 220. For extended trips or event shoots, Olympus’s longer life reduces downtime.
• Storage: Both use SD cards with UHS-II support for faster write speeds.
• Connectivity:
  • Leica CL includes built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer.
  • Olympus supports Eye-Fi card compatibility but lacks built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Ports: Olympus includes micro HDMI and USB 2.0; Leica offers USB and no HDMI, which may constrain external monitoring setups.

Lens Ecosystem: The Backbone of Creative Freedom

• Leica CL: Compatible with Leica L-mount lenses (roughly 30 native options plus adapters for other Leica lines). Renowned for lenses with stunning optics and rich rendering, but at a premium price.
• Olympus E-M5: Takes advantage of the vast Micro Four Thirds system with over 100 lenses available, covering budget primes, telephotos, macro, and specialist optics. It suits beginners and experimenters well.

Pricing and Value: What You Get for Your Investment

• Leica CL launched around $3799, reflecting its premium heritage and sensor advantages.
• Olympus E-M5 launched at $799, an attractive entry point offering solid features and ruggedness.

Your budget heavily influences your choice. Leica prioritizes image quality and build, while Olympus delivers accessible versatility for those looking to diversify their kit economically.

Final Performance Ratings and Use-Case Recommendations

Based on our rigorous testing across various criteria, here are overall insights.

In Conclusion: Which Mirrorless Should You Choose?

Leica CL Is For You If:

• You prioritize exceptional image quality and resolution, especially in portraits, landscapes, or studio work.
• You desire a sleek, minimalist rangefinder experience with a premium feel.
• You want 4K video and appreciate high-resolution EVF.
• You have an established budget to invest in Leica lenses and camera system.
• You prefer manual exposure control and tactile simplicity.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Is Ideal If:

• You seek a compact, rugged camera with weather sealing ready for all conditions.
• You want a versatile lens ecosystem offering options from affordable to pro glass.
• You value in-body image stabilization to shoot sharp handheld images and video.
• You engage in active photography like wildlife, sports, or macro where tracking and stabilization help.
• Price and portability are key factors, making it an excellent entry-level advanced mirrorless.

Next Steps: Explore and Experience

The best way to finalize your choice is hands-on experience. If possible, visit a local camera store to hold and test both cameras, try out lenses, and assess the UI firsthand. Sample images from trusted reviewers and online galleries can also help understand each camera's rendering style.

Leica CL front Leica CL screen back Olympus E M5 front Olympus E M5 screen back

Alongside your choice, consider investing in quality lenses, extra batteries, and compatible accessories to fully unlock the potential of your new system.

Through this expert comparison, you now have a clear, detailed understanding of the Leica CL and Olympus OM-D E-M5. Both cameras have unique strengths and cater to different photographic journeys. Your choice reflects your creative priorities, shooting style, and budget.

Happy shooting, and may your next camera be a trusted creative companion for years to come!