Clicky

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1

Portability
82
Imaging
68
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs

Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Launched November 2017
Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH2
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Leica and Panasonic. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the CL (24MP) and GH1 (12MP) and the CL (APS-C) and GH1 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor measurements.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The CL was revealed 8 years later than the GH1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica CL being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the CL grades versus the GH1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

				

Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Panasonic GH1

 CL GH1 
IntroducedNovember 2017July 2009More recent by 102 months
Screen resolution1040k460kClearer screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Leica CL

 GH1 CL 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Leica CL and Panasonic GH1

 CL GH1 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Leica CL has external dimensions of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Panasonic GH1 has sizing of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Look at the Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the CL against the GH1.

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the CL and GH1 is 82 and 81 respectively.

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the CL and GH1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The CL with its bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Leica CL will give more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher CL will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica CL as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Portrait photography camera
72
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
focusing manually not possible
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Leica CL Street photography information
Panasonic GH1 Street photography information
73
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
above average high ISO (50,000)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Leica CL as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH1 as a Sports photography camera
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/25,000s)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (220 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
32
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery pack (320 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Leica CL Travel photography highlights
Panasonic GH1 Travel photography highlights
66
features focus via touch
decent MP (24 megapixels)
bad battery life (220 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (320 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica CL Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography highlights
68
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (50,000)
delivers RAW files
focusing manually not possible
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (220 shots)
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (320 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL Vlogging factors
Panasonic GH1 Vlogging factors
33
touchscreen capability
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone socket
72
selfie friendly display
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic port
does not have image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Panasonic GH1
 Leica CLPanasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
General Information
Make Leica Panasonic
Model Leica CL Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2017-11-21 2009-07-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 18.89 x 14.48mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 273.5mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6014 x 4014 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 50000 1600
Max enhanced ISO - 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 49 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 30 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/25000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.50 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 403 gr (0.89 pounds) 385 gr (0.85 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 220 shots 320 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $3,799 $949