Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1
82 Imaging
68 Features
58 Overall
64


81 Imaging
49 Features
57 Overall
52
Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Leica CL and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. The full galleries are available at Leica CL Gallery and Panasonic GH1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Panasonic GH1
CL | GH1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | November 2017 | ![]() | July 2009 | More recent by 102 months |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer 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 type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Leica CL and Panasonic GH1
CL | GH1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL vs Panasonic GH1 Specifications
Leica CL | Panasonic 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 |