Clicky

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S Key Specs

Leica M-Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 10000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Released May 2012
Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Revealed January 2018
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GH5S, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Leica and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap among the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and GH5S (10MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and GH5S (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor size.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The M-Monochrom was unveiled 6 years prior to the GH5S which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the M-Monochrom matches up versus the GH5S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Panasonic GH5S

 M-Monochrom GH5S 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Leica M-Monochrom

 GH5S M-Monochrom 
RevealedJanuary 2018May 2012More modern by 68 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1620k230kSharper display (+1390k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GH5S

 M-Monochrom GH5S 
Manual focus More precise focus

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom offers outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH5S has sizing of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

See the Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GH5S in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the M-Monochrom and the GH5S.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and GH5S is 78 and 62 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by going through a spec sheet. The image here might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and GH5S.

Clearly, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom with its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Leica M-Monochrom will produce extra detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be behind in sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
62
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (10MP)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography advice
Panasonic GH5S Street photography advice
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
68
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather proof
great high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
YouTube trialing AI that fast-forwards to the best video segments

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Panasonic GH5S
45
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
Supernova astonishes astronomers in ancient 12th century observations

Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography highlights
Panasonic GH5S Travel photography highlights
54
decent megapixels (18MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
61
weather proof
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
screen is selfie friendly
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography features
Panasonic GH5S Landscape photography features
58
manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (350 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
63
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
missing Time Lapse function
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH5S as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
68
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic support
does not have image stabilization
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GH5S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GH5S
 Leica M-MonochromPanasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
General Information
Company Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-10 2018-01-08
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine 10
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 3680 x 2760
Maximum native ISO 10000 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 160 160
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 225
Lens
Lens support Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 59 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.5" 3.2"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,620 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.76x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 660g (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 440 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - DMW-BLF19
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported)
Card slots Single 2
Cost at release $7,950 $2,498