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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
49
Features
54
Overall
51

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 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
  • Revealed May 2012
Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
  • Launched April 2012
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF3
  • Updated by Panasonic GF6
Photography Glossary

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Panasonic. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and GF5 (12MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and GF5 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M-Monochrom was launched 2 months later than the GF5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the M-Monochrom grades versus the GF5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Panasonic GF5

 M-Monochrom GF5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 GF5 M-Monochrom 
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kCrisper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GF5

 M-Monochrom GF5 
LaunchedMay 2012April 2012Similar generation
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom offers outside measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF5 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") and a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs).

Contrast the Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the M-Monochrom and the GF5.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and GF5 is 78 and 89 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The visual below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and GF5.

All in all, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom because of its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Leica M-Monochrom will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography features
Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography features
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
56
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography advice
Panasonic GF5 Street photography advice
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
supports focus by touch
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF5 Sports photography highlights
45
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (350 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
41
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with Panasonic GF5
54
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (350 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
supports focus by touch
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF5 as a Landscape photography camera
58
manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
terrible battery life (350 shots)
lack of Timelapse recording
59
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging info
Panasonic GF5 Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
32
touch screen
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no microphone port
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GF5
 Leica M-MonochromPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2012-04-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 10000 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) 267 grams (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 50
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 573
Other
Battery life 350 images 360 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $7,950 $600