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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 front
Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 Key Specs

Leica M-Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 10000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Launched May 2012
Panasonic GF8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF7
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Panasonic. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the GF8 (16MP) is very comparable but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and GF8 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M-Monochrom was unveiled 4 years before the GF8 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the M-Monochrom scores versus the GF8 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Panasonic GF8

 M-Monochrom GF8 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF8 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 GF8 M-Monochrom 
IntroducedFebruary 2016May 2012More modern by 45 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GF8

 M-Monochrom GF8 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom provides outer dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF8 has measurements of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the M-Monochrom vs the GF8.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and GF8 is 78 and 90 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and GF8.

As you can see, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom using its larger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Leica M-Monochrom will show more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography factors
Panasonic GF8 Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
65
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography details
Panasonic GF8 Street photography details
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
80
tilting screen
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography information
Panasonic GF8 Sports photography information
45
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have liveview
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
49
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
low fps (5.8 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography info
Panasonic GF8 Travel photography info
54
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
66
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF8 Landscape photography advice
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging factors
Panasonic GF8 Vlogging factors
9
can't record video
33
touchscreen functionality
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic jack
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic GF8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic GF8
 Leica M-MonochromPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF8
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-05-10 2016-02-15
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine
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 18MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5212 x 3472 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 10000 25600
Min native ISO 160 200
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 59 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/500 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 5.8 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 5.60 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 gr (1.32 lb) 266 gr (0.59 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 230 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $7,950 $549