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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Revealed May 2012
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and SZ8 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The M-Monochrom was released 20 months prior to the SZ8 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the M-Monochrom matches up vs the SZ8 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Panasonic SZ8

 M-Monochrom SZ8 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 SZ8 M-Monochrom 
ReleasedJanuary 2014May 2012More modern by 20 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic SZ8

 M-Monochrom SZ8 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom features outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ8 has sizing of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the M-Monochrom and the SZ8.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and SZ8 is 78 and 94 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at specifications. The pic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and SZ8.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom featuring a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview
35
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
65
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
45
good MP (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (350 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography factors
Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
54
good MP (18MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery pack (350 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
67
lighter than competition (159g)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography advice
58
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good MP (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
rather wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging highlights
Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
9
no video recording
32
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competition (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Panasonic SZ8
 Leica M-MonochromPanasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model Leica M-Monochrom Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-05-10 2014-01-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 10000 1600
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Available lenses 59 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.20 m
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 200 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $7,950 $275