Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1
79 Imaging
49 Features
31 Overall
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54 Imaging
73 Features
84 Overall
77
Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-H Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Released July 2007
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Leica L Mount
- 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
- Introduced February 2019
Photography Glossary Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 Overview
In this article, we are comparing the Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Leica and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and S1 (24MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and S1 (Full frame) feature different sensor sizes.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe M8 was released 12 years earlier than the S1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica M8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the M8 matches up vs the S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica M8 and Panasonic Lumix DC-S1. The complete galleries are available at Leica M8 Gallery and Panasonic S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Panasonic S1
| M8 | S1 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Leica M8
| S1 | M8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2019 | July 2007 | Newer by 140 months | |
| Display type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting display | |
| Display sizing | 3.2" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.7") | |
| Display resolution | 2100k | 230k | Sharper display (+1870k dot) | |
| Touch friendly display | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M8 and Panasonic S1
| M8 | S1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focusing | |||
| Selfie screen | Absent selfie screen |
Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica M8 offers external dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Panasonic S1 has measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).
Analyze the Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the M8 versus the S1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the M8 and S1 is 79 and 54 respectively.
Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The image below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M8 and S1.
All in all, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M8 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Panasonic S1 will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged M8 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications
| Leica M8 | Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Leica | Panasonic |
| Model | Leica M8 | Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 |
| Class | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
| Released | 2007-07-31 | 2019-02-01 |
| Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Venus Engine |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-H | Full frame |
| Sensor measurements | 27 x 18mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor area | 486.0mm² | 847.3mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 3936 x 2630 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Max native ISO | 2500 | 51200 |
| Max enhanced ISO | - | 204800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
| RAW images | ||
| Minimum enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 225 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Leica M | Leica L |
| Amount of lenses | 59 | 30 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.3 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 2.5" | 3.2" |
| Display resolution | 230k dot | 2,100k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch friendly | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 5,760k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.78x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 60 secs |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
| Max quiet shutter speed | - | 1/8000 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | - | 9.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
| Flash settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| External flash | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash sync | 1/250 secs | 1/320 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | - | 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Max video resolution | None | 3840x2160 |
| Video data format | - | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 591 grams (1.30 lbs) | 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | 59 | 95 |
| DXO Color Depth score | 21.1 | 25.2 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | 14.5 |
| DXO Low light score | 663 | 3333 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 550 pictures | 380 pictures |
| Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC card | - |
| Storage slots | Single | Two |
| Retail pricing | $4,400 | $2,498 |