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Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H front
Portability
52
Imaging
76
Features
87
Overall
80

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Announced July 2007
Panasonic S1H
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 5952 x 3988 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1052g - 151 x 114 x 110mm
  • Released August 2019
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Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica M8 and Panasonic S1H, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and S1H (24MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and S1H (Full frame) have different sensor dimensions.

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The M8 was manufactured 13 years prior to the S1H and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica M8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1H being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summation of how the M8 grades versus the S1H with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Panasonic S1H

 M8 S1H 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1H over the Leica M8

 S1H M8 
ReleasedAugust 2019July 2007Fresher by 147 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2330k230kClearer screen (+2100k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M8 and Panasonic S1H

 M8 S1H 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica M8 enjoys exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1H has dimensions of 151mm x 114mm x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3") accompanied by a weight of 1052 grams (2.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica M8 and Panasonic S1H in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the M8 against the S1H.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the M8 and S1H is 79 and 52 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the M8 and S1H.

All in all, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M8 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic S1H will render extra detail due to its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The older M8 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Portrait photography highlights
54
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-H)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (10MP)
85
focusing manually
high flash sync speed (1/320s)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 Street photography advice
Panasonic S1H Street photography advice
62
decent sensor size (APS-H)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
69
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
weather sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (1,052 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Sports photography highlights
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor size (APS-H)
good battery power (550 per charge)
does not have liveview
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
low battery pack (400 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M8 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Travel photography highlights
51
good battery power (550 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
64
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
decent megapixels (24MP)
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (400 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (1,052g)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S1H Landscape photography highlights
55
manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor size (APS-H)
no anti aliasing filter
exports RAW formats
good battery power (550 per charge)
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
81
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
low battery pack (400 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S1H as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
70
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (5952 x 3988 resolution)
does have mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (1,052g)
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Leica M8 vs Panasonic S1H Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Panasonic S1H
 Leica M8Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica M8 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2007-07-31 2019-08-28
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Full frame
Sensor dimensions 27 x 18mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 486.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3936 x 2630 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 2500 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 225
Lens
Lens support Leica M Leica L
Available lenses 59 30
Crop factor 1.3 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3.2"
Screen resolution 230k dot 2,330k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/320 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 5952 x 3988 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution None 5952x3988
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 591 gr (1.30 pounds) 1052 gr (2.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 151 x 114 x 110mm (5.9" x 4.5" x 4.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 59 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 663 not tested
Other
Battery life 550 photographs 400 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Single 2
Pricing at release $4,400 $3,998