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Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 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 GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF1
  • New Model is Panasonic GF3
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Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Leica M8 and Panasonic GF2, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the M8 (10MP) and the GF2 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the M8 (APS-H) and GF2 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The M8 was brought out 4 years earlier than the GF2 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the M8 scores versus the GF2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Panasonic GF2

 M8 GF2 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Leica M8

 GF2 M8 
RevealedFebruary 2011July 2007Fresher by 43 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M8 and Panasonic GF2

 M8 GF2 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica M8 offers outside measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF2 has dimensions of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs).

Contrast the Leica M8 and Panasonic GF2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the M8 versus the GF2.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M8 and GF2 is 79 and 88 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by checking specs. The visual underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and GF2.

All in all, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M8 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic GF2 will give greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older M8 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography features
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-H)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 Street photography features
Panasonic GF2 Street photography features
62
good sensor size (APS-H)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
65
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography information
Panasonic GF2 Sports photography information
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-H)
better than average battery power (550 CIPA)
no liveview
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
has no phase detect AF
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M8 Travel photography info
Panasonic GF2 Travel photography info
51
better than average battery power (550 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography factors
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
good sensor size (APS-H)
does not have anti-alias filter
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (550 per charge)
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF2 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
32
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
no external mic port
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Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Panasonic GF2
 Leica M8Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica M8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2007-07-31 2011-02-24
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 27 x 18mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 486.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3936 x 2630 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 2500 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1.3 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic 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 591g (1.30 lb) 310g (0.68 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 59 54
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 10.3
DXO Low light rating 663 506
Other
Battery life 550 shots 300 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $4,400 $330