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Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 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
  • Revealed July 2007
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF5
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Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Leica M8 versus Panasonic GF3, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the M8 (10MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the M8 (APS-H) and GF3 (Four Thirds) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The M8 was introduced 5 years before the GF3 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the M8 scores against the GF3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Panasonic GF3

 M8 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Leica M8

 GF3 M8 
RevealedAugust 2011July 2007More modern by 49 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M8 and Panasonic GF3

 M8 GF3 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and volume. The Leica M8 features external measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) while the Panasonic GF3 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Examine the Leica M8 versus Panasonic GF3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the M8 vs the GF3.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the M8 and GF3 is 79 and 90 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through technical specs. The pic below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and GF3.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M8 having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic GF3 will give greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged M8 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M8
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
low megapixels (10MP)
55
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
62
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides touch focus
fixed screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Leica M8 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
better than average battery (550 shots)
no liveview feature
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
lacks phase detect AF
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M8
Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
51
better than average battery (550 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
58
provides touch focus
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (300 CIPA)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M8
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
doesnt have low pass filter
saves RAW files
better than average battery (550 shots)
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't shoot video
32
touchscreen enabled
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing microphone support
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Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Panasonic GF3
 Leica M8Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Brand Name Leica Panasonic
Model Leica M8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2007-07-31 2011-08-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 27 x 18mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 486.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3936 x 2630 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 2500 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1.3 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 591 grams (1.30 lb) 264 grams (0.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 59 50
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 20.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 10.1
DXO Low light score 663 459
Other
Battery life 550 images 300 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $4,400 $360