Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7
79 Imaging
50 Features
31 Overall
42


90 Imaging
53 Features
66 Overall
58
Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-H Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Released July 2007
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
- Revealed February 2015
- Superseded the Panasonic GF6
- Replacement is Panasonic GF8

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7 Overview
In this write-up, we are reviewing the Leica M8 versus Panasonic GF7, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and GF7 (16MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and GF7 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor dimensions.

The M8 was announced 8 years prior to the GF7 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the M8 scores against the GF7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M8 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7. The whole galleries are viewable at Leica M8 Gallery & Panasonic GF7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Panasonic GF7
M8 | GF7 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF7 over the Leica M8
GF7 | M8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2015 | ![]() | July 2007 | More modern by 91 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+810k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M8 and Panasonic GF7
M8 | GF7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica M8 enjoys 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) whilst the Panasonic GF7 has measurements of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs).
Look at the Leica M8 versus Panasonic GF7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the M8 and the GF7.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the M8 and GF7 is 79 and 90 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The image underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the M8 and GF7.
All in all, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M8 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic GF7 will resolve extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged M8 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GF7 Specifications
Leica M8 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Panasonic |
Model | Leica M8 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF7 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2007-07-31 | 2015-02-01 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-H | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 27 x 18mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 486.0mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3936 x 2630 | 4592 x 3448 |
Highest native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW photos | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 59 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.3 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 1,040k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 60 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/16000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 5.8fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 4.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/250 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
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 | 591 gr (1.30 lbs) | 266 gr (0.59 lbs) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 59 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.1 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.3 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 663 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 pictures | 230 pictures |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $4,400 | $308 |