Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5
79 Imaging
50 Features
31 Overall
42


59 Imaging
59 Features
89 Overall
71
Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 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
- Revealed July 2007
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
- Announced January 2017
- Succeeded the Panasonic GH4
- Replacement is Panasonic GH5 II

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 Overview
In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Panasonic. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and GH5 (20MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and GH5 (Four Thirds) use totally different sensor size.

The M8 was manufactured 10 years earlier than the GH5 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica M8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the M8 grades versus the GH5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M8 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5. The entire galleries are provided at Leica M8 Gallery & Panasonic GH5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Panasonic GH5
M8 | GH5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Leica M8
GH5 | M8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2017 | ![]() | July 2007 | Fresher by 114 months |
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 1620k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+1390k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Leica M8 and Panasonic GH5
M8 | GH5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing |
Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica M8 provides external dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH5 has dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs).
Contrast the Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the M8 compared to the GH5.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M8 and GH5 is 79 and 59 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The graphic below might give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M8 and GH5.
As you can tell, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M8 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic GH5 will offer greater detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older M8 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 vs Panasonic GH5 Specifications
Leica M8 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Leica | Panasonic |
Model type | Leica M8 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2007-07-31 | 2017-01-04 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-H | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 27 x 18mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 486.0mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3936 x 2630 | 5184 x 3888 |
Maximum native ISO | 2500 | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 225 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 59 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.3 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3.2 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 1,620 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 3,680 thousand dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.76x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
Fastest quiet shutter speed | - | 1/16000s |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 12.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/250s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 4096x2160 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 591 gr (1.30 pounds) | 725 gr (1.60 pounds) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 59 | 77 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.1 | 23.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 663 | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 images | 410 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
Card slots | One | 2 |
Retail price | $4,400 | $1,298 |