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Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
30
Overall
50
Leica M9-P front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Succeeded the Leica M9
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF5
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Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Leica M9-P versus Panasonic GF3, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the image resolutions of the M9-P (18MP) and GF3 (12MP) and the M9-P (Full frame) and GF3 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M9-P was released at a similar time to the GF3 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a simple view of how the M9-P matches up against the GF3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9-P over the Panasonic GF3

 M9-P GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Leica M9-P

 GF3 M9-P 
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M9-P and Panasonic GF3

 M9-P GF3 
ReleasedJune 2011August 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and size. The Leica M9-P has got physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF3 has specifications of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Leica M9-P versus Panasonic GF3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the M9-P versus the GF3.

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the M9-P and GF3 is 78 and 90 respectively.

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking specifications. The picture below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the M9-P and GF3.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M9-P because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Leica M9-P will give extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively.

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M9-P
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
70
focusing manually
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
55
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M9-P
Street photography with Panasonic GF3
64
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9-P Sports photography info
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography info
44
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9-P as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
54
decent MP (18MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
58
has focus via touch
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9-P Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography advice
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P Vlogging features
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging features
9
no video
32
built-in touchscreen
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
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Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9-P and Panasonic GF3
 Leica M9-PPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica M9-P Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-06-21 2011-08-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 2500 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
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 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 600 gr (1.32 pounds) 264 gr (0.58 pounds)
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 Overall rating 68 50
DXO Color Depth rating 22.5 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 10.1
DXO Low light rating 854 459
Other
Battery life 350 images 300 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $7,995 $360