Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3
78 Imaging
64 Features
30 Overall
50


90 Imaging
48 Features
48 Overall
48
Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M9-P and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. The complete galleries are available at Leica M9-P Gallery and Panasonic GF3 Gallery.
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 dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9-P and Panasonic GF3
M9-P | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | June 2011 | ![]() | August 2011 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9-P vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications
Leica M9-P | Panasonic 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 |