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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
63
Features
89
Overall
73

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Key Specs

Leica M9
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Launched September 2009
  • Successor is Leica M9-P
Panasonic GH5 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4992 x 3744 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 727g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Revealed July 2021
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DC-GH5M2
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GH5
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH6
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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Overview

Below is a detailed overview of the Leica M9 versus Panasonic GH5 II, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the GH5 II (20MP) is relatively comparable but the M9 (Full frame) and GH5 II (Four Thirds) possess different sensor measurements.

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The M9 was unveiled 13 years before the GH5 II and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the M9 matches up versus the GH5 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Panasonic GH5 II

 M9 GH5 II 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 II over the Leica M9

 GH5 II M9 
RevealedJuly 2021September 2009More recent by 144 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1840k230kClearer screen (+1610k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Panasonic GH5 II

 M9 GH5 II 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and size. The Leica M9 enjoys physical dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Panasonic GH5 II has specifications of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") with a weight of 727 grams (1.60 lbs).

Examine the Leica M9 versus Panasonic GH5 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the M9 and the GH5 II.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the M9 and GH5 II is 79 and 59 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through specifications. The visual here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the M9 and GH5 II.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The M9 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic GH5 II will provide more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older M9 will be behind in sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography details
Panasonic GH5 II Portrait photography details
69
manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview
77
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography factors
Panasonic GH5 II Street photography factors
65
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
74
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
weather proof
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH5 II as a Sports photography camera
44
good MP (18 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
slow fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (350 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
bad battery pack (400 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH5 II as a Travel photography camera
54
good MP (18 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (350 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
69
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (400 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH5 II as a Landscape photography camera
60
manual focus
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good MP (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (350 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
76
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (400 per charge)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GH5 II as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
76
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (4992 x 3744 resolution)
includes microphone port
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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Panasonic GH5 II
 Leica M9Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model Leica M9 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II
Alternate name - Lumix DC-GH5M2
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2009-09-09 2021-07-30
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 2500 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 225
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 59 108
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,840k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,680k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.76x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 4992x3744 (30p/?25p/?24p)
Maximum video resolution None 4992x3744
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585 gr (1.29 lbs) 727 gr (1.60 lbs)
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 score 69 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 13.1
DXO Low light score 884 1136
Other
Battery life 350 photos 400 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - DMW-BLK22
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Two
Cost at release $2,750 $1,700