Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2
79 Imaging
62 Features
30 Overall
49


88 Imaging
47 Features
50 Overall
48
Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Introduced September 2009
- Renewed by Leica M9-P
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
- Introduced February 2011
- Replaced the Panasonic GF1
- New Model is Panasonic GF3

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2 Overview
Here is a detailed analysis of the Leica M9 and Panasonic GF2, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the M9 (18MP) and GF2 (12MP) and the M9 (Full frame) and GF2 (Four Thirds) come with different sensor measurements.

The M9 was revealed 17 months prior to the GF2 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the M9 scores vs the GF2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica M9 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2. The full galleries are available at Leica M9 Gallery & Panasonic GF2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Panasonic GF2
M9 | GF2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Leica M9
GF2 | M9 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2011 | ![]() | September 2009 | Fresher by 17 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M9 and Panasonic GF2
M9 | GF2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Leica M9 has got exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Panasonic GF2 has dimensions of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs).
Examine the Leica M9 and Panasonic GF2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the M9 vs the GF2.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the M9 and GF2 is 79 and 88 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing only by reading through specifications. The visual below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the M9 and GF2.
To sum up, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M9 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Leica M9 will resolve more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older M9 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GF2 Specifications
Leica M9 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Panasonic |
Model | Leica M9 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-09-09 | 2011-02-24 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 2500 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Leica M | Micro Four Thirds |
Number of lenses | 59 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | None |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 60 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames per second | 3.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 6.00 m |
Flash settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | - | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 585 gr (1.29 lb) | 310 gr (0.68 lb) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 69 | 54 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.5 | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light score | 884 | 506 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 300 images |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $2,750 | $330 |