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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 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
  • Revealed September 2009
  • New Model is Leica M9-P
Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Announced January 2017
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GH4
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH5 II
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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Leica M9 and Panasonic GH5, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Leica and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the GH5 (20MP) is fairly similar but the M9 (Full frame) and GH5 (Four Thirds) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The M9 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the GH5 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Leica M9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the M9 matches up against the GH5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Panasonic GH5

 M9 GH5 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Leica M9

 GH5 M9 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017September 2009Fresher by 89 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1620k230kCrisper display (+1390k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Panasonic GH5

 M9 GH5 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Leica M9 features outer 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 has sizing of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") having a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the M9 and the GH5.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the M9 and GH5 is 79 and 59 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M9 and GH5.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M9 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic GH5 will offer more detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older M9 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica M9 Portrait photography details
Panasonic GH5 Portrait photography details
69
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
76
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GH5 Street photography highlights
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
74
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
supports focus by touch
weather proof
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GH5 as a Sports photography camera
44
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low battery pack (350 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
68
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH5 as a Travel photography camera
54
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
weather proof
has bluetooth
supports focus by touch
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography information
Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography information
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low battery pack (350 shots)
no Timelapse function
75
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging features
Panasonic GH5 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
75
display is selfie friendly
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic jack
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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GH5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Panasonic GH5
 Leica M9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
General Information
Company Leica Panasonic
Model Leica M9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-09-09 2017-01-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Venus Engine
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 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
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 225
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 59 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,620k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology 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 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585g (1.29 lbs) 725g (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 77
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 13.0
DXO Low light score 884 807
Other
Battery life 350 photos 410 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 Dual
Price at release $2,750 $1,298