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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1

Portability
79
Imaging
63
Features
30
Overall
49
Leica M9 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 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
  • Introduced September 2009
  • Newer Model is Leica M9-P
Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • New Model is Panasonic GX7
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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Panasonic. The image resolution of the M9 (18MP) and the GX1 (16MP) is relatively similar but the M9 (Full frame) and GX1 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor size.

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The M9 was launched 3 years earlier than the GX1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the M9 scores against the GX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M9 over the Panasonic GX1

 M9 GX1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Leica M9

 GX1 M9 
LaunchedFebruary 2012September 2009More modern by 29 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M9 and Panasonic GX1

 M9 GX1 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica M9 enjoys outer dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Panasonic GX1 has proportions of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs).

Examine the Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the M9 against the GX1.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M9 and GX1 is 79 and 87 respectively.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes simply by reviewing specs. The picture here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the M9 and GX1.

All in all, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M9 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF simpler and the Leica M9 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged M9 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 sensor size comparison

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M9
Portrait photography with Panasonic GX1
69
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M9 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GX1 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M9 Sports photography information
Panasonic GX1 Sports photography information
44
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (350 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
47
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
bad battery (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M9 Travel photography factors
Panasonic GX1 Travel photography factors
54
megapixel count decent (18MP)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery power (350 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
boasts focus by touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery (300 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M9 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GX1 Landscape photography advice
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (350 shots)
missing Timelapse recording
62
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
bad battery (300 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M9 Vlogging information
Panasonic GX1 Vlogging information
9
can't shoot video
32
screen is touchscreen
provides face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing mic support
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Leica M9 vs Panasonic GX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M9 and Panasonic GX1
 Leica M9Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
General Information
Make Leica Panasonic
Model Leica M9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-09-09 2012-02-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 18MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5212 x 3472 4592 x 3448
Maximum native ISO 2500 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT color LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.60 m
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180s 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 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585g (1.29 lb) 318g (0.70 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 69 55
DXO Color Depth score 22.5 20.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 10.6
DXO Low light score 884 703
Other
Battery life 350 photos 300 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $2,750 $228