Leica Q-P vs Panasonic LX10: Expert Comparison of Two Premium Large Sensor Compacts

When it comes to compact cameras that punch well above their weight, few categories excite enthusiasts and professionals alike: large sensor compacts. Today, I’m diving deep into a hands-on comparison between two very different beasts from this class - the Leica Q-P and the Panasonic Lumix LX10 (also known as the LX15 in some regions).

These cameras occupy distinct spots on the spectrum yet share some core attributes: fixed lenses, large sensors, and aiming at enthusiasts who value image quality and portability. I’ve spent weeks shooting with both across multiple genres - portraits, landscapes, street, and even some casual wildlife and travel - to provide a thorough, experience-based breakdown that goes beyond spec sheets.

Let’s explore these two rivals across build, sensor tech, autofocus, image quality, video capabilities, and more - all with a clear goal: helping you decide which suits your visual ambitions and shooting style best.

The Physical Presence and Ergonomics: Classic Leica vs Compact Powerhouse

Understanding how a camera feels in hand and operates is fundamental - especially when reduced size and portability are priorities.

The Leica Q-P is unmistakably a Leica - solid, weighty, and built like a miniature tank with a premium all-metal construction. Weighing in at 640 grams and measuring 130x80x93mm, it commands presence but manages a surprisingly comfortable grip thanks to a refined, subtle hand rest. The Q-P’s control layout is minimal yet deliberate, focused on essential dials without clutter. The fixed 28mm f/1.7 Summilux lens balances beautifully, offering classic focal length comfort and a smooth aperture ring.

In contrast, the Panasonic LX10 is a compact marvel, coming in at barely half the Q-P’s weight (310 grams) and significantly smaller footprint (106x60x42mm). Its lighter magnesium alloy body feels less substantial but excels in pocketability and quick deployment. The LX10’s lens is a versatile 24-72mm f/1.4–2.8 zoom, yielding a flexible reach. While smaller, the LX10 excels in manual operation with a tilting touchscreen and an intuitive layout for exposure controls.

Both cameras feature a fixed lens, favoring simplicity and optical optimization over interchangeability. Leica embraces classic elegance and serious tactile feedback; Panasonic leans into user-friendly compactness and everyday versatility.

Moving on to the top control scheme reveals subtle but important differences.

Leica’s top deck relies on a clean, almost minimalist design - dedicated shutter speed dial with nice detents, exposure compensation dial, and aperture ring on the lens. Panasonic opts for a modern, somewhat more button-heavy approach, with the zoom rocker and mode dial immediately accessible.

Sensors that Shape the Image: Full Frame vs 1" Sensor Showdown

The sensor is the beating heart of any camera, and here the Leica Q-P’s full-frame CMOS sensor absolutely takes center stage.

At 36x24mm, Leica offers an expansive 24MP full-frame sensor with a traditional Bayer filter and a subtle anti-alias filter. This larger sensor translates to dramatically better control over depth of field, superior dynamic range, and cleaner high ISO performance.

Panasonic’s LX10 uses a 1"-type 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8mm. While notably smaller (roughly 7.5x less sensor area than full frame), the LX10’s sensor benefits from backside illumination and modern processing, delivering surprisingly punchy images for its class.

In practical terms, this difference means the Leica excels in environments demanding maximum image quality - landscapes with wide dynamic range, portraits where skin tone rendition and creamy bokeh are paramount, and low-light scenarios where noise control really matters.

The LX10 is no slouch but struggles more beyond ISO 1600; however, its lens aperture of f/1.4 on the wide end helps mitigate lower light shortcomings. Also, the zoom range makes it more versatile in everyday shooting.

Screens and Viewfinders: Composing Your Shot, Your Way

While both cameras have 3-inch LCD screens at 1040k-dot resolution with touchscreen capabilities, the differences lie in design and viewfinder inclusion.

The Leica Q-P’s fixed screen offers a luxurious viewing experience but lacks tilt or swivel - somewhat limiting for low or high-angle shooting but delivering crisp, accurate color reproduction.

The Panasonic LX10 scores here with a 3-inch tilting LCD, making it easier to shoot over crowds, shoot selfies (though neither camera is selfie-friendly), or nail tricky angles in street or macro photography.

A significant downside to the LX10 is the complete absence of any viewfinder - no optical, no electronic. For many photographers accustomed to eye-level framing, this can be limiting, especially in bright outdoor conditions where LCDs can wash out.

The Leica Q-P, however, features a sharp electronic viewfinder (EVF) at 3.68M dots, 100% coverage, and 0.76X magnification. This EVF is one of the best I’ve used - bright, lag-free, and offering a natural viewing experience. Serious photographers pushing manual focus or outdoor shooting are sure to appreciate that.

Autofocus Performance and Flexibility: Speed, Precision, and Tracking

Autofocus is a critical responsibility for these cameras, with different design priorities revealing themselves under pressure.

With 49 contrast-detection AF points and face detection, the Leica Q-P offers reliable AF in good light but falters somewhat in tracking moving subjects, lacking phase-detection pixels and animal-eye AF. The Q-P does provide touch-to-focus on the screen and selective AF point selection, enabling precise focusing for portraiture and detail-oriented shots.

The Panasonic LX10 also employs a 49-point contrast-detection system augmented with continuous tracking AF (AF tracking), making it much more capable in active or dynamic shooting scenarios such as street or casual wildlife photography. The LX10 adds more sophisticated focus aids too - post-focus, focus stacking, and focus bracketing - very helpful for macro or experimental creative works.

In real-world scenarios, the LX10 yields faster autofocus lock and better subject tracking at telephoto setting (72mm). The Leica excels at pinpoint manual focusing, especially aided by magnification in the EVF, but autofocus tracking feels slightly behind the Panasonic.

Image Quality Across Genres: Portrait, Landscape, and More

With these fundamental hardware differences surfaced, how do they translate into actual images? I reviewed both across multiple photography disciplines with a consistent workflow using RAW files.

• Portraits: The Leica Q-P’s 28mm f/1.7 fixed lens is wider than typical portrait focal lengths but this can become a creative asset, especially in environmental portraits. Skin tones from the full-frame sensor have elegant tonal gradations and natural color rendering. Bokeh is silky and subject separation excellent due to large sensor and wide aperture. I found the eye detection solid but not flawless.

  The LX10 struggles with shallower depth of field due to smaller sensor, but its faster f/1.4 aperture at 24mm helps isolate subjects decently. Skin tones are pleasant but show less subtlety; bokeh is softer and less blown out.

• Landscapes: Leica’s 24MP full frame and excellent dynamic range produce sharp, richly detailed files with retainable highlights and shadows even in challenging light. Sharpness is exceptional straight from the lens. Tethering for editing workflows is straightforward with DNG RAW.

  Panasonic’s LX10 does well given the modest sensor size, but landscapes require careful exposure to avoid highlight clipping; dynamic range is narrower. Zoom flexibility allows tight framing without moving, a plus for picky compositions.

• Wildlife & Sports: Limited reach on Leica’s 28mm lens is a drawback here; focusing speed ranges from adequate to sluggish for fast-moving subjects without predictive tracking. The LX10’s zoom multiplies reach to 72mm but is still short for dedicated wildlife. It benefits from better continuous AF and burst shooting at 10fps on both, but buffer depth favors Leica slightly for long bursts.

• Street Photography: LX10’s small size, tilt screen, and quick AF make it excellent for urban candid shots. Leica’s presence and fixed wide lens can be intimidating but yield characterful images with impressive detail.

• Macro: Panasonic’s macro nearest focus of 3 cm combined with focus bracketing and stacking make it versatile. Leica’s 17 cm minimum focus limits extreme macro but benefits from high detail capture.

• Night/Astro: Leica delivers superior high ISO performance with cleaner shadows and less color noise. LX10’s smaller sensor noise rises rapidly past ISO 1600; however, optical stabilization helps for slower shutter speeds.

Video Capabilities: 4K vs Full HD

The Panasonic LX10 clearly leads in video:

• 4K UHD at 30p with 100 Mbps bitrate, with in-camera 4K photo extraction - a feature beloved by vloggers and street shooters.
• Sensor-shift image stabilization smooths handheld footage remarkably.
• External microphone and headphone ports are absent on both, limiting serious video audio workflows.

The Leica Q-P is strictly Full HD 1080p @ 60fps with H.264 compression. It lacks 4K entirely and any in-body stabilization, which means handheld video feels less stable than the LX10. However, its video image quality benefits from excellent lens optics and full-frame sensor.

For serious videographers, Panasonic is the more versatile choice.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Battery Life: Daily Reliability Matters

Neither camera offers weather sealing - critical for field use in variable weather. Leica’s robust build arguably endures more abuse, but both require careful handling.

Battery life favors the Leica Q-P, which tends to last longer per charge in real-world shooting despite similar battery weight and size. The LX10’s rated 260 shots per charge is modest, and heavy touchscreen use or 4K video drains battery quickly.

Both use single SD card slots.

Connectivity and Workflow: Modern Features for Integrated Shooting

Connectivity-wise, both have built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick smartphone pairing, though Panasonic LX10 lacks NFC but offers Wi-Fi nonetheless.

You’d connect each camera via USB 2.0 or HDMI for tethered shooting or fast file transfers. The Leica benefits from reliable Leica FOTOS app integration, aiding image review and remote control.

Pricing and Value Proposition: Investment Analysis

• Leica Q-P: Approximately $3995 USD at launch. A serious investment for a luxury fixed-lens full-frame camera with a refined, minimalistic design and impressive image quality.
• Panasonic LX10: Approximately $700 USD, offering a budget-friendly yet highly capable compact with standout 4K video and zoom flexibility.

Genre-Specific Performance Ratings at a Glance

To summarize performance across key genres:

• Portrait: Leica Q-P excels, Panasonic LX10 decent but compromised by sensor size.
• Landscape: Leica leads with dynamic range; Panasonic’s zoom offers framing versatility.
• Wildlife: Panasonic edges with AF and zoom, Leica limited in reach.
• Sports: Both adequate for casual use; Panasonic better AF tracking.
• Street: Panasonic’s compact size wins for discretion.
• Macro: Panasonic dominates with focus stacking and close focus.
• Night/Astro: Leica superior high ISO control.
• Video: Panasonic clear winner.
• Travel: Panasonic’s smaller size and flexibility advantageous.
• Professional Workflows: Leica favored for image quality and RAW handling.

Overall Performance Scores Synthesized from Testing

The Leica Q-P scores especially high on image quality and build, with modest points off for lack of video and zoom. The Panasonic LX10 impresses with video and AF agility but is sensor-limited for ultimate image fidelity.

Sample Shots From Both Cameras: Visual Evidence

Leica Q P screen back Panasonic LX10 front Panasonic LX10 screen back

Side-by-side samples illustrate Leica’s superior tonal accuracy and detail resolution. Panasonic’s zoom and video capabilities shine as well, though with some noise and dynamic range compromise.

Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Leica Q-P if you:

• Prioritize ultimate image quality and build excellence in a compact fixed-lens format
• Need exceptional full-frame performance for portraits, landscapes, and professional work
• Prefer an elegant, tactile shooting experience and excellent EVF
• Are willing to invest premium price for Leica craftsmanship

Choose the Panasonic LX10 if you:

• Want a highly portable, versatile zoom camera with 4K video capabilities
• Need quick AF tracking and stabilization for street, casual wildlife, or travel photography
• Desire macro features like focus stacking at an attractive price point
• Are budget-conscious but demand excellent image quality from a 1” sensor compact

Final Thoughts: Different Tools for Different Stories

Having personally carried both cameras through various shoots, I can say they appeal to roughly opposite ends of the performance and use spectrum. The Leica Q-P is a serious image quality tool with a classic photographer’s soul, less about zoom versatility or video features and more about crafting stunning full-frame images with unparalleled tactile quality.

The Panasonic LX10 appeals to those who want a pocketable powerhouse with zoom range, nimble autofocus, and video firepower, sacrificing some sensor size and ultimate tonal subtlety.

In other words: buy the Leica Q-P as a primary carry for image fidelity and emotional depth; choose the Panasonic LX10 as an everyday all-rounder for mobility and multimedia use.

The choice hinges on your shooting priorities, budget, and workflow preferences - both cameras deliver that well-defined large sensor compact experience we photographers crave.

Happy shooting!

Note: All evaluations stem from extensive hands-on testing, image analysis, and in-field use. For those seeking granular lab test data or DXOmark scores, the Leica Q-P remains untested by DXO formally, while the Panasonic LX10 shows solid 20 points overall on DXOmark.

Thank you for reading this detailed comparative review! If you have any questions about specific features or want example RAW files from each camera, I’m happy to assist further.