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Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
52
Imaging
74
Features
43
Overall
61
Leica S2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Leica S2
(Full Review)
  • 38MP - Medium format Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1250
  • No Video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1410g - 160 x 120 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2008
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF2
  • Successor is Panasonic GF5
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Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Leica S2 versus Panasonic GF3, former is a Pro DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the S2 (38MP) and GF3 (12MP) and the S2 (Medium format) and GF3 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor size.

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The S2 was manufactured 3 years earlier than the GF3 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Leica S2 being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the S2 grades vs the GF3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica S2 over the Panasonic GF3

 S2 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Leica S2

 GF3 S2 
RevealedAugust 2011September 2008Newer by 35 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica S2 and Panasonic GF3

 S2 GF3 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica S2 has got outside dimensions of 160mm x 120mm x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 1410 grams (3.11 lbs) while the Panasonic GF3 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Check the Leica S2 versus Panasonic GF3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the S2 versus the GF3.

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and GF3 is 52 and 90 respectively.

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and GF3.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S2 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Leica S2 will offer you greater detail due to its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged S2 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica S2 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography features
76
manual focus
great sensor resolution (38MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
55
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica S2 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
51
sensor size is large (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (1,250)
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica S2 Sports photography info
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography info
58
great sensor resolution (38MP)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (1,000 per charge)
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica S2 Travel photography information
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography information
45
great sensor resolution (38 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (1,000 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
58
boasts focus via touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery power (300 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica S2 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography advice
62
manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3")
great sensor resolution (38 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Medium format)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low max ISO (1,250)
not so great battery power (1,000 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica S2 Vlogging features
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging features
9
can't shoot video
32
touchscreen capability
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic support
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Leica S2 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica S2 and Panasonic GF3
 Leica S2Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Panasonic
Model type Leica S2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Type Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2008-09-23 2011-08-11
Physical type Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Medium format Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 45 x 30mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 1,350.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 38 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 7500 x 5000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1250 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 23
Lens
Lens support Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 30 107
Focal length multiplier 0.8 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.86x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.30 m
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1410 grams (3.11 pounds) 264 grams (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 160 x 120 x 81mm (6.3" x 4.7" x 3.2") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 76 50
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 10.1
DXO Low light rating 824 459
Other
Battery life 1000 shots 300 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $0 $360