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Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F

Portability
85
Imaging
60
Features
58
Overall
59
Leica TL front
 
Olympus PEN-F front
Portability
84
Imaging
59
Features
79
Overall
67

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F Key Specs

Leica TL
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 384g - 134 x 69 x 33mm
  • Released November 2016
  • Successor is Leica TL2
Olympus PEN-F
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
  • Launched January 2016
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Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Leica and Olympus. The image resolution of the TL (16MP) and the PEN-F (20MP) is pretty well matched but the TL (APS-C) and PEN-F (Four Thirds) have different sensor sizing.

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The TL was manufactured 10 months after the PEN-F and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the TL grades against the PEN-F in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Olympus PEN-F

 TL PEN-F 
LaunchedNovember 2016January 2016More modern by 10 months
Screen size3.7"3"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1230k1037kClearer screen (+193k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Leica TL

 PEN-F TL 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica TL and Olympus PEN-F

 TL PEN-F 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Leica TL provides exterior measurements of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Olympus PEN-F has specifications of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs).

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Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the TL and the PEN-F.

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TL and PEN-F is 85 and 84 respectively.

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F top view buttons comparison

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the TL and PEN-F.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The TL due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Olympus PEN-F will give you more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern TL should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F sensor size comparison

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and ViewFinder

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica TL as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus PEN-F as a Portrait photography camera
76
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
75
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica TL Street photography info
Olympus PEN-F Street photography info
70
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
84
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica TL
Sports photography with Olympus PEN-F
55
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
bad battery pack (330 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica TL
Travel photography with Olympus PEN-F
70
offers focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
75
features focus by touch
MP count good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica TL
Landscape photography with Olympus PEN-F
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen larger than average (3.7 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
76
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
bad battery pack (330 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica TL Vlogging advice
Olympus PEN-F Vlogging advice
33
touchscreen
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone support
78
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Leica TL vs Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica TL and Olympus PEN-F
 Leica TLOlympus PEN-F
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Olympus
Model type Leica TL Olympus PEN-F
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2016-11-08 2016-01-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 5184 x 3888
Max native ISO 12500 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 81
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 4 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.62x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.50 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 384 gr (0.85 lbs) 427 gr (0.94 lbs)
Physical dimensions 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 74
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 894
Other
Battery life 400 shots 330 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC13 BLN-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $1,009 $1,000