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Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
85
Imaging
60
Features
58
Overall
59
Leica TL front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 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
  • Announced November 2016
  • Updated by Leica TL2
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF2
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Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the TL (16MP) and GF1 (12MP) and the TL (APS-C) and GF1 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The TL was revealed 7 years after the GF1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the TL scores versus the GF1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Panasonic GF1

 TL GF1 
IntroducedNovember 2016October 2009More modern by 87 months
Screen size3.7"3"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1230k460kCrisper screen (+770k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Leica TL

 GF1 TL 

Common features in the Leica TL and Panasonic GF1

 TL GF1 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica TL enjoys outside dimensions of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) while the Panasonic GF1 has measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

See the Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the TL against the GF1.

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the TL and GF1 is 85 and 85 respectively.

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to see the contrast between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TL and GF1.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TL having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF easier and the Leica TL will give you extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher TL is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica TL
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF1
76
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica TL
Street photography with Panasonic GF1
70
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
has focus by touch
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica TL Sports photography details
Panasonic GF1 Sports photography details
55
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
44
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (380 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica TL Travel photography info
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography info
70
has focus by touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
better than average battery (380 per charge)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica TL Landscape photography advice
Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography advice
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
big screen (3.7")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Timelapse function
60
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (380 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica TL
Vlogging with Panasonic GF1
33
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no microphone jack
25
includes face detect focus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
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Leica TL vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica TL and Panasonic GF1
 Leica TLPanasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Brand Leica Panasonic
Model Leica TL Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-11-08 2009-10-14
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12500 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 4 107
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.7" 3"
Resolution of display 1,230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.50 m (at ISO 100) 6.00 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 AVCHD Lite
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 384 grams (0.85 lb) 385 grams (0.85 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 54
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.3
DXO Low light score not tested 513
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 380 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC13 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $1,009 $400