Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3
85 Imaging
60 Features
58 Overall
59


66 Imaging
52 Features
80 Overall
63
Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced November 2016
- Refreshed by Leica TL2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
- Launched September 2012
- Superseded the Panasonic GH2
- Later Model is Panasonic GH4

Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Leica TL and Panasonic GH3, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the TL (16MP) and the GH3 (16MP) is fairly similar but the TL (APS-C) and GH3 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor sizes.

The TL was launched 4 years later than the GH3 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Leica TL being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the TL matches up against the GH3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica TL & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3. The complete galleries are available at Leica TL Gallery & Panasonic GH3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Panasonic GH3
TL | GH3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2016 | ![]() | September 2012 | Fresher by 51 months |
Display size | 3.7" | ![]() | 3" | Larger display (+0.7") |
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 614k | Clearer display (+616k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Leica TL
GH3 | TL | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Leica TL and Panasonic GH3
TL | GH3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica TL provides outer measurements of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") with a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Panasonic GH3 has dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).
Check out the Leica TL and Panasonic GH3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the TL compared to the GH3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TL and GH3 is 85 and 66 respectively.

Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specs. The graphic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the TL and GH3.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The TL contains the larger sensor which will make getting bokeh simpler. The more modern TL will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica TL vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications
Leica TL | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Panasonic |
Model type | Leica TL | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2016-11-08 | 2012-09-17 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | - | Venus Engine VII FHD |
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 | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 12500 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Leica L | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 4 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 1,230 thousand dot | 614 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | - | OLED Monitor with static touch control |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,744 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.67x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 60s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames per second | 20.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.50 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 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 | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
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 pounds) | 550 gr (1.21 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 71 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 812 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 400 photos | 540 photos |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BP-DC13 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $1,009 | $799 |