Leica CL versus Panasonic GX80

The Leica CL (Typ 7323) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 (labelled Panasonic GX85 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in November 2017 and April 2016. Both the CL and the GX80 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an APS-C (CL) and a Four Thirds (GX80) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24.1 megapixel, whereas the Panasonic provides 15.8 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Leica CL vs Panasonic GX80

The physical size and weight of the Leica CL and the Panasonic GX80 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter. If you prefer, you can also use the toggle button to switch to a comparison in percentage terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the CL – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic GX80 is notably smaller (15 percent) than the Leica CL. However, the GX80 is markedly heavier (6 percent) than the CL. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the CL nor the GX80 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the CL gets 220 shots out of its BP-DC12 battery, while the GX80 can take 290 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLG10 power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Leica CL»	5.2 in	3.1 in	1.8 in	14.2 oz	220	n	Nov 2017	2,795			Leica CL
	Panasonic GX80«	4.8 in	2.8 in	1.7 in	15.0 oz	290	n	Apr 2016	799			Panasonic GX80
	Fujifilm X-T100« »	4.8 in	3.3 in	1.9 in	15.8 oz	430	n	May 2018	599			Fujifilm X-T100
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.5 oz	350	n	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.0 oz	410	n	Aug 2016	399			Fujifilm X-A3
	Leica C-LUX« »	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.8 in	12.0 oz	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Leica TL2« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	14.1 oz	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950			Leica TL2
	Leica TL« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	13.5 oz	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695	-		Leica TL
	Leica T« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	13.5 oz	400	n	Apr 2014	1,850	-		Leica T
	Nikon D3500« »	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	12.9 oz	1550	n	Aug 2018	429			Nikon D3500
	Nikon D5600« »	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	16.4 oz	970	n	Nov 2016	699			Nikon D5600
	Nikon D3400« »	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.7 oz	1200	n	Aug 2016	499	-		Nikon D3400
	Olympus E-M10 II« »	4.7 in	3.3 in	1.9 in	13.8 oz	320	n	Aug 2015	799	-		Olympus E-M10 II
	Olympus E-M10« »	4.7 in	3.2 in	1.8 in	14.0 oz	320	n	Jan 2014	699	-		Olympus E-M10
	Panasonic GX9« »	4.9 in	2.8 in	1.9 in	14.4 oz	260	n	Feb 2018	849			Panasonic GX9
	Panasonic G80« »	5.0 in	3.5 in	2.9 in	17.8 oz	330	Y	Sep 2016	899			Panasonic G80
	Panasonic GX7« »	4.8 in	2.8 in	2.2 in	14.2 oz	350	n	Aug 2013	999	-		Panasonic GX7
Convert to Metric

The camera’s price is obviously a critical decision-making factor. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The GX80 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 71 percent) than the CL, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Leica CL vs Panasonic GX80

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica CL features an APS-C sensor and the Panasonic GX80 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the GX80 is 39 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the CL has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GX80 offers a 4:3 aspect.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 24.1MP, the CL offers a higher resolution than the GX80 (15.8MP), but the CL nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 3.77μm for the GX80) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the CL is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 7 months) than the GX80, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison: Leica CL vs Panasonic GX80

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the GX80 offers a higher resolution than the one in the CL (2765k vs 2360k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica CL and Panasonic GX80 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras. If you need more detail on the specs, you can find comprehensive listings, for example, in the dpreview camera hub.

One feature that is present on the CL, but is missing on the GX80 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed and shutter burst refer to the use of the mechanical shutter. In addition, both cameras feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (flickering).

Both the CL and the GX80 write their imaging data to SDXC cards.

Both the CL and the GX80 are current models that good online retailers will have in stock. You can check the latest prices, for example, at amazon. The GX80 replaced the earlier Panasonic GX7, while the CL does not have a direct predecessor.

Review summary: Leica CL vs Panasonic GX80

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Leica CL or the Panasonic GX80 – has the upper hand? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Leica CL (Typ 7323):

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (24.1 vs 15.8MP) with a 26% higher linear resolution.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (8000/sec vs 4000/sec) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 7 months after the GX80).

Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80:

• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2765k vs 2360k dots).
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More compact: Is smaller (122x71mm vs 131x78mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (290 versus 220) out of a single battery charge.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology build-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (71 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in April 2016).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the GX80 emerges as the winner of the match-up (9 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the CL or the GX80 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Leica CL»	-	-	-	-	4/5	Nov 2017	2,795			Leica CL
	Panasonic GX80«	HiRec	82/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2016	799			Panasonic GX80
	Fujifilm X-T100« »	Rec	79/100	4/5	-	4.5/5	May 2018	599			Fujifilm X-T100
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	HiRec	82/100	5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899			Fujifilm X-T20
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	-	74/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Aug 2016	399			Fujifilm X-A3
	Leica C-LUX« »	-	-	-	-	4/5	Jun 2018	1,049			Leica C-LUX
	Leica TL2« »	-	-	4/5	-	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950			Leica TL2
	Leica TL« »	-	-	-	-	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695	-		Leica TL
	Leica T« »	-	-	4/5	-	4/5	Apr 2014	1,850	-		Leica T
	Nikon D3500« »	-	-	-	-	-	Aug 2018	429			Nikon D3500
	Nikon D5600« »	-	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2016	699			Nikon D5600
	Nikon D3400« »	Rec	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499	-		Nikon D3400
	Olympus E-M10 II« »	HiRec	80/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Aug 2015	799	-		Olympus E-M10 II
	Olympus E-M10« »	-	80/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2014	699	-		Olympus E-M10
	Panasonic GX9« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Feb 2018	849			Panasonic GX9
	Panasonic G80« »	HiRec	84/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	899			Panasonic G80
	Panasonic GX7« »	Rec	79/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2013	999	-		Panasonic GX7

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting. If the camera you are interested in is not available, kindly get in touch, and I will try to add information on that model to the database.

You are here:  Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Leica CL vs Panasonic GX80