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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica CL and the Panasonic GX80 is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also use the toggle button to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left side – the CL – represents the basis for the calculations 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.

Convert to MetricCamera 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)
	Leica CL»	5.2 in	3.1 in	1.8 in	14.2 oz	220	n	Nov 2017	2,795
	Panasonic GX80«	4.8 in	2.8 in	1.7 in	15.0 oz	290	n	Apr 2016	799
	Canon M5« »	4.6 in	3.5 in	2.4 in	15.1 oz	295	n	Sep 2016	979
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	4.8 in	2.9 in	1.7 in	11.9 oz	350	n	Sep 2017	899
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.5 oz	350	n	Jan 2017	899
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.0 oz	410	n	Aug 2016	399
	Leica C-LUX« »	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.8 in	12.0 oz	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049
	Leica M10« »	5.5 in	3.1 in	1.5 in	23.3 oz	210	n	Jan 2017	6,595
	Leica TL2« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	14.1 oz	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950
	Leica TL« »	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	13.5 oz	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695	-
	Nikon D3400« »	4.9 in	3.9 in	3.0 in	15.7 oz	1200	n	Aug 2016	499
	Nikon D5600« »	4.9 in	3.8 in	2.8 in	16.4 oz	970	n	Nov 2016	699
	Olympus E-M10 II« »	4.7 in	3.3 in	1.9 in	13.8 oz	320	n	Aug 2015	799	-
	Olympus E-M5 II« »	4.9 in	3.3 in	1.8 in	16.5 oz	310	Y	Feb 2015	1,099
	Panasonic GX9« »	4.9 in	2.8 in	1.9 in	14.4 oz	260	n	Feb 2018	849
	Panasonic G80« »	5.0 in	3.5 in	2.9 in	17.8 oz	330	Y	Sep 2016	899
	Panasonic GX7« »	4.8 in	2.8 in	2.2 in	14.2 oz	350	n	Aug 2013	999	-

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color depth than smaller pixels 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to 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.

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.

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. 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. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison: Leica CL vs Panasonic GX80

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range 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 adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica CL and Panasonic GX80 along with similar information for a selection of comparators. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

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 how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Leica CL or the Panasonic GX80 – has the upper hand? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of 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: Has 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).

Arguments in favor 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.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology build-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• 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 number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GX80 comes out slightly ahead of the CL (8 : 7 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the CL and the GX80 in practical situations. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). You can find the full text of the reviews by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review scores
	Camera						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)
	Leica CL»	-	-	-	-	4/5	Nov 2017	2,795
	Panasonic GX80«	HiRec	82/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Apr 2016	799
	Canon M5« »	Rec	82/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2016	979
	Fujifilm X-E3« »	Rec	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2017	899
	Fujifilm X-T20« »	HiRec	82/100	5/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	899
	Fujifilm X-A3« »	-	74/100	4.5/5	-	4/5	Aug 2016	399
	Leica C-LUX« »	-	-	-	-	-	Jun 2018	1,049
	Leica M10« »	-	-	4/5	-	4.5/5	Jan 2017	6,595
	Leica TL2« »	-	-	4/5	-	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950
	Leica TL« »	-	-	-	-	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695	-
	Nikon D3400« »	Rec	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	499
	Nikon D5600« »	-	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2016	699
	Olympus E-M10 II« »	HiRec	80/100	5/5	5/5	5/5	Aug 2015	799	-
	Olympus E-M5 II« »	HiRec	81/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Feb 2015	1,099
	Panasonic GX9« »	Rec	-	4.5/5	-	4.5/5	Feb 2018	849
	Panasonic G80« »	HiRec	84/100	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	899
	Panasonic GX7« »	Rec	79/100	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2013	999	-

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when refering 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 a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting. If you do not see the camera that you are looking for, kindly get in touch, and I will try to locate and add the respective data to the application.

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