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 sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24.1 megapixel, whereas the Panasonic provides 15.8 MP.
Body comparison
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.
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 comparisons there.
Camera Body Specifications |
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Camera | Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life (CIPA) |
Weather Sealing (y/n) |
Camera Launch (year) |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price (amazon) |
Used Price (ebay) |
|
Leica CL (⇒ rgt) | 131 mm | 78 mm | 45 mm | 403 g | 220 | no | 2017 | 2,795 | latest | check | |
Panasonic GX80 (⇒ lft) | 122 mm | 71 mm | 44 mm | 426 g | 290 | no | 2016 | 799 | latest | check | |
Canon M5 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 116 mm | 89 mm | 61 mm | 427 g | 295 | no | 2016 | 979 | latest | check | |
Fujifilm X-E3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 121 mm | 74 mm | 43 mm | 337 g | 350 | no | 2017 | 899 | latest | check | |
Fujifilm X-T20 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 118 mm | 83 mm | 41 mm | 383 g | 350 | no | 2017 | 899 | latest | check | |
Fujifilm X-A3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 117 mm | 67 mm | 40 mm | 339 g | 410 | no | 2016 | 399 | latest | check | |
Leica M10 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 139 mm | 80 mm | 39 mm | 660 g | 210 | no | 2017 | 6,595 | latest | check | |
Leica TL2 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 134 mm | 69 mm | 33 mm | 399 g | 250 | no | 2017 | 1,950 | latest | check | |
Leica TL (⇒ lft | rgt) | 134 mm | 69 mm | 33 mm | 384 g | 400 | no | 2016 | 1,695 | discont. | check | |
Leica X Vario (⇒ lft | rgt) | 133 mm | 73 mm | 95 mm | 680 g | 450 | no | 2013 | 2,850 | latest | check | |
Nikon D3400 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 124 mm | 98 mm | 76 mm | 445 g | 1200 | no | 2016 | 499 | latest | check | |
Nikon D5600 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 465 g | 970 | no | 2016 | 699 | latest | check | |
Olympus E-M10 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | 120 mm | 83 mm | 47 mm | 390 g | 320 | no | 2015 | 799 | discont. | check | |
Olympus E-M5 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | 124 mm | 85 mm | 45 mm | 469 g | 310 | YES | 2015 | 1,099 | latest | check | |
Panasonic GX9 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 124 mm | 72 mm | 47 mm | 407 g | 260 | no | 2018 | 849 | latest | check | |
Panasonic G80 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 128 mm | 89 mm | 74 mm | 505 g | 330 | YES | 2016 | 899 | latest | check | |
Panasonic GX7 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 123 mm | 71 mm | 55 mm | 402 g | 350 | no | 2013 | 999 | discont. | check |
The listed 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
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 tent 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.
Sensor Characteristics |
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Camera | Sensor Class |
Resolution (Megapixel) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
Leica CL (⇒ rgt) | APS-C | 24.1 | 6014 | 4014 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Panasonic GX80 (⇒ lft) | Four Thirds | 15.8 | 4592 | 3448 | 4K/30p | 22.9 | 12.6 | 662 | 71 | |
Canon M5 (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.4 | 12.4 | 1262 | 77 | |
Fujifilm X-E3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | - | - | - | - | |
Fujifilm X-T20 (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | - | - | - | - | |
Fujifilm X-A3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | - | - | - | - | |
Leica M10 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | no | 24.4 | 13.2 | 2133 | 86 | |
Leica TL2 (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 24.1 | 6014 | 4014 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Leica TL (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | - | - | - | - | |
Leica X Vario (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3272 | 1080/30p | 23.4 | 12.7 | 1320 | 78 | |
Nikon D3400 (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.8 | 13.9 | 1192 | 86 | |
Nikon D5600 (⇒ lft | rgt) | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 14.0 | 1306 | 84 | |
Olympus E-M10 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | Four Thirds | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 23.1 | 12.5 | 842 | 73 | |
Olympus E-M5 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | Four Thirds | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/60p | 23.0 | 12.5 | 842 | 73 | |
Panasonic GX9 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Panasonic G80 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Four Thirds | 15.8 | 4592 | 3448 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.5 | 656 | 71 | |
Panasonic GX7 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Four Thirds | 15.8 | 4592 | 3448 | 1080/60p | 22.6 | 12.2 | 718 | 70 |
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
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.
Core Features |
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Camera | Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots) |
Control Panel (Y/n) |
LCD Size (inch) |
LCD Resolution ('000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (Y/n) |
Shutter speed (1/sec) |
Shutter flaps (1/sec)) |
Build-in Flash (GN) |
Build-in Image Stab |
|
Leica CL (⇒ rgt) | 2360 | YES | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | YES | 8000 | 10.0 | no | no | |
Panasonic GX80 (⇒ lft) | 2765 | no | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | YES | 4000 | 8.0 | 6 | YES | |
Canon M5 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2360 | no | 3.2 | 1620 | tilting | YES | 4000 | 9.0 | 5 | no | |
Fujifilm X-E3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2360 | no | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | YES | 4000 | 8.0 | no | no | |
Fujifilm X-T20 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2360 | no | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | YES | 4000 | 8.0 | 5 | no | |
Fujifilm X-A3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | no | no | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | YES | 4000 | 6.0 | 7 | no | |
Leica M10 (⇒ lft | rgt) | optical | no | 3.0 | 1037 | fixed | no | 4000 | 5.0 | no | no | |
Leica TL2 (⇒ lft | rgt) | no | no | 3.7 | 1230 | fixed | YES | 4000 | 7.0 | no | no | |
Leica TL (⇒ lft | rgt) | no | no | 3.7 | 1230 | fixed | YES | 4000 | 5.0 | YES | no | |
Leica X Vario (⇒ lft | rgt) | no | no | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | no | 2000 | 5.0 | YES | no | |
Nikon D3400 (⇒ lft | rgt) | optical | no | 3.0 | 921 | fixed | no | 4000 | 5.0 | 7 | no | |
Nikon D5600 (⇒ lft | rgt) | optical | no | 3.2 | 1037 | swivel | YES | 4000 | 5.0 | 12 | no | |
Olympus E-M10 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2360 | no | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | YES | 4000 | 8.0 | 5.8 | YES | |
Olympus E-M5 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2360 | no | 3.0 | 1037 | swivel | YES | 8000 | 10.0 | no | YES | |
Panasonic GX9 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2760 | no | 3.0 | 1240 | tilting | YES | 4000 | 9.0 | 6 | YES | |
Panasonic G80 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2360 | no | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | YES | 4000 | 9.0 | 6.2 | YES | |
Panasonic GX7 (⇒ lft | rgt) | 2760 | no | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | YES | 8000 | 5.0 | 7 | YES |
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.
Summary
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.
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. You can find the full text of the reviews, respectively, at cameralabs.com, dpreview.com, ephotozine.com, imaging-resource.com, and photographyblog.com.
Review scores |
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Camera | camera labs |
dp review |
ephoto zine |
imaging resource |
photography blog |
Camera Launch (year) |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price (amazon) |
Used Price (ebay) |
|
Leica CL (⇒ rgt) | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 2017 | 2,795 | latest | check | |
Panasonic GX80 (⇒ lft) | HiRec | 82/100 Silver | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 2016 | 799 | latest | check | |
Canon M5 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Rec | 82/100 Silver | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 2016 | 979 | latest | check | |
Fujifilm X-E3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Rec | 84/100 Gold | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 2017 | 899 | latest | check | |
Fujifilm X-T20 (⇒ lft | rgt) | HiRec | 82/100 Silver | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 2017 | 899 | latest | check | |
Fujifilm X-A3 (⇒ lft | rgt) | - | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | - | 4/5 | 2016 | 399 | latest | check | |
Leica M10 (⇒ lft | rgt) | - | - | 4/5 | - | 4.5/5 | 2017 | 6,595 | latest | check | |
Leica TL2 (⇒ lft | rgt) | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 2017 | 1,950 | latest | check | |
Leica TL (⇒ lft | rgt) | - | - | - | - | 4/5 | 2016 | 1,695 | discont. | check | |
Leica X Vario (⇒ lft | rgt) | - | - | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 2013 | 2,850 | latest | check | |
Nikon D3400 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Rec | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 2016 | 499 | latest | check | |
Nikon D5600 (⇒ lft | rgt) | - | 79/100 Silver | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 2016 | 699 | latest | check | |
Olympus E-M10 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | HiRec | 80/100 Silver | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 2015 | 799 | discont. | check | |
Olympus E-M5 II (⇒ lft | rgt) | HiRec | 81/100 Silver | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 2015 | 1,099 | latest | check | |
Panasonic GX9 (⇒ lft | rgt) | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 2018 | 849 | latest | check | |
Panasonic G80 (⇒ lft | rgt) | HiRec | 84/100 Gold | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 2016 | 899 | latest | check | |
Panasonic GX7 (⇒ lft | rgt) | Rec | 79/100 Silver | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 2013 | 999 | discont. | check |
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 comparisons
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.
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