Leica SL2 vs Panasonic GH5s

The Leica SL2 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2019 and January 2018. Both the SL2 and the GH5s are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a full frame (SL2) and a Four Thirds (GH5s) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 46.7 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 9.9 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Leica SL2		Panasonic GH5s
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Leica L mount lenses		Micro Four Thirds lenses
46.7 MP, Full Frame Sensor		9.9 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
4K/60p Video		4K/60p Video
ISO 100-50,000		ISO 160-51,200 (80 - 204,800)
Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (3680k dots)
3.2 LCD, 2100k dots		3.2 LCD, 1620k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
10 shutter flaps per second		12 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		Lens stabilization only
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
370 shots per battery charge		440 shots per battery charge
146 x 107 x 42 mm, 953 g		139 x 98 x 87 mm, 660 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL2 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica SL2 and the Panasonic GH5s. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic GH5s is notably smaller (13 percent) than the Leica SL2. Moreover, the GH5s is markedly lighter (31 percent) than the SL2. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

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 and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The power pack in the SL2 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica SL2	146 mm	107 mm	42 mm	953 g	370	Y	Nov 2019	5,999
2.		Panasonic GH5s	139 mm	98 mm	87 mm	660 g	440	Y	Jan 2018	2,499
3.		Leica SL2-S	146 mm	107 mm	83 mm	931 g	510	Y	Dec 2020	4,895
4.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	4,995
5.		Leica SL	147 mm	104 mm	39 mm	847 g	400	Y	Oct 2015	7,450
6.		Nikon Z7	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	330	Y	Aug 2018	3,399
7.		Olympus E-M1X	144 mm	147 mm	75 mm	997 g	870	Y	Jan 2019	2,999
8.		Panasonic S1	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1017 g	400	Y	Feb 2019	2,499
9.		Panasonic S1R	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1016 g	380	Y	Feb 2019	3,699
10.		Panasonic S1H	151 mm	114 mm	110 mm	1052 g	400	Y	May 2019	3,999
11.		Panasonic G9	137 mm	97 mm	92 mm	658 g	400	Y	Nov 2017	1,699
12.		Panasonic GH5	139 mm	98 mm	87 mm	725 g	410	Y	Jan 2017	1,999
13.		Panasonic FZ330	132 mm	92 mm	117 mm	691 g	380	Y	Jul 2015	599
14.		Panasonic GH4	133 mm	93 mm	84 mm	560 g	500	Y	Feb 2014	1,499
15.		Panasonic GH3	133 mm	93 mm	82 mm	550 g	540	Y	Sep 2012	1,299
16.		Pentax K-1 II	137 mm	110 mm	86 mm	1010 g	670	Y	Feb 2018	1,999
17.		Sony A99 II	143 mm	104 mm	76 mm	849 g	490	Y	Sep 2016	3,199
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The GH5s was launched at a markedly lower price (by 58 percent) than the SL2, 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.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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 SL2 features a full frame sensor and the Panasonic GH5s a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the GH5s is 74 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor in the SL2 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the GH5s offers a 4:3 aspect.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors.

With 46.7MP, the SL2 offers a higher resolution than the GH5s (9.9MP), but the SL2 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.30μm versus 4.77μm for the GH5s). However, the SL2 is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 9 months) than the GH5s, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that 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.

The resolution advantage of the Leica SL2 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SL2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.8 x 27.9 inches or 106.3 x 70.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33.5 x 22.3 inches or 85 x 56.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.9 x 18.6 inches or 70.8 x 47.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic GH5s are 18.4 x 13.5 inches or 46.7 x 34.3 cm for good quality, 14.7 x 10.8 inches or 37.4 x 27.4 cm for very good quality, and 12.3 x 9 inches or 31.2 x 22.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the GH5s, the SL2 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (187MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Leica SL2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000, which can be extended to ISO 50-50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s are ISO 160 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-204800.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica SL2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
2.		Panasonic GH5s	Four Thirds	9.9	3680	2700	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
3.		Leica SL2-S	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
4.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
5.		Leica SL	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	13.4	1821	88
6.		Nikon Z7	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.3	14.6	2668	99
7.		Olympus E-M1X	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
8.		Panasonic S1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.5	3333	95
9.		Panasonic S1R	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	26.4	14.1	3525	100
10.		Panasonic S1H	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	..	..	..	..
11.		Panasonic G9	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
12.		Panasonic GH5	Four Thirds	20.2	5184	3888	4K/60p	23.9	13.0	807	77
13.		Panasonic FZ330	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	4K/30p	19.3	11.0	97	38
14.		Panasonic GH4	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	23.2	12.8	791	74
15.		Panasonic GH3	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/60p	22.7	12.4	812	71
16.		Pentax K-1 II	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/60i	..	..	..	..
17.		Sony A99 II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	25.4	13.4	2317	92

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. 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/60p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the SL2 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the GH5s (5760k vs 3680k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica SL2, the Panasonic GH5s, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Leica SL2	5760	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
2.		Panasonic GH5s	3680	n	3.2	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	n
3.		Leica SL2-S	5760	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
4.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	20.0	n	Y
5.		Leica SL	4400	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
6.		Nikon Z7	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
7.		Olympus E-M1X	2360	n	3.0	1037	swivel	Y	1/8000s	18.0	n	Y
8.		Panasonic S1	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
9.		Panasonic S1R	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
10.		Panasonic S1H	5760	Y	3.2	2330	swivel	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
11.		Panasonic G9	3680	Y	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
12.		Panasonic GH5	3680	n	3.2	1620	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y
13.		Panasonic FZ330	1440	n	3.0	1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
14.		Panasonic GH4	2359	n	3.0	1036	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0	Y	n
15.		Panasonic GH3	1746	n	3.0	614	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
16.		Pentax K-1 II	optical	Y	3.2	1037	full-flex	n	1/8000s	4.4	n	Y
17.		Sony A99 II	2400	Y	3.0	1229	full-flex	n	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y

One feature that is present on the SL2, but is missing on the GH5s 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 information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica SL2 and the Panasonic GH5s both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the SL2 and the GH5s write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Moreover, both the SL2 and the GH5s support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s, on both slots.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica SL2 and Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica SL2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
2.		Panasonic GH5s	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
3.		Leica SL2-S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
5.		Leica SL	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	-
6.		Nikon Z7	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
7.		Olympus E-M1X	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.0	Y	-	Y
8.		Panasonic S1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
9.		Panasonic S1R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
10.		Panasonic S1H	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
11.		Panasonic G9	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	Y
12.		Panasonic GH5	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
13.		Panasonic FZ330	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Panasonic GH4	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
15.		Panasonic GH3	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
16.		Pentax K-1 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
17.		Sony A99 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

Both the SL2 and the GH5s are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The SL2 replaced the earlier Leica SL (Typ 601), while the GH5s does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica SL2 and the Panasonic GH5s? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Leica SL2:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (46.7 vs 9.9MP) with a 120% higher linear resolution.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 3680k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.76x).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1620k dots).
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 9 months after the GH5s).

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5s:

• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (12 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More compact: Is smaller (139x98mm vs 146x107mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 293g or 31 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (440 versus 370) out of a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (58 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2018).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SL2 is the clear winner of the match-up (14 : 8 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. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica SL2 and the Panasonic GH5s place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the SL2 or the GH5s. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica SL2	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2019	5,999
2.		Panasonic GH5s	..	..	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2018	2,499
3.		Leica SL2-S	4/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	Dec 2020	4,895
4.		Leica Q2	..	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	4,995
5.		Leica SL	4/5	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Oct 2015	7,450
6.		Nikon Z7	5/5	+	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	3,399
7.		Olympus E-M1X	4.5/5	o	..	4.5/5	..	Jan 2019	2,999
8.		Panasonic S1	4.5/5	+ +	88/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	2,499
9.		Panasonic S1R	4.5/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	3,699
10.		Panasonic S1H	..	..	90/100	..	..	May 2019	3,999
11.		Panasonic G9	..	+ +	85/100	5/5	5/5	Nov 2017	1,699
12.		Panasonic GH5	4.5/5	+ +	85/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2017	1,999
13.		Panasonic FZ330	..	+ +	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2015	599
14.		Panasonic GH4	5/5	+ +	85/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2014	1,499
15.		Panasonic GH3	5/5	+ +	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	1,299
16.		Pentax K-1 II	..	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2018	1,999
17.		Sony A99 II	..	..	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	3,199
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. 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? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, 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.

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Specifications: Leica SL2 vs Panasonic GH5s

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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