Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 vs Leica M9

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 and the Leica M9, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 was introduced in February 2011 and Leica M9 was introduced in September 2009. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 over Leica M9.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica M9 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 has a 3.0" screen with 460k dot resolution and Leica M9 has a 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment

Optical (rangefinder) Viewfinder on Leica M9

Leica M9 has a built-in Optical (rangefinder) viewfinder. It has a and 0.68x magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 features a 12 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400. Leica M9 features a 18.0 megapixel Full Frame CCD sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 2,500.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is equipped with Venus Engine FHD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 2992 x 2992, 2816 x 2112, 2816 x 1880, 2816 x 1584, 2112 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 1600 x 1064, 1600 x 904, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Leica M9 can take pictures up to 5212 x 3472 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3840 x 2592, 2592 x 1728, 1728 x 1152, 1280 x 846 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Leica M9 has Leica M lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 its crop factor is equal to 2x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2. Due to Full Frame sensor in Leica M9 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.

No Low-Pass Filter on Leica M9

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Leica M9. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica M9 nothing can be done. On Leica M9 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 nothing can be done.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

External Storage Slots

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot. Leica M9 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica M9. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 can shoot continuously up to 2.6 fps. Leica M9 can shoot continuously up to 2.0 fps.

Flash

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Leica M9 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 and 1/180 sec on Leica M9.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 body has dimensions of 113 x 68 x 33 mm (4.45 x 2.68 x 1.3") and Leica M9 body has dimensions of 139 x 80 x 37 mm (5.47 x 3.15 x 1.46"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 weighs 310 g (0.68 lb / 10.93 oz) and Leica M9 weighs 585 g (1.29 lb / 20.64 oz).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Leica M9

113 mm

68 mm

139 mm

80 mm

68 mm

80 mm

33 mm

37 mm