Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 vs Leica S2

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2
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      Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and the Leica S2, 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-GH1 was introduced in July 2009 and Leica S2 was introduced in September 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Highlights

      • 12 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 1,600 Native ISO
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fully Articulated Screen
      • Electronic (LVF) Viewfinder
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-in Flash

      Leica S2 Highlights

      • 38 MP Medium format CCD Sensor
      • 80 - 1,250 Native ISO
      • 3.0" 460k dot Fixed Screen
      • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
      • 1.5 fps Continuous Shooting
      Table of Contents
      1. Overview
      2. Pros and Cons
      3. Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
      4. Advantage of Leica S2
      5. Common Strengths and Weaknesses
      6. Screen and Viewfinder
      7. Sensor
      8. Photography Features
      9. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
      10. Other Features
      11. Physical Parameters
      12. For Different Types of Photography
      13. Evaluations
      14. Specifications  

      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.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Leica S2.

      PROS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      •   Video Capture
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Built-in Flash
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Large Sensor
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   High Bit Depth
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      CONS

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   Low Bit Depth
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      •   No Video Capture
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64
      •   Sensor Resolution - 38 Megapixel
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 76

      Advantage of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Panasonic GH1
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 over Leica S2.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 vs Leica S2
      Video Capture vs
      Multi Area Autofocus vs
      Selective Autofocus vs
      Live View Autofocus vs
      Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
      Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Fixed
      Live View vs
      Higher Viewfinder Coverage 100% vs 96%
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 60 sec vs 32 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 3.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
      Built-in Flash vs
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
      Microphone Input vs
      Lighter 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz) vs 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

      Panasonic GH5 II
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.33 MP

      Panasonic GH5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      20.3 MP

      Panasonic GH5S
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      10.28 MP

      Panasonic GH3
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.05 MP

      Panasonic GH6
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      Micro Four Thirds

      25.2 MP

      Panasonic GH2
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16 MP

      Panasonic GH4
      Image cannot be found

      Micro Four Thirds

      16.05 MP

      Sigma sd Quattro
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      APS-C

      29 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Samsung GX-1L
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      APS-C

      6 MP

      Olympus OM-D E-M5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Leica M Edition 60
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      Full Frame

      23.7 MP

      Advantage of Leica S2

      Leica S2
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      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica S2 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 vs Leica S2
      Larger Sensor Micro Four Thirds vs Medium format
      Higher Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixel vs 38 Megapixel
      Lower Native ISO 100 vs 80
      Higher Native ISO 1,600 vs 1,250
      Max Image Resolution 4000 x 3000 vs 7500 x 5000
      Higher Bit Depth 8-Bit vs 16-bit
      Phase Detection for Autofocus vs
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Higher DxO Low Light ISO 772 vs 824
      Higher DxO Color Depth 21.6 vs 23.9
      Higher DxO Dynamic Range 11.6 vs 12.2
      Higher DxO Overall Score 64 vs 76
      Longer Battery Life 320 shots vs 1000 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica S2.

      Leica SL2
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      Full Frame

      47.3 MP

      Leica SL2-S
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      Full Frame

      24.6 MP

      Leica SL Typ 601
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      Full Frame

      24 MP

      Sony a7 II
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      Full Frame

      24.3 MP

      Nikon Z8
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      Full Frame

      45.7 MP

      Canon 5DS
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      Full Frame

      50.6 MP

      Fujifilm GFX 100
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      Medium format

      102 MP

      Nikon D5500
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      APS-C

      24.2 MP

      Sony ZV-E1
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      Full Frame

      12.1 MP

      Olympus PEN E-P5
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      Micro Four Thirds

      16.1 MP

      Sigma SD15
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      APS-C

      5 MP

      Kodak Z5120
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      1/2.3-inch

      16 MP

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      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.

      STRENGTHS Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Leica S2
        HDMI Output
      WEAKNESSES Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Leica S2
        Timelapse Recording
        No Face Detection
        No Image Stabilization
        Low Resolution Screen460k dot460k dot
        Low Max Continuous Shooting3.0 fps1.5 fps
        No Headphone Output
        No Built-in GPS
        No Built-In Wi-Fi
        No Built-In Bluetooth
        No Environmental Sealing

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Leica S2 have 3.0" screens with 460k dot resolution. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a Fully Articulated screen which makes it selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting. Leica S2 has a Fixed screen

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      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 with Fully Articulated screen


      Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a built-in Electronic (LVF) viewfinderLeica S2 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has 100% coverage magnification and Leica S2 has 96% coverage with 0.86x magnification.

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 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 - 1,600 and expands to 100 - 3,200 in boosted mode. Leica S2 features a 38 megapixel Medium format CCD sensor with dimensions of 45 x 30 mm and a total area of 900 mm2. Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,250.


      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
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is equipped with Venus Engine HD processor and can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 3000, 4128 x 2752, 4352 x 2448, 3072 x 1728, 2992 x 2992, 2928 x 1952, 2816 x 2112, 2112 x 2112, 2064 x 1376, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 1504 x 1504 with 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Leica S2 can take pictures up to 7500 x 5000 resolution.


      Lens Mount

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has Micro Four Thirds lens mount and Leica S2 has Leica S lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor in Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 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 Medium format sensor in Leica S2 its crop factor is equal to 0.79x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 0.79.


      No Image Stabilization

      The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica S2 nothing can be done. On Leica S2 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 nothing can be done.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

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


      External Storage Slots

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Leica S2 has a single card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1, and up to 1/4000 sec on Leica S2. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps. Leica S2 can shoot continuously up to 1.5 fps.


      Flash

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 10.50 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Leica S2 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1.

      Physical Parameters

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 body has dimensions of 124 x 90 x 45 mm (4.88 x 3.54 x 1.77") and Leica S2 body has dimensions of 160 x 120 x 81 mm (6.3 x 4.72 x 3.19"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 weighs 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz) and Leica S2 weighs 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz).

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      124 mm

      90 mm

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      160 mm

      120 mm

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      90 mm

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      120 mm

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      45 mm

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      81 mm

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      Size comparisons of Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Leica S2

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Leica S2 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      AVERAGE
      65
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      GOOD
      76
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      AVERAGE
      56
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      AVERAGE
      60
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Wildlife Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      AVERAGE
      55
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      AVERAGE
      58
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Portrait Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      70
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      GOOD
      80
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View

      Street Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      84
      •   Small Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      AVERAGE
      67
      •   Large Sensor
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Live View
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      82
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      POOR
      46
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and Leica S2 and give both of them the score of 63 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      OVERALL
      63
      OVERALL
      63

      Sensor

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      AVERAGE
      64
      •   Small Sensor
      •   Low Resolution Sensor - 12 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,600 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 64
      GOOD
      82
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Sensor Resolution - 38 Megapixel
      •   80 Lowest Native ISO
      •   1,250 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 76

      Photo

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      AVERAGE
      57
      •   Low Bit Depth
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/160 sec
      AVERAGE
      68
      •   High Bit Depth
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 1.5 fps

      Video

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      BAD
      16
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      0
      •   No Image Stabilization

      Focusing

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      AVERAGE
      67
      •   No Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      GOOD
      70
      •   No Face Detection

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      81
      •   Fully Articulated Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot
      GOOD
      71
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 460k dot

      Connectivity

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      GOOD
      78
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      57
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Built-in Microphone
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

      Leica S2

      POOR
      41
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 385 g (0.85 lb / 13.58 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 320 shots
      BAD
      38
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Heavy - 1410 g (3.11 lb / 49.74 oz)
      •   Long Battery Life - 1000 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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