Updated (November, 2011): Compare the Leica X1 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Leica X1

42

Winner

Leica X1

"Straightforward control layout with analogue-style shutter speed and aperture dials"
dpreview.com | talking about the X1's button-layout
"Good quality build, but still relatively small and lightweight"
dpreview.com | talking about the X1's build-quality

Reasons to buy the Leica X1

Sensor size
Large sensor
APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
Usually standard
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

32

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
External flash not needed
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Leica X1

Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.6x15.8mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
More than 50% larger sensor
Size Slightly smaller 124x60x32 mm vs 119x71x36 mm
Help
More than 20% smaller
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.4"
Help
More than 10% thinner
Weight Slightly lighter 306 g vs 330 g
Help
Around 10% lighter
Leica X1 Learn more about
the Leica X1

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF1

Screen size Significantly larger screen 3.0" vs 2.7"
Help
More than 10% larger screen
Movie format Shoots movies 720p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots HD (720p) video as well as still pictures
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
Automatically focuses shooting video
Screen resolution Higher resolution screen 460k dots vs 230k dots
Help
2x higher resolution screen
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
True resolution Higher true resolution 12 MP vs 11 MP
Help
Capture around 10% more detail in your photos
Lowest price Cheaper $1,125.00 vs $2,241.76
Help
The best price we've seen is $1,117 cheaper (around 50% less)
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Fastest shutter speed Significantly faster max shutter speed 1/4000s vs 1/2000s
Help
2x faster max shutter speed
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Leica X1 Leica X1
42 vs 32
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Leica X1. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a boutique with a mirrorless interchangeable-lens.

advice

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similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Sensor size Large sensors Help
X1:APS-C 23.6x15.8mm
DMC-GF1:Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Sensor type Better sensor types Help
Better in low light
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
X1:30s
DMC-GF1:60s
Lowest price Very expensive Help
X1:$2,241.76
DMC-GF1:$1,125.00
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Movie format One shoots movies Help
X1:None
DMC-GF1:720p @ 30fps

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$739 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Fujifilm FinePix X100

Fujifilm FinePix X100

Boutique

$1,199

Aperture Has a significantly wider aperture
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Thickness Is thicker
Startup delay Has significantly more startup delay
Canon PowerShot G1X

Canon PowerShot G1X

Boutique

$799 - $800

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Thickness Is thicker
Battery life Has a slightly shorter battery life
Fujifilm Finepix X10

Fujifilm Finepix X10

Pro digicam

$599

Aperture Has a significantly wider aperture
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Thickness Is thicker
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Nikon 1 V1

Nikon 1 V1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$797 - $947 with 10-30mm lens

Movie format Records higher quality movies
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$350

Aperture Has a significantly wider aperture
Wide angle Has a much wider wide angle lens
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Sensor size Has a slightly smaller sensor

Leica X1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Leica X2

Leica X2

Boutique

$2,620 - $2,621

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Size Larger
Thickness Thicker
Leica D-LUX 5

Leica D-LUX 5

Pro digicam

$799

Wide angle Much better wide angle
Macro focus Much better macro capability
Sensor size Much smaller sensor
Sensor type Has a CCD-family sensor
Fujifilm X-Pro1

Fujifilm X-Pro1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,991 - $2,298 body only

Screen resolution Much higher resolution screen
Movie format Shoots movies
Size Larger
Built-in flash No built-in flash

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Overall image quality Slightly worse image quality
Color depth Worse color depth
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$376 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Battery life Shorter battery life
Sensor size Slightly smaller sensor
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Screen size Significantly smaller screen
Screen resolution Lower resolution screen

appearance

Leica X1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Leica X1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Leica X1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

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