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Leica S1 vs Panasonic L1

The Leica S1 Pro and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in August 1996 and February 2006. The S1 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the L1 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a medium format (S1) and a Four Thirds (L1) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 26.4 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 7.4 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Leica S1
versus
Panasonic L1
Leica S1   Panasonic L1
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Leica R mount lenses Four Thirds lenses
26.4 MP – Medium Format sensor 7.4 MP – Four Thirds sensor
no Video no Video
ISO 50-1,600 ISO 100-1,600
Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
no LCD 2.5" LCD – 207k dots
no rear screen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
0.01 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
339 x 214 x 119 mm, 2500 g 146 x 87 x 64 mm, 606 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica S1 Pro and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1? 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.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica S1 and the Panasonic L1 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica S1 vs Panasonic L1
Compare S1 versus L1 top
Comparison S1 or L1 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic L1 is considerably smaller (82 percent) than the Leica S1. Moreover, the L1 is substantially lighter (76 percent) than the S1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the S1 nor the L1 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. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Leica R Lens Catalog (S1) and the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (L1). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Leica S1, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S1 339 mm 214 mm 119 mm 2500 g .. n Aug 1996 US$ 21 499ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic L1 146 mm 87 mm 64 mm 606 g 750 n Feb 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon RP 133 mm 85 mm 70 mm 485 g 250 n Feb 2019 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL3 122 mm 93 mm 70 mm 449 g 1070 n Apr 2019 US$ 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon XT 127 mm 94 mm 64 mm 540 g 400 n Feb 2005 US$ 899ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 118 mm 83 mm 47 mm 383 g 380 n Feb 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
7.
 
Leica CL 131 mm 78 mm 45 mm 403 g 220 n Nov 2017 US$ 2 795ebay.com
8.
 
Leica Digilux 3 146 mm 87 mm 77 mm 606 g 750 n Sep 2006 US$ 1 499ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Jun 2019 US$ 3 999ebay.com
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 116 130 mm 80 mm 93 mm 640 g 300 n Jun 2015 US$ 4 249ebay.com
11.
 
Leica S2 160 mm 120 mm 80 mm 1410 g .. Y Sep 2008 US$ 22 999ebay.com
12.
 
Leica TL2 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 399 g 250 n Jul 2017 US$ 1 949ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-300 147 mm 85 mm 64 mm 624 g 750 n Sep 2004 US$ 799ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-330 140 mm 87 mm 72 mm 637 g 750 n Jan 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic L10 135 mm 96 mm 78 mm 556 g 450 n Aug 2007 US$ 599ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A6100 120 mm 67 mm 59 mm 396 g 420 n Aug 2019 US$ 749ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A6400 120 mm 67 mm 50 mm 403 g 410 Y Jan 2019 US$ 899 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The L1 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 95 percent) than the S1, 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. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and 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 tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica S1 features a medium format sensor and the Panasonic L1 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the L1 is 83 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 0.85 and 2.0. The sensor in the S1 has a native 1:1 aspect ratio, while the one in the L1 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Leica S1 and Panasonic L1 sensor measures

With 26.4MP, the S1 offers a higher resolution than the L1 (7.4MP), but the S1 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 7.01μm versus 5.51μm for the L1) due to its larger sensor. However, the L1 is a much more recent model (by 9 years and 5 months) than the S1, and its sensor will 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 the S1 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica S1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the S1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 25.7 x 25.7 inches or 65.3 x 65.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 20.6 x 20.6 inches or 52.2 x 52.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 17.1 x 17.1 inches or 43.5 x 43.5 cm. The corresponding values for the Panasonic L1 are 15.7 x 11.8 inches or 39.8 x 29.9 cm for good quality, 12.5 x 9.4 inches or 31.9 x 23.9 cm for very good quality, and 10.5 x 7.8 inches or 26.6 x 19.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica S1 Pro has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the S1 is build around a CCD sensor, while the L1 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

S1 versus L1 MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. 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.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica S1 Medium Format 26.4 5140 5140none........
2.
 
Panasonic L1 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.48052
3.
 
Canon RP Full Frame 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.311.9297785
4.
 
Canon SL3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/25p23.913.4179182
5.
 
Canon XT APS-C 8.0 3456 2304none21.810.863760
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T30 APS-C 26.0 6240 41604K/30p24.113.5189583
7.
 
Leica CL APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p24.013.3178882
8.
 
Leica Digilux 3 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none21.010.612753
9.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p25.214.2282194
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 116 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.312.7222185
11.
 
Leica S2 Medium Format 37.5 7500 5000none23.912.5222482
12.
 
Leica TL2 APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p23.913.3175382
13.
 
Olympus E-300 Four Thirds 8.0 3264 2448none20.410.1-4048
14.
 
Olympus E-330 Four Thirds 7.4 3136 2352none20.810.47352
15.
 
Panasonic L10 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.310.842955
16.
 
Sony A6100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.113.6194784
17.
 
Sony A6400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.013.6143183
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
The L1 offers Live View, so that it can project the live image that the sensor receives onto the rear screen for framing. The S1 lacks this capability. Both cameras are still-image focused and cannot record videos.
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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The S1 and the L1 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica S1, the Panasonic L1, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica S1optical nnone / none none n .. 0.01/s n n
2.
 
Panasonic L1optical n2.5 / 207 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
3.
 
Canon RP2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon SL3optical n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
5.
 
Canon XToptical n1.8 / 115 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T302360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
7.
 
Leica CL2360 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
8.
 
Leica Digilux 3optical n2.5 / 207 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
9.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 1163680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
11.
 
Leica S2optical Y3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 1.5/s n n
12.
 
Leica TL2optional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
13.
 
Olympus E-300optical n1.8 / 134 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y n
14.
 
Olympus E-330optical n2.5 / 215 tilting n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Panasonic L10optical n2.5 / 207 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Sony A61001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
17.
 
Sony A64002359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The L1 has one, while the S1 does not. While the built-in flash of the L1 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The S1 writes its imaging data to external storage, while the L1 uses SDHC cards.

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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 S1 Pro and Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica S1-- / --------
2.
 
Panasonic L1Y- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon RPYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon SL3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y-Y
5.
 
Canon XTY- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T30Ystereo / monoY-micro3.1Y-Y
7.
 
Leica CLYstereo / mono----Y--
8.
 
Leica Digilux 3Ystereo / mono---2.0---
9.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240Ymono / ----2.0---
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 116Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Leica S2Y- / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Leica TL2Ystereo / mono--micro3.0Y--
13.
 
Olympus E-300Y- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Olympus E-330Y- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Panasonic L10Y- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Sony A6100Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YYY
17.
 
Sony A6400Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YYY

It is notable that the L1 has a hotshoe, which makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun. The S1 does not feature such an accessory-socket.

Both the S1 and the L1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The S1 was replaced by the Leica S2, while the L1 was followed by the Panasonic L10. 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.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica S1 and the Panasonic L1? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Reasons to prefer the Leica S1 Pro:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (26.4 vs 7.4MP) with a 85% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in August 1996).

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Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Rear screen: Has a backside LCD (2.5") for image review and settings control.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (3 vs 0.01 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More compact: Is smaller (146x87mm vs 339x214mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 1894g or 76 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (95 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 9 years and 5 months of technical progress since the S1 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the L1 is the clear winner of the contest (9 : 5 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 wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

S1 05:09 L1

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica S1 and the Panasonic L1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the S1 or the L1 perform in practice. 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 why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica S1............ Aug 1996 US$ 21 499ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic L1..85/100..+..3.5/5 Feb 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon RP4/5+4/5..4.5/54/5 Feb 2019 US$ 1 299 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon SL34/5o4.5/579/1004/54/5 Apr 2019 US$ 599 amazon.com
5.
 
Canon XT..80/100..+ +o.. Feb 2005 US$ 899ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T305/5+ +5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 US$ 899ebay.com
7.
 
Leica CL....4.2/5....4/5 Nov 2017 US$ 2 795ebay.com
8.
 
Leica Digilux 3............ Sep 2006 US$ 1 499ebay.com
9.
 
Leica M-E Typ 240............ Jun 2019 US$ 3 999ebay.com
10.
 
Leica Q Typ 1165/5....80/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2015 US$ 4 249ebay.com
11.
 
Leica S2............ Sep 2008 US$ 22 999ebay.com
12.
 
Leica TL23.5/5..3/5..4/54/5 Jul 2017 US$ 1 949ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-300......+o4.5/5 Sep 2004 US$ 799ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-330......+o.. Jan 2006 US$ 999ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic L10..85/100..+3.5/54/5 Aug 2007 US$ 599ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A6100....4/582/1004/55/5 Aug 2019 US$ 749ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A64004/5+4/585/1004.5/54/5 Jan 2019 US$ 899 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Leica S1 vs Panasonic L1

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica S1 Panasonic L1
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Leica R mount lenses Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date August 1996 February 2006
    Launch Price USD 21,499 USD 999
    Sensor Specs Leica S1 Panasonic L1
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    Sensor Format Medium Format Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 36.0 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 1296 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 50.9 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 0.85x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 26.4 Megapixels 7.4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5140 x 5140 pixels 3136 x 2352 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 7.01 μm 5.51 μm
    Pixel Density 2.04 MP/cm2 3.28 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video no Video
    ISO Setting 50 - 1,600 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    Screen Specs Leica S1 Panasonic L1
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.47x
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 2.5inch
    LCD Resolution no LCD 207k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Leica S1 Panasonic L1
    Focus System Manual Focus Phase-detect AF
    Continuous Shooting 0.01 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium external SDHC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    Connectivity Specs Leica S1 Panasonic L1
    External Flash no Hotshoe Hotshoe
    USB Connector no USB USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Body Specs Leica S1 Panasonic L1
    Battery Type external Panasonic CGR-S602
    Body Dimensions 339 x 214 x 119 mm
    (13.3 x 8.4 x 4.7 in)
    146 x 87 x 64 mm
    (5.7 x 3.4 x 2.5 in)
    Camera Weight 2500 g (88.2 oz) 606 g (21.4 oz)
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