

Canon Canonet QL17 GIII which cost $135.00Ĭonclusion When it comes down to it, it’s crazy we’re comparing a $5,000 camera to a $200 camera. Leica MP + 35mm f/2 Summicron which is roughly a $5,000 combo vs. Portra 160 shot at box speed and used an external light meter – all the same exposures. vs Canonet QL17 GIII Photo Comparison Portra 160 at box speed Of course, you also get incredible image quality with Leica-even better-when considering all the high-end lenses they offer. Since it has a max aperture of f/1.7 it’s also great in low light situations and produces very pleasant bokeh. Despite being a cheap fixed lens camera, the Canonet produces incredibly sharp images. Yes, when it comes to building quality, Leica definitely has the Canonet beat but when it comes to the quality of the images they produce it’s much closer.

While totally subjective, the great equalizer of these two cameras is the quality of images they produce. The Canonet wins hands down when it comes to affordability, but pales in comparison to the versatility of Leica Rangefinders. This means it can flash sync at all of its shutter speeds, unlike Leica’s 1/60th or below. The Canonet’s 40mm f/1.7 lens is also a leaf shutter. With its quick load feature, it’s much faster and easier to load than a Leica as well. The Canonet is much smaller making it great for travel and everyday shooting. The Canonet does have a few advantages over Leicas though. Since Mercury batteries aren’t made anymore, you need to use a modern-day 1.5-volt Alkaline battery which can affect the light meter a little bit. Lastly, Leicas can use modern-day batteries while Canonet’s are older and use Mercury-based batteries. Leica rangefinders have a max shutter speed of 1/1000 which is one stop faster than the Canonet’s 1/500th. Leica rangefinder viewfinders are much larger and brighter than the Canonet’s, making them easier to compose and focus quickly. When it comes to viewfinders Leica also has the Canonet beat. Most Leica’s have in-camera light meters which are much more precise than the Canonet’s external light meter which is located on the front of the lens and can be confused by backlit scenes. Unlike Canonet’s fixed 40mm f/1.7 lens, Leica rangefinders have interchangeable lenses. Overall, Leica is a much more versatile camera. But considering how inexpensive the Canonet really is, it’s a really good camera. While there is a major price difference between the Canonet and the Leica, the extra cost comes with value. Leica glass can range from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars. Depending on what model you’re looking to buy, used Leica bodies start (at the low end) around $500, and brand new bodies can get all the way up to $4,500-not including a lens. Leica has made many rangefinders over the years and has a wide selection of lenses. When purchasing a Leica there is a lot more to consider. You can usually buy them for well under $200, and since the Canonet has a fixed lens, that means you get both a camera body and a lens at that low cost. Let’s get it out of the way: the Canon Canonet QL17 GIII is cheap. So if you’re trying to decide whether to spring for a Leica or get the most out of a Canonet, we’ve put together a caparison to help with your decision. What is a rangefinder? It’s a camera with a range-finding focusing mechanism that shows two images enabling the photographer to measure the subject’s distance and take photographs that are in sharp focus.īoth are great cameras it just depends on what you’re looking for and what your budget will allow.
