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Canon M vs Leica SL2-S

Portability
89
Imaging
60
Features
65
Overall
62
Canon EOS M front
 
Leica SL2-S front
Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
84
Overall
79

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S Key Specs

Canon M
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF-M Mount
  • 298g - 109 x 66 x 32mm
  • Announced July 2012
Leica SL2-S
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 931g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Revealed December 2020
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Canon M and Leica SL2-S, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Canon and Leica. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the M (18MP) and SL2-S (24MP) and the M (APS-C) and SL2-S (Full frame) boast different sensor sizes.

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The M was brought out 9 years earlier than the SL2-S which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Canon M being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Leica SL2-S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the M matches up versus the SL2-S in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon M over the Leica SL2-S

 M SL2-S 

Reasons to pick Leica SL2-S over the Canon M

 SL2-S M 
RevealedDecember 2020July 2012Newer by 102 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1040kCrisper display (+1060k dot)

Common features in the Canon M and Leica SL2-S

 M SL2-S 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon M has got physical measurements of 109mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs) whilst the Leica SL2-S has dimensions of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") along with a weight of 931 grams (2.05 lbs).

See the Canon M and Leica SL2-S in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the M against the SL2-S.

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M and SL2-S is 89 and 55 respectively.

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S top view buttons comparison

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through specs. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the M and SL2-S.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The M because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Leica SL2-S will result in more detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged M will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S sensor size comparison

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S Screen and ViewFinder

Canon M vs Leica SL2-S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon M
Portrait photography with Leica SL2-S
76
you can focus manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focus
exports RAW files
86
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon M Street photography factors
Leica SL2-S Street photography factors
72
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
has touch focus
fixed screen
no image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (50,000)
screen does not articulate
heavier than competition in class (931 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon M as a Sports photography camera
Leica SL2-S as a Sports photography camera
55
good resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
83
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
max fps high (20.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (510 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon M Travel photography factors
Leica SL2-S Travel photography factors
63
has touch focus
good resolution (18 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (230 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
better than average battery life (510 CIPA)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with touch focus
resolution is good (24MP)
heavier than competition in class (931 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Canon M Landscape photography features
Leica SL2-S Landscape photography features
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Canon EF-M mount)
nice screen size (3")
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (50,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery life (510 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon M as a Vlogging camera
Leica SL2-S as a Vlogging camera
37
touchscreen
has face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
32
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (931 grams)
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Canon M vs Leica SL2-S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon M and Leica SL2-S
 Canon EOS MLeica SL2-S
General Information
Brand Canon Leica
Model type Canon EOS M Leica SL2-S
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-07-23 2020-12-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 22.3 x 14.9mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 5184 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 12800 50000
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 31 225
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF-M Leica L
Number of lenses 23 36
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 2,100 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology Clear View II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 5,760 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 1800s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/200s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 298 gr (0.66 lbs) 931 gr (2.05 lbs)
Physical dimensions 109 x 66 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 827 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images 510 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E12 BP-SCL4
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1)
Storage slots One Two
Retail cost $510 $4,895