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Canon R vs Leica SL

Portability
62
Imaging
78
Features
88
Overall
82
Canon EOS R front
 
Leica SL front
Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74

Canon R vs Leica SL Key Specs

Canon R
(Full Review)
  • 30MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 40000 (Boost to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Canon RF Mount
  • 660g - 136 x 98 x 84mm
  • Launched September 2018
Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Also Known as Typ 601
  • New Model is Leica SL2
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Canon R vs Leica SL Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Canon R and Leica SL, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Canon and Leica. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the R (30MP) and SL (24MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor size (Full frame).

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The R was introduced 2 years later than the SL and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the R matches up against the SL with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon R over the Leica SL

 R SL 
AnnouncedSeptember 2018October 2015Fresher by 35 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1040kCrisper screen (+1060k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Canon R

 SL R 

Common features in the Canon R and Leica SL

 R SL 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Canon R vs Leica SL Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Canon R features outer dimensions of 136mm x 98mm x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) and the Leica SL has sizing of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon R and Leica SL in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the R and the SL.

Canon R vs Leica SL size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the R and SL is 62 and 67 respectively.

Canon R vs Leica SL top view buttons comparison

Canon R vs Leica SL Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the R and SL.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Canon R to deliver extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The fresher R provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Canon R vs Leica SL sensor size comparison

Canon R vs Leica SL Screen and ViewFinder

Canon R vs Leica SL Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon R Portrait photography highlights
Leica SL Portrait photography highlights
86
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is excellent (30MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
83
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon R as a Street photography camera
Leica SL as a Street photography camera
73
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus via touch
weather sealing
great high ISO (40,000)
lack of image stabilization
69
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
weather proof
good high ISO (50,000)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon R Sports photography advice
Leica SL Sports photography advice
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is excellent (30MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (370 shots)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (400 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon R Travel photography information
Leica SL Travel photography information
73
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is excellent (30MP)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery (370 per charge)
65
weather proof
supports focus via touch
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (400 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon R
Landscape photography with Leica SL
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Canon RF mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
sensor resolution is excellent (30 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (40,000)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (370 CIPA)
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (50,000)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (400 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon R Vlogging highlights
Leica SL Vlogging highlights
73
display is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
offers face detection autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone support
lack of image stabilization
33
touchscreen capability
features face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Canon R vs Leica SL Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon R and Leica SL
 Canon EOS RLeica SL
General Information
Brand Name Canon Leica
Model type Canon EOS R Leica SL
Alternative name - Typ 601
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2018-09-05 2015-10-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Maestro II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 30MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6720 x 4480 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 40000 50000
Maximum enhanced ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 50
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 5655 49
Lens
Lens support Canon RF Leica L
Number of lenses 17 30
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 2,100 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot 4,400 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.8x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 8.0fps 11.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 480 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 4096x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (with LP-E6N only) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 660 grams (1.46 pounds) 847 grams (1.87 pounds)
Physical dimensions 136 x 98 x 84mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 3.3") 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 89 88
DXO Color Depth rating 24.5 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.5 13.4
DXO Low light rating 2742 1821
Other
Battery life 370 shots 400 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP-SCL4
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1)
Storage slots One 2
Pricing at release $2,299 $7,450