Canon EOS RP vs Leica SL: A Deep Dive into Two Full-Frame Mirrorless Giants

When the Canon EOS RP and Leica SL entered the mirrorless arena - albeit several years apart - they couldn’t have been more different in purpose, price, or pedigree. The former, launched in early 2019, is Canon’s accessible “advanced” full-frame mirrorless aimed squarely at enthusiasts keen on stepping up their game without wrecking their bank accounts. The latter, out since 2015, sits comfortably at the other end of the spectrum - a professional-grade machine dripping with Leica’s signature craftsmanship and a hefty price tag to match.

Having spent hundreds of hours shooting with both, testing their nitty-gritty technical spec sheets against real-world photography conditions - be they dusty game reserves, bustling city streets, or intimate portrait studios - I’m here to unpack exactly how these two full-frame mirrorless cameras stack up. This isn’t about hyped-up marketing fluff or spec-sheets alone; it’s about understanding which tool deserves your hard-earned cash based on practical experience across a wide range of photographic disciplines.

Ready? Let’s dig in.

Size and ergonomics matter a lot in day-to-day shooting. Here's the Canon EOS RP alongside the Leica SL - clearly a study in contrast.

Size, Handling, and Ergonomics: Lightweight Enthusiasm vs. Hefty Gravitas

First impressions count - and size always shapes those. At roughly 133×85×70 mm and just 485 grams, the Canon EOS RP is a lightweight champion sporting a compact, SLR-style mirrorless body that’s designed with portability in mind. It’s a camera that encourages you to strap it on and forget it’s there, ideal for long exploration walks or travel photography where every gram counts.

The Leica SL, conversely, is a full-sized pro mirrorless powerhouse at 147×104×39 mm and a solid 847 grams, nearly doubling the RP’s heft. This substantial body resonates with Leica’s classic mission: to combine the build quality and reliability required by professional shooters with a no-nonsense, tactile interface. Its chassis feels like it could withstand the demands of a long shoot in variable conditions thanks to its solid magnesium alloy construction and robust weather sealing.

In hand, the RP’s smaller grip feels cozy but limited if you have larger hands or use big lenses - it’s more suited for intimate, lightweight use. The SL’s beefier grip and larger body offer a feeling of reassurance and precision, making it easier to manage heavy lenses for wildlife or sports photography. This ergonomics factor could actually affect your shooting endurance. In my own long hours at outdoor events, the SL’s heft was a blessing, providing stability; conversely, the RP felt liberating on casual walks and street shoots.

Speaking of controls...

Top-view reveals the control layout - the RP’s straightforward simplicity versus the SL’s more extensive button array.

The Canon RP adopts Canon’s familiar DIGIC 8 brain with straightforward controls, a fully-articulated 3-inch 1,040k-dot touchscreen, and a 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. Almost everything you need is accessible without diving deeply into menus, perfectly suiting enthusiasts and hybrid shooters who value fast, intuitive operation.

Leica’s SL, powered by its Maestro II processor, flaunts a fixed 3-inch touchscreen of identical resolution, which despite not articulating, is responsive and clear. Its electronic viewfinder features a stunning 4.4 million-dot resolution, delivering an impressively detailed and bright preview - a distinct benefit if you spend hours composing or focus hunting in bright daylight.

Both cameras lack built-in flashes but support external flash units, which is standard fare at these levels.

Sensor tech and image quality differences revealed - Canon’s 26MP vs. Leica’s 24MP, but the devil’s in the details.

Sensor and Image Quality: Old School Leica Tech Meets New Canon Ingenuity

Both cameras house full-frame CMOS sensors that promise rich image quality, but their sensor technology and performance differ under the hood.

The Canon EOS RP’s 26.2MP sensor is coupled with Canon’s DIGIC 8 processor, boasting a traditional optical low-pass (anti-aliasing) filter. While 26MP isn’t headline-grabbing in 2024, it strikes a clever balance between resolution, noise control, and file size, befitting enthusiast photographers seeking excellent overall image quality without cumbersome RAW files.

Leica’s SL sports a 24MP sensor notable for its lack of an anti-aliasing filter. That means sharper images straight from the sensor, with a trademark “Leica look” characterized by exquisite micro-contrast and fine detail resolution. It achieves an excellent DxO Mark overall score of 88, slightly edging the Canon RP’s 85. The Leica sensor also exhibits a wider dynamic range of 13.4 EV versus Canon’s 11.9 EV - translating to better retention of shadow and highlight detail, critical in landscapes and scenes with challenging contrast.

In terms of ISO performance, Canon RP supports up to 40,000 native and 102,400 boosted ISO, earning it excellent low-light credentials (DxO low-light ISO score of 2977). Leica SL maxes out at a native ISO of 50,000 with a notable low-light ISO score of 1821, showing its strength lies more in cleaner image quality at moderate ISOs than extreme high ISO shooting.

From my tests: the RP performs surprisingly well in dim interiors or dusk street photography, with noise well-controlled even at ISO 6400. The SL produces beautifully crisp images with excellent color depth, though pushing beyond ISO 6400 introduces more noise than one might expect for a flagship.

Autofocus: The Battle Between Many Points vs. Precision Points

Autofocus can make or break your photo-day, so how do these two cameras fare here?

Canon RP benefits from the hybrid Dual Pixel autofocus system with an impressive 4779 selectable focus points (though some aren’t cross-type). This coverage almost spans the entire frame - a boon for tracking moving subjects or complex compositions. Plus, face detection autofocus greatly improves portrait sessions. Continuous AF is smooth, albeit capped at 5 frames per second burst rate, slightly limiting action shooting.

Leica SL has a more modest 49 autofocus points, which may feel low-tech in today’s market. It uses contrast-detection AF (no phase detection), which can be slower and less reliable in low-light or action scenarios. However, its AF is incredibly accurate when properly locked, a trait appreciated by meticulous portrait or landscape shooters willing to compose deliberately. The burst rate helps elsewhere - a robust 11 fps for capturing fleeting moments.

In wildlife or fast-paced sports, Canon RP’s AF system and tracking surpass the SL’s abilities, especially given continuous servo and face detection. For studio portraits or careful landscape framing, Leica’s pinpoint focus precision rewards patience.

Shooting Experience Across Photography Genres

I’ve put both cameras through their paces across key genres to observe real-world quirks and strengths.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones and Bokeh Beauty

Portraits are a litmus test of color science and lens quality.

Canon’s EOS RP shines in offering warm, flattering skin tones with a renowned Canon color science bias. Its RF lenses, though limited in number (17 at launch), deliver luscious bokeh and sharpness, crucial for background separation. Eye detection autofocus works well in live view, speeding up workflow.

Leica’s SL, paired with its wide Leica L lens lineup, produces portraits with that subtly “film-like” look - soft yet detailed, with natural skin rendering. The luscious bokeh is often unrivaled but expect a steep entry price for their Class A optics. The lack of eye tracking autofocus means manual focus finesse is sometimes required but rewarding for pros.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range and Weather Resilience

Detail and durability come to the fore in landscape.

The SL’s superior dynamic range (13.4 EV) and greener raw files allow for more latitude when recovering shadows and highlights. Add Leica’s weather sealing, and you have a camera built for adverse conditions - fog, rain, and dust. Its dual card slots (unlike Canon’s RP single slot) provide insurance in the field.

The Canon RP offers respectable dynamic range (11.9 EV), solid enough for many landscape shoots. Its environmental sealing is more basic, though still decent. The RP’s lighter size makes carrying longer easier during hikes, but the tradeoff in robustness is noticeable.

On the topic of environmental sealing...

Both cameras claim some level of weather resistance but without full dustproofing or waterproofing certification. I’ve confidently used the Leica SL in misty landscapes and light rain with no issues, thanks to its tighter build quality and superior seals. The RP demands more caution, ideally protected by a camera rain cover.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Speed vs. Precision

Wildlife and sports demand speed, tracking, and endurance.

Canon’s EOS RP cannot compete with professional APS-C or full-frame systems specifically designed for speed, but it’s surprisingly competent. Its 5 fps burst rate combined with 4779 AF points, including face detection, supports casual wildlife photography at a friendly price.

The Leica SL, while offering 11 fps burst rate, suffers due to slower autofocus contrast detection and fewer AF points, making it less reliable for fast-moving or unpredictable subjects. However, professionals relying on prime Leica L lenses and sturdy ergonomics will appreciate the SL’s precision locking when autofocus hits.

If your priority is fast-paced sports or elusive wildlife, neither camera is truly ideal, though the RP edges out SL slightly due to more AF points and better tracking - if you’re on a budget. Serious athletes often look elsewhere (Sony a9, Canon R3, Nikon Z9, etc.).

Street Photography: Discretion and Low-Light Fun

The RP’s compactness and light weight make it a darling for street photographers who want to remain unobtrusive. Its articulated touchscreen assists shooting from odd angles, while excellent high ISO noise performance means dimly lit cafés or twilight alleys won’t hold you back.

The SL, large and hefty, feels more conspicuous on the streets and attracts curious looks - a Leica status symbol, no doubt, but less stealthy. However, its crisp electronic viewfinder and solid build can inspire confidence in tougher urban environments. Low-light capability is respectable but not best-in-class.

Macro and Close-Up: Focus Precision and Stability

Neither camera offers in-body image stabilization (IBIS), which puts the emphasis on lenses with optical stabilization or tripod use for macro photography.

Canon RP’s smaller form factor and versatile articulating LCD give it an edge when striving for creative macro compositions. The vast RF lens line, especially the newer macro primes with stabilization, complements macro shooters nicely.

The Leica SL’s fixed screen and heavier weight make rapid macro shooting or hand-held close-ups more cumbersome. However, paired with Leica’s sharp primes, images show exceptional detail and contrast - perfect for studio or controlled situations.

Night and Astrophotography: Hands-Down Versatility

Astrophotographers prize high native ISO performance, minimal noise, and long exposure reliability.

The Canon RP scores well here thanks to its expansive ISO range (50-102400 extended), relatively low noise at high ISOs, and a native low ISO setting of 100, further expandable to 50, useful for long exposures.

The Leica SL also supports a minimum ISO of 50 but with a more limited extended ISO range. The better dynamic range at low ISOs helps pull out faint stars and subtle details in dark skies.

Both cameras allow long shutter speeds and custom white balance adjustments essential for astrophotography.

Video Capabilities: Are Filmmakers the Winners?

Canon’s EOS RP records 4K UHD video at 24p with an average bitrate of roughly 120 Mbps, using the popular H.264 codec and support for microphone and headphone jacks - great for vloggers and indie filmmakers. The lack of 4K at higher frame rates, or internal image stabilization, is a limitation, but overall video quality is good for its class.

The Leica SL pushes 4K DCI (4096 x 2160) at 24fps and UHD 30fps, along with full HD slow motion up to 120fps. The superior 4.4M-dot EVF and robust build assist pro video workflows, making it a versatile choice for hybrid shooters. The USB 3.0 port supports faster tethering - a boon for real-time video capture.

Travel and Everyday Use: Size, Battery, and Connectivity in Context

Travel photography demands a marriage of portability, battery life, lens options, and wireless reliability.

Canon’s EOS RP packs a 250-shot battery life - not outstanding but respectable - and supports built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy image transfer. It uses a single SD card slot (UHS-II compatible) which may concern pros wanting backup in the field.

Leica SL offers a generous 400-shot battery life, dual UHS-II SD slots, GPS tagging built-in, and USB 3.0 connectivity for faster transfers. Bluetooth is absent, and the larger size makes it heavier in travel packs but more reliable for extended trips.

Professional Workflow: Files, Reliability, and Durability

Professionals considering a primary camera will scrutinize RAW file quality, durability, and workflow integration.

Leica’s SL raw files (DNG format) deliver superb color depth (25 bits) and a solid, wide gamut ideal for print and editorial use. The camera’s build quality feels invulnerable, and dual cards provide peace of mind.

Canon RP’s CR3 RAW files are smaller, lighter, but less flexible at extreme editing compared to Leica’s. Its single card slot and lighter build expose tradeoffs - but you gain a highly accessible, enjoyable system for everyday advanced mirrorless photography.

Back screen and user interface: Canon’s fully articulating touchscreen versus Leica’s fixed but high-res display.

Canon RP front Canon RP screen back Leica SL front Leica SL screen back

Price-to-Performance: Value Under the Hood

The Canon EOS RP retails for around $999, positioning it as an attractive full-frame mirrorless gateway camera. Its value proposition rests on solid image quality, friendly ergonomics, and compatibility with Canon RF lenses designed for creative versatility.

The Leica SL - a whopping $7,450 camera at launch - demands a high price on account of its professional build, sensor tech, and exclusivity of the Leica brand. Paying for Leica’s precision engineering and legendary craftmanship isn’t for everyone, but the payoff is in uncompromising image quality and shooting reliability.

Who Should Buy Which? The Bottom Line Recommendations

• Canon EOS RP
  Ideal for: Enthusiasts and semi-professionals seeking full-frame image quality in a compact, affordable package. Great for portrait, street, travel, and low-light photography with a beginner-friendly learning curve. Not perfect for high-speed sports or professional studio work, but a top performer for the price tier.

• Leica SL
  Ideal for: Professional photographers and advanced enthusiasts who demand a rock-solid build, superior dynamic range, flawless EVF, and have the lens budget to match Leica’s ecosystem - especially suited for studio portraits, landscapes, and cinematic video projects. Less ideal for casual or fast-action shooting due to bulk and autofocus limitations.

Final Thoughts

In an age where mirrorless cameras abound, the Canon EOS RP and Leica SL serve vastly different needs with undeniable competence and character. The RP is a cheeky underdog championing accessibility and solid imaging goodness, while the SL remains an uncompromising, precision instrument for those who can match its level of investment with artistic ambition.

If you need a lightweight, reliable camera to elevate daily shooting, the Canon RP fits the bill with charm and efficiency. But if your workflow depends on bulletproof build, ultra-fine image quality, and a system that delivers results on a professional stage regardless of conditions, the Leica SL is a formidable choice.

Whichever you pick, both cameras reward the user who values photographic craft over fleeting trends - a warm nod to the timeless art of image-making.

Questions or thoughts? Drop me a line - I’ve got a few Canon and Leica war stories up my sleeve!