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Leica CL vs Leica SL

Portability
82
Imaging
68
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Leica SL front
Portability
67
Imaging
71
Features
78
Overall
73

Leica CL vs Leica SL Key Specs

Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Announced November 2017
Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Introduced October 2015
  • Alternative Name is Typ 601
  • Successor is Leica SL2
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Leica CL vs Leica SL Overview

Lets look more closely at the Leica CL and Leica SL, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Pro Mirrorless and both are designed by Leica. The sensor resolution of the CL (24MP) and the SL (24MP) is very comparable but the CL (APS-C) and SL (Full frame) posses different sensor sizing.

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The CL was unveiled 2 years after the SL which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Leica CL being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Leica SL being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the CL scores vs the SL in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Leica SL

 CL SL 
IntroducedNovember 2017October 2015Newer by 26 months

Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Leica CL

 SL CL 
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Leica CL and Leica SL

 CL SL 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution1040k1040kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica CL vs Leica SL Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica CL comes with exterior measurements of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") and a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) and the Leica SL has sizing of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs).

Look at the Leica CL and Leica SL in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the CL compared to the SL.

Leica CL vs Leica SL size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the CL and SL is 82 and 67 respectively.

Leica CL vs Leica SL top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Leica SL Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing specs. The picture here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the CL and SL.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide the same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The CL includes the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher. The younger CL provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica CL vs Leica SL sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Leica SL Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Leica SL Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica CL as a Portrait photography camera
Leica SL as a Portrait photography camera
72
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
no manual focus
82
you can focus manually
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica CL Street photography advice
Leica SL Street photography advice
73
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average high ISO (50,000)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
69
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
offers focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (50,000)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica CL Sports photography advice
Leica SL Sports photography advice
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/25,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (220 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
66
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
no image stabilization
low battery pack (400 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica CL Travel photography factors
Leica SL Travel photography factors
66
boasts focus via touch
megapixel count good (24MP)
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
65
weather proof
offers focus by touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
low battery pack (400 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica CL Landscape photography info
Leica SL Landscape photography info
68
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (50,000)
exports RAW formats
no manual focus
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
76
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (50,000)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
no image stabilization
low battery pack (400 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica CL
Vlogging with Leica SL
33
built-in touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external microphone socket
33
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
good video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
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Leica CL vs Leica SL Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Leica SL
 Leica CLLeica SL
General Information
Brand Leica Leica
Model type Leica CL Leica SL
Alternate name - Typ 601
Class Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2017-11-21 2015-10-21
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Maestro II Maestro II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6014 x 4014 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 50000 50000
Lowest native ISO 100 50
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 49
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Leica L
Available lenses 30 30
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 4,400k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.8x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 60s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/25000s -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, 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)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 4096x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 403 grams (0.89 lb) 847 grams (1.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 88
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1821
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 400 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC12 BP-SCL4
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1)
Card slots Single Dual
Cost at release $3,799 $7,450