Leica CL vs Leica SL
82 Imaging
68 Features
58 Overall
64


67 Imaging
71 Features
78 Overall
73
Leica CL vs Leica SL Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Leica CL vs Leica SL Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica CL & Leica SL. The full galleries are available at Leica CL Gallery & Leica SL Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Leica SL
CL | SL | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | November 2017 | ![]() | October 2015 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 1040k | The 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL vs Leica SL Specifications
Leica CL | Leica 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 |