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Leica CL vs Nikon Z5

Portability
82
Imaging
69
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Nikon Z5 front
Portability
62
Imaging
77
Features
86
Overall
80

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 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
  • Introduced November 2017
Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched July 2020
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Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Leica CL vs Nikon Z5, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the CL (24MP) and the Z5 (24MP) is fairly similar but the CL (APS-C) and Z5 (Full frame) use different sensor measurements.

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The CL was brought out 3 years prior to the Z5 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Leica CL being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the CL grades versus the Z5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Nikon Z5

 CL Z5 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Leica CL

 Z5 CL 
LaunchedJuly 2020November 2017Newer by 32 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Leica CL and Nikon Z5

 CL Z5 
Display resolution1040k1040kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica CL has outer measurements of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") having a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Nikon Z5 has measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Analyze the Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the CL versus the Z5.

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the CL and Z5 is 82 and 62 respectively.

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the CL and Z5.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The CL uses the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The more aged CL is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica CL as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
73
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
86
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica CL Street photography details
Nikon Z5 Street photography details
73
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
good ISO range (50,000)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
boasts focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average in class (675 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica CL Sports photography factors
Nikon Z5 Sports photography factors
63
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/25,000s)
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (220 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
good battery power (470 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.5 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Leica CL Travel photography features
Nikon Z5 Travel photography features
66
boasts touch to focus
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
bad battery power (220 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
68
good battery power (470 per charge)
weather proof
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
good MP (24 megapixels)
heavier than average in class (675g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica CL Landscape photography factors
Nikon Z5 Landscape photography factors
69
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (50,000)
exports RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
no image stabilization
bad battery power (220 shots)
87
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
good battery power (470 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica CL
Vlogging with Nikon Z5
33
touchscreen capability
features face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
34
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than average in class (675g)
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Leica CL vs Nikon Z5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Nikon Z5
 Leica CLNikon Z5
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model Leica CL Nikon Z5
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2017-11-21 2020-07-20
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6014 x 4014 6016 x 4016
Maximum native ISO 50000 51200
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 49 273
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 30 15
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 3,690k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.8x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/25000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 4.5 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 403 grams (0.89 lbs) 675 grams (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 images 470 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 EN-EL15c
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One 2
Retail price $3,799 $1,399