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Leica Q vs Leica SL

Portability
63
Imaging
72
Features
64
Overall
68
Leica Q front
 
Leica SL front
Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74

Leica Q vs Leica SL Key Specs

Leica Q
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Yes Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28mm (F1.7) lens
  • 640g - 130 x 80 x 93mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Alternative Name is Typ 116
  • Renewed by Leica Q2
Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Revealed October 2015
  • Other Name is Typ 601
  • Refreshed by Leica SL2
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Leica Q vs Leica SL Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Leica Q and Leica SL, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless and both are offered by Leica. The image resolution of the Q (24MP) and the SL (24MP) is pretty comparable and they enjoy the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The Q was revealed 4 months earlier than the SL so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Leica Q being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Leica SL being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Q scores vs the SL with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica Q over the Leica SL

 Q SL 

Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Leica Q

 SL Q 

Common features in the Leica Q and Leica SL

 Q SL 
RevealedJune 2015October 2015Same generation
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution1040k1040kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica Q vs Leica SL Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica Q offers external measurements of 130mm x 80mm x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") with a weight of 640 grams (1.41 lbs) while the Leica SL has dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs).

Analyze the Leica Q and Leica SL in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the Q versus the SL.

Leica Q vs Leica SL size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Q and SL is 63 and 67 respectively.

Leica Q vs Leica SL top view buttons comparison

Leica Q vs Leica SL Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through specifications. The visual below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Q and SL.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photos although you might want to factor the production date of the cameras into account.

Leica Q vs Leica SL sensor size comparison

Leica Q vs Leica SL Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica Q as a Portrait photography camera
Leica SL as a Portrait photography camera
83
focusing manually
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
83
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica Q
Street photography with Leica SL
67
image stabilization (Yes)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
above average ISO range (50,000)
no articulating screen
more heavy than competition (640g)
69
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
weather sealing
very good high ISO (50,000)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica Q Sports photography factors
Leica SL Sports photography factors
69
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Yes)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
fixed focal length (28mm)
lacks phase detect autofocus
67
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (400 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica Q Travel photography info
Leica SL Travel photography info
63
comes with focus via touch
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
more heavy than competition (640g)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
not so great battery pack (400 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Q Landscape photography information
Leica SL Landscape photography information
75
focusing manually
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Yes)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average ISO range (50,000)
supports RAW files
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (28mm)
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good high ISO (50,000)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (400 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Q Vlogging advice
Leica SL Vlogging advice
32
fast maximum aperture (f1.7)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Yes)
provides face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (640g)
33
touchscreen functionality
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic port
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
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Leica Q vs Leica SL Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Q and Leica SL
 Leica QLeica SL
General Information
Brand Leica Leica
Model Leica Q Leica SL
Also called as Typ 116 Typ 601
Category Large Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-06-10 2015-10-21
Body design Large Sensor Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II 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 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 50000 50000
Min native ISO 100 50
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 49
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Leica L
Lens focal range 28mm (1x) -
Maximum aperture f/1.7 -
Macro focus distance 17cm -
Amount of lenses - 30
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dot 4,400k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.8x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 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 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 640 gr (1.41 lbs) 847 gr (1.87 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 80 x 93mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.7") 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 85 88
DXO Color Depth score 24.3 25.0
DXO Dynamic range score 12.7 13.4
DXO Low light score 2221 1821
Other
Battery life - 400 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 BP-SCL4
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1)
Storage slots One Dual
Cost at release $4,300 $7,450