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Leica SL vs Leica SL2

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Leica SL2 front
Portability
57
Imaging
80
Features
83
Overall
81

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Released October 2015
  • Alternate Name is Typ 601
  • Renewed by Leica SL2
Leica SL2
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Launched November 2019
  • Superseded the Leica SL
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Leica SL vs Leica SL2 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Leica SL vs Leica SL2, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and both of them are offered by Leica. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the SL (24MP) and SL2 (47MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The SL was announced 5 years earlier than the SL2 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SL grades against the SL2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Leica SL2

 SL SL2 

Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Leica SL

 SL2 SL 
LaunchedNovember 2019October 2015More recent by 49 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1040kClearer display (+1060k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Leica SL2

 SL SL2 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Leica SL offers external measurements of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Leica SL2 has specifications of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") having a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs).

Look at the Leica SL vs Leica SL2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SL versus the SL2.

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL and SL2 is 67 and 57 respectively.

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SL and SL2.

All in all, both cameras come with the identical sensor size but different MP. You can expect to see the Leica SL2 to render extra detail with its extra 23MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older SL will be behind in sensor tech.

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Leica SL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL as a Portrait photography camera
Leica SL2 as a Portrait photography camera
83
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
88
has manual focus
great megapixels (47MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography details
Leica SL2 Street photography details
69
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather proof
above average high ISO (50,000)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
72
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather proof
good high ISO (50,000)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL as a Sports photography camera
Leica SL2 as a Sports photography camera
67
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (400 CIPA)
does not have phase detect AF
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/40,000 seconds)
high max fps (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (47MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
bad battery pack (370 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL Travel photography advice
Leica SL2 Travel photography advice
65
weather proof
boasts focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
low battery life (400 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
65
weather proof
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
great megapixels (47MP)
bad battery pack (370 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography information
Leica SL2 Landscape photography information
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (50,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (400 shots)
83
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great megapixels (47 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (50,000)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery pack (370 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging features
Leica SL2 Vlogging features
33
touch screen
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Leica SL vs Leica SL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Leica SL2
 Leica SLLeica SL2
General Information
Brand Leica Leica
Model Leica SL Leica SL2
Otherwise known as Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2015-10-21 2019-11-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Maestro II Maestro III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 36 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 864.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 47 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 8368 x 5584
Highest native ISO 50000 50000
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 225
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Leica L
Available lenses 30 30
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400k dot 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 1800 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/40000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p) 4096 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 4096x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847 gr (1.87 lbs) 835 gr (1.84 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 88 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1821 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 shots 370 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery model BP-SCL4 BP-SCL4
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1)
Storage slots Dual Dual
Launch pricing $7,450 $5,995