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Leica SL vs Nikon Z5

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Nikon Z5 front
Portability
62
Imaging
77
Features
86
Overall
80

Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 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
  • Announced October 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Typ 601
  • New Model is Leica SL2
Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump 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
  • Introduced July 2020
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Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Leica SL and Nikon Z5, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Leica and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SL (24MP) and the Z5 (24MP) is very well matched and they come with the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The SL was revealed 5 years earlier than the Z5 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SL grades versus the Z5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Nikon Z5

 SL Z5 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Leica SL

 Z5 SL 
IntroducedJuly 2020October 2015Newer by 57 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Leica SL and Nikon Z5

 SL Z5 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display resolution1040k1040kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Leica SL features exterior measurements of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z5 has specifications of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Leica SL and Nikon Z5 in our completely new 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 have attached at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SL compared to the Z5.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SL and Z5 is 67 and 62 respectively.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by reading through technical specs. The pic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SL and Z5.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of images although you should always factor the age of the products into consideration. The more aged SL is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography info
Nikon Z5 Portrait photography info
83
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
86
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography factors
Nikon Z5 Street photography factors
69
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
environment proof
good high ISO (50,000)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
74
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (675g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL as a Sports photography camera
Nikon Z5 as a Sports photography camera
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (400 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery power (470 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.5 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL Travel photography details
Nikon Z5 Travel photography details
65
environment proof
comes with touch to focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
bad battery power (400 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
better than average battery power (470 shots)
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
comes with touch focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
heavier than competition in class (675 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography information
Nikon Z5 Landscape photography information
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (50,000)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
bad battery power (400 per charge)
87
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery power (470 shots)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging information
Nikon Z5 Vlogging information
33
touchscreen
has face detect focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
34
has touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition in class (675g)
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Leica SL vs Nikon Z5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Nikon Z5
 Leica SLNikon Z5
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model Leica SL Nikon Z5
Also called as Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Announced 2015-10-21 2020-07-20
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 6016 x 4016
Highest native ISO 50000 51200
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 50 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 49 273
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Nikon Z
Number of lenses 30 15
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dots 3,690 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.8x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per second 4.5 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p) 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
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847g (1.87 lbs) 675g (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 470 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 EN-EL15c
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Dual Dual
Launch cost $7,450 $1,399