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Leica SL vs Nikon Z50

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Nikon Z50 front
Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 Key Specs

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
  • Launched October 2015
  • Also Known as Typ 601
  • Successor is Leica SL2
Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
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Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 Overview

Below is a extended assessment of the Leica SL vs Nikon Z50, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Nikon. The sensor resolution of the SL (24MP) and the Z50 (21MP) is relatively similar but the SL (Full frame) and Z50 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The SL was revealed 5 years earlier than the Z50 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SL grades versus the Z50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Nikon Z50

 SL Z50 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Leica SL

 Z50 SL 
IntroducedOctober 2019October 2015More recent by 48 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica SL and Nikon Z50

 SL Z50 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen resolution1040k1040kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. 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) while the Nikon Z50 has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs).

See the Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SL against the Z50.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL and Z50 is 67 and 74 respectively.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor measurements just by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SL and Z50.

Clearly, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SL having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Leica SL will offer extra detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The older SL is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography information
Nikon Z50 Portrait photography information
83
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
80
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
boasts touch focus
weather proofing
great high ISO (50,000)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography info
Nikon Z50 Sports photography info
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (400 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
75
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL Travel photography advice
Nikon Z50 Travel photography advice
65
weather proofing
boasts touch focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
terrible battery power (400 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
megapixel count decent (21MP)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography info
Nikon Z50 Landscape photography info
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3")
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (50,000)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (400 per charge)
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
33
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes mic jack
no image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
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Leica SL vs Nikon Z50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Nikon Z50
 Leica SLNikon Z50
General Information
Make Leica Nikon
Model type Leica SL Nikon Z50
Also referred to as Typ 601 -
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2015-10-21 2019-10-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Maestro II Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 21MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 5568 x 3712
Maximum native ISO 50000 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 50 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 49 209
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Nikon Z
Available lenses 30 15
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dot 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 847 grams (1.87 lbs) 397 grams (0.88 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 88 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1821 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 photos 320 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery ID BP-SCL4 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Dual One
Launch price $7,450 $857