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Leica SL vs Nikon Z6

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Nikon Z6 front
Portability
62
Imaging
75
Features
88
Overall
80

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Announced October 2015
  • Other Name is Typ 601
  • Updated by Leica SL2
Nikon Z6
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 68mm
  • Released August 2018
  • Renewed by Nikon Z6 II
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Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Leica SL versus Nikon Z6, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the SL (24MP) and the Z6 (25MP) is very well matched and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The SL was brought out 3 years before the Z6 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SL grades vs the Z6 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Nikon Z6

 SL Z6 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 over the Leica SL

 Z6 SL 
ReleasedAugust 2018October 2015Fresher by 34 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1040kClearer display (+1060k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Nikon Z6

 SL Z6 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Leica SL has got physical dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Nikon Z6 has proportions of 134mm x 101mm x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7") and a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Leica SL versus Nikon Z6 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SL and the Z6.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL and Z6 is 67 and 62 respectively.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL and Z6.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Nikon Z6 to give more detail having its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The older SL is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography info
Nikon Z6 Portrait photography info
83
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
85
you can focus manually
resolution is great (25 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL as a Street photography camera
Nikon Z6 as a Street photography camera
69
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
includes touch focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (50,000)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
78
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers touch focus
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography features
Nikon Z6 Sports photography features
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (400 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
81
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (330 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL Travel photography factors
Nikon Z6 Travel photography factors
65
environment proofing
includes touch focus
good resolution (24 megapixels)
low battery pack (400 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
66
weather sealing
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is great (25 megapixels)
low battery life (330 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography factors
Nikon Z6 Landscape photography factors
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (50,000)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (400 per charge)
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (25MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
low battery life (330 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging highlights
Nikon Z6 Vlogging highlights
33
touch screen
includes face detection focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
36
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Leica SL vs Nikon Z6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Nikon Z6
 Leica SLNikon Z6
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model Leica SL Nikon Z6
Other name Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2015-10-21 2018-08-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 6048 x 4024
Highest native ISO 50000 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 273
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Nikon Z
Number of lenses 30 15
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 2,100k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400k dots 3,690k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.8x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/200s
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) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847g (1.87 lbs) 675g (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 134 x 101 x 68mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 88 95
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 25.3
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 14.3
DXO Low light score 1821 3299
Other
Battery life 400 photographs 330 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) XQD card
Card slots Dual 1
Retail price $7,450 $1,997