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Leica SL vs Nikon Z9

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Nikon Z9 front
Portability
51
Imaging
82
Features
90
Overall
85

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 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
  • Revealed October 2015
  • Also Known as Typ 601
  • New Model is Leica SL2
Nikon Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Announced October 2021
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Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Leica SL and Nikon Z9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Nikon. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the SL (24MP) and Z9 (46MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The SL was unveiled 7 years prior to the Z9 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SL scores vs the Z9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Nikon Z9

 SL Z9 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Leica SL

 Z9 SL 
AnnouncedOctober 2021October 2015Newer by 73 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2089k1040kClearer screen (+1049k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Nikon Z9

 SL Z9 
Focus manually More precise focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica SL features outer dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z9 has proportions of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") with a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).

Analyze the Leica SL and Nikon Z9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SL and the Z9.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SL and Z9 is 67 and 51 respectively.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SL and Z9.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon Z9 to render more detail having an extra 22MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged SL will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography details
Nikon Z9 Portrait photography details
83
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
89
has manual focus
excellent megapixels (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography information
Nikon Z9 Street photography information
69
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (50,000)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
features touch focus
weather proofing
very good ISO range (25,600)
heavier than competition (1,340 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography information
Nikon Z9 Sports photography information
67
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (400 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
91
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (46MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery power (740 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica SL
Travel photography with Nikon Z9
65
weather proof
comes with touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (400 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
better than average battery power (740 shots)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
features touch focus
excellent megapixels (46 megapixels)
heavier than competition (1,340 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography information
Nikon Z9 Landscape photography information
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (50,000)
supports RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (400 CIPA)
87
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (46 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery power (740 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging highlights
Nikon Z9 Vlogging highlights
33
touchscreen
provides face detect focus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone support
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
32
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 pxls)
comes with mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,340 grams)
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Leica SL vs Nikon Z9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Nikon Z9
 Leica SLNikon Z9
General Information
Brand Leica Nikon
Model type Leica SL Nikon Z9
Otherwise known as Typ 601 -
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-10-21 2021-10-28
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Maestro II -
Sensor type CMOS Stacked CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 46 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 50000 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 50 64
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO - 32
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 49 493
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Nikon Z
Total lenses 30 29
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 2,089 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dot 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.8x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 900 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video file format MPEG-4 H.264, H.265
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 847 gr (1.87 pounds) 1340 gr (2.95 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images 740 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 EN-EL18d
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 CFexpress Type B slots
Storage slots Two Two
Pricing at launch $7,450 $5,500