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Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1X front
Portability
54
Imaging
61
Features
93
Overall
73

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Launched October 2015
  • Additionally Known as Typ 601
  • Later Model is Leica SL2
Olympus E-M1X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 997g - 144 x 147 x 75mm
  • Released January 2019
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Leica and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the SL (24MP) and the E-M1X (20MP) is relatively comparable but the SL (Full frame) and E-M1X (Four Thirds) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The SL was announced 4 years before the E-M1X which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SL matches up versus the E-M1X when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Olympus E-M1X

 SL E-M1X 
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1X over the Leica SL

 E-M1X SL 
ReleasedJanuary 2019October 2015More modern by 39 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica SL and Olympus E-M1X

 SL E-M1X 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Leica SL enjoys outside measurements of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Olympus E-M1X has specifications of 144mm x 147mm x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 997 grams (2.20 lbs).

Look at the Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the SL against the E-M1X.

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SL and E-M1X is 67 and 54 respectively.

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing technical specs. The picture underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SL and E-M1X.

As you can tell, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SL with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field simpler and the Leica SL will produce greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SL will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica SL
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M1X
83
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
76
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography highlights
Olympus E-M1X Street photography highlights
69
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (50,000)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
67
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
more heavy than competitors in class (997g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography advice
Olympus E-M1X Sports photography advice
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (400 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
80
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (60.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery life (870 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-M1X as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proofing
boasts touch focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
not so great battery (400 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
great battery life (870 per charge)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
MP count good (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (997 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica SL
Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1X
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (400 per charge)
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery life (870 per charge)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging info
Olympus E-M1X Vlogging info
33
touchscreen
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
68
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone support
more heavy than competitors in class (997g)
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Leica SL vs Olympus E-M1X Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Olympus E-M1X
 Leica SLOlympus OM-D E-M1X
General Information
Brand Leica Olympus
Model type Leica SL Olympus OM-D E-M1X
Also called as Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2015-10-21 2019-01-24
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Maestro II Dual TruePic VIII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 17.4 x 13mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 226.2mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 50000 25600
Lowest native ISO 50 200
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 121
Lens
Lens support Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 30 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400k dots 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames/s 60.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 4096x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes (USB-PD allows charging by laptop or external power bank)
GPS BuiltIn Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 847 gr (1.87 pounds) 997 gr (2.20 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 144 x 147 x 75mm (5.7" x 5.8" x 3.0")
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 images 870 images
Battery style Battery Pack Built-in
Battery ID BP-SCL4 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) -
Card slots 2 2
Retail pricing $7,450 $2,999