Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5
67 Imaging
72 Features
78 Overall
74
![Leica SL front Leica SL front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Leica-SL/Leica-SL-front.jpg)
![Olympus OM-D E-M5 front Olympus OM-D E-M5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Olympus-OM-D-E-M5/Olympus-E-M5-front.jpg)
81 Imaging
52 Features
70 Overall
59
Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Key Specs
(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
- Refreshed by Leica SL2
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 425g - 122 x 89 x 43mm
- Released April 2012
- New Model is Olympus E-M5 II
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Overview
Here is a thorough overview of the Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Leica and Olympus. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the SL (24MP) and E-M5 (16MP) and the SL (Full frame) and E-M5 (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
The SL was released 3 years later than the E-M5 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SL matches up vs the E-M5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica SL and Olympus OM-D E-M5. The complete galleries are available at Leica SL Gallery and Olympus E-M5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Olympus E-M5
SL | E-M5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | October 2015 | ![]() | April 2012 | Fresher by 43 months |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 610k | Clearer display (+430k dot) |
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Leica SL
E-M5 | SL | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Common features in the Leica SL and Olympus E-M5
SL | E-M5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Leica SL features outer dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M5 has specifications of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") having a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs).
See the Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SL versus the E-M5.
![Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 size comparison Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-SL-vs-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-size-comparison.jpg)
Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL and E-M5 is 67 and 81 respectively.
![Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 top view buttons comparison Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-SL-vs-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The graphic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SL and E-M5.
Plainly, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SL featuring a larger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Leica SL will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The more recent SL is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
![Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 sensor size comparison Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Leica-SL-vs-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and ViewFinder
![Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-SL-vs-Olympus-OM-D-E-M5-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Leica SL vs Olympus E-M5 Specifications
Leica SL | Olympus OM-D E-M5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Leica | Olympus |
Model type | Leica SL | Olympus OM-D E-M5 |
Also referred to as | Typ 601 | - |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Advanced Mirrorless |
Launched | 2015-10-21 | 2012-04-30 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Maestro II | TruePic VI |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 50000 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 50 | 200 |
RAW pictures | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 100 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 49 | 35 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica L | Micro Four Thirds |
Available lenses | 30 | 107 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,040 thousand dot | 610 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 4,400 thousand dot | 1,440 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.8x | 0.58x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 11.0fps | 9.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels) |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 4096x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | BuiltIn | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 847 grams (1.87 lbs) | 425 grams (0.94 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") | 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 88 | 71 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 25.0 | 22.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.4 | 12.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 1821 | 826 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 400 photographs | 360 photographs |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BP-SCL4 | BLN-1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Dual | One |
Cost at release | $7,450 | $799 |