Clicky

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 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
  • Announced October 2015
  • Also referred to as Typ 601
  • Refreshed by Leica SL2
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Leica SL versus Panasonic S1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Panasonic. The resolution of the SL (24MP) and the S1 (24MP) is very similar and both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The SL was manufactured 4 years before the S1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the SL matches up vs the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Panasonic S1

 SL S1 

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Leica SL

 S1 SL 
LaunchedFebruary 2019October 2015Fresher by 39 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1040kSharper display (+1060k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Panasonic S1

 SL S1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica SL comes with external dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S1 has measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") and a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs).

Look at the Leica SL versus Panasonic S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SL against the S1.

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SL and S1 is 67 and 54 respectively.

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The graphic underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SL and S1.

Plainly, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution and you can expect similar quality of files however you really should factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The older SL is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica SL
Portrait photography with Panasonic S1
83
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
85
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/320s)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography factors
Panasonic S1 Street photography factors
69
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
weather sealing
great ISO range (50,000)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
comes with focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (1,021g)
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography factors
Panasonic S1 Sports photography factors
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (400 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
low battery power (380 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Leica SL Travel photography features
Panasonic S1 Travel photography features
65
weather sealing
supports touch to focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
low battery power (400 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
59
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
good resolution (24 megapixels)
low battery power (380 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (1,021g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography highlights
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (50,000)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (400 CIPA)
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
low battery power (380 per charge)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging features
Panasonic S1 Vlogging features
33
has touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with mic support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
32
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (1,021 grams)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Leica SL vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Panasonic S1
 Leica SLPanasonic Lumix DC-S1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Panasonic
Model Leica SL Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Otherwise known as Typ 601 -
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2015-10-21 2019-02-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Maestro II Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 50000 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 49 225
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Leica L
Total lenses 30 30
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,040k dot 2,100k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400k dot 5,760k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per second 9.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/320 seconds
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 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847 gr (1.87 lbs) 1021 gr (2.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 88 95
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 25.2
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 14.5
DXO Low light score 1821 3333
Other
Battery life 400 photographs 380 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) -
Storage slots Two Two
Retail price $7,450 $2,498