Leica SL vs. Samsung Galaxy NX: A Hands-On Comparative Review for Serious Photographers

When it comes to mirrorless cameras, the gulf between a high-end professional tool and a budget-friendly, entry-level shooter can be vast. Today, I’m putting two rather different cameras head-to-head: the Leica SL (Typ 601), a pro-oriented full-frame mirrorless powerhouse announced in late 2015, and the Samsung Galaxy NX, an intriguing early attempt from 2013 at an Android-powered mirrorless hybrid with APS-C sensor roots.

These cameras represent starkly different philosophies in design, feature sets, and price points. But beyond specs, I want to help you - whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for your next workhorse or an enthusiast seeking something practical without breaking the bank - understand what each camera brings to the table in real-world performance and usability.

Let’s dive deep into their core attributes and see how they stack up across various photography disciplines.

Getting Physical: Size, Weight & Ergonomics

First impression counts, right? The Leica SL is a substantial beast, tipping the scales at 847 grams with dimensions around 147x104x39 mm. This camera feels like a serious tool in the hands - a chunky block of premium metal designed for tactile confidence and durability.

The Galaxy NX is comparatively slight at 495 grams and more compact at 137x101x26 mm. It’s lighter and less intimidating, making it inherently more portable and travel-friendly.

Looking top-down, this ergonomic difference is even clearer.

The Leica SL’s control layout is purpose-driven: well-placed dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, plus plenty of customizable buttons that cater to professionals who want quick, precise access without breaking concentration.

The Galaxy NX, while attempting to be a hybrid between a camera and a tablet (thanks to its large 4.8-inch touchscreen), lacks many physical clubs for thumbs - there’s a heavy reliance on menu navigation and touchscreen interaction.

Bottom line: If you prioritize physical controls, traditional handling, and a reassuringly hefty grip, the Leica SL dominates. If you prefer something lightweight with a bigger screen but more reliance on software controls, the Galaxy NX wins the portability battle.

The Heart of the Beast: Sensor & Image Quality

The Leica SL sports a full-frame 24MP CMOS sensor (36x24 mm), sans an optical low-pass filter (OLPF/AA filter). The sensor size coupled with Leica’s Maestro II processor delivers rich file quality, exceptional color depth (DXOmark reports 25 bits), and stunning dynamic range (13.4 EV at base ISO 50). This sensor excels in retaining highlight and shadow detail, crucial for demanding landscape and portrait work.

The Samsung Galaxy NX utilizes a 20MP APS-C sensor (23.5x15.7 mm) with an anti-aliasing filter in place, which trades some resolving power for moiré reduction. Despite the smaller sensor, it offers impressive resolution images at 5472x3648 pixels and an ISO range up to 25600. However, the smaller sensor size limits dynamic range and low-light capabilities compared to full-frame beasts.

In practical testing, Leica SL files show noticeably deeper tonal transitions, better noise control at high ISO (up to 50000 native ISO), and more vibrant yet natural color reproduction. The SL also natively supports shooting from ISO 50, great for bright conditions without neutral density filters.

Galaxy NX files are decent for casual shooting and online sharing but show earlier noise onset beyond ISO 3200. The image files require more aggressive noise reduction in post, which softens fine detail.

Technical takeaway: Full-frame availability almost always means better image quality, especially in complex lighting scenarios. For professionals demanding landscape HDR or portrait finesse, the SL is the clear winner. Beginners or budget shooters may accept the Galaxy’s compromise if portability and price are paramount.

Viewing and Framing: Viewfinder and LCD Screens

A camera’s LCD and EVF experience can make or break usability on the fly.

The Leica SL features a 3-inch, 1040k-dot touchscreen LCD paired with a stunning 4.4-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. The EVF provides 100% coverage and a 0.8x magnification, yielding a crystal-clear, lag-free framing tool that feels more like a traditional optical VF than an early digital implementation.

Samsung’s Galaxy NX has a huge 4.8-inch HD TFT touchscreen but lacks a built-in electronic viewfinder altogether. In bright outdoor conditions, composing with the rear screen can be challenging, and eye-level shooting is out of the question without addons.

While the big touchscreen on the Galaxy NX makes menu navigation straightforward - more like using a smartphone UI - the absence of an EVF handicaps it for precise framing or rapid shooting.

The Leica SL’s illuminated control buttons and responsive touchscreen add to fast handling, even in challenging light.

Autofocus Performance: Precision vs. Practicality

The Leica SL’s autofocus system relies on contrast detection only with 49 focus points and extensive face detection. It lacks phase-detection AF on the sensor itself, which can be a downside given current hybrid AF standards but Leica’s optimized algorithms produce very reliable focus in good light.

Samsung Galaxy NX features hybrid autofocus with phase detection pixels on its APS-C sensor and contrast detection, theoretically promising quicker lock-on. However, its autofocus tracking and continuous AF aren’t as refined - no continuous AF or face tracking in video mode, and lower burst capability weaken it for action photography.

Continuous burst rates accentuate the difference:

• Leica SL: up to 11 fps - great for sports and wildlife

• Galaxy NX: up to 9 fps - respectable but less reliable under pressure

For photographers shooting fast-paced subjects - sports, wildlife, kids - the Leica SL offers more dependable autofocus performance capable of locking and tracking in unpredictable situations.

Built to Last: Build Quality and Weather Resistance

The Leica SL’s heavily sealed weather-resistant body stands up to some rugged shooting conditions - rain, dust, and tough environments. While not waterproof or shockproof, it fares well on demanding outdoor shoots.

Samsung’s Galaxy NX, conversely, offers no environmental sealing and is relatively fragile - something to consider if you’re scouting extreme locations.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Both cameras use proprietary lens mounts:

• Leica SL uses the Leica L mount, supported by around 30 lenses at launch, including high-performance primes and professional zooms.

• Samsung Galaxy NX uses the Samsung NX mount, with roughly 32 lenses available but with very limited current market support post-Samsung’s exit from the camera business.

Leica’s L mount ecosystem has since expanded widely thanks to the L-Mount Alliance with Panasonic and Sigma, meaning your investment feels safer long-term.

On the Galaxy NX side, the lens selection is not only limited but aging, and finding new glass or accessories is challenging.

Specialized Photography Uses: A Discipline-by-Discipline Breakdown

I’ve tested these cameras under various shooting scenarios. Here’s where they shine - or fall short.

Portrait Photography

Leica SL shines here with luscious skin-tone rendering, superb dynamic range, and beautiful bokeh effects achieved with wide-aperture L-mount lenses. Its face and eye detection autofocus are reliable in studio or natural light.

Galaxy NX’s portrait performance is more modest. Its APS-C sensor can achieve decent background blur, but the smaller sensor size and older AF tech limit subject isolation and precision focusing.

Landscape Photography

Leica’s full-frame sensor and high dynamic range make it first choice for landscapes - perfect for retaining fine detail in shadows and highlights. The camera’s weather sealing adds confidence when trekking.

Galaxy NX performs adequately but struggles in very high contrast scenes, leading to clipped highlights or crushed shadows without HDR trickery.

Wildlife Photography

The SL’s 11 fps burst and precise AF tracking give it a pro-level edge in capturing fast, erratic wildlife motion.

Galaxy NX’s slower AF and fewer focus points limit success in wildlife action.

Sports Photography

Again, Leica SL is better suited for fast-moving subjects because of speed and AF reliability. The Galaxy NX can manage casual sports but will likely frustrate serious sports shooters.

Street Photography

If stealth and portability are priorities, the Galaxy NX’s smaller size is an advantage. The Leica SL can feel bulky for street work but delivers better image quality.

Macro Photography

Neither camera has specialized macro features like focus stacking, but Leica’s stable platform and high-quality lenses facilitate superior working distances and focus precision.

Night and Astro Photography

Leica’s sensor excels at low light with native ISO extending to 50000 and excellent noise control. The Galaxy NX sees higher noise indoors or at night.

Video Capabilities

Leica offers 4K video recording at 24 and 30p, plus 1080p up to 120 fps for slow motion, with full mic and headphone jacks for professional audio control.

Galaxy NX tops out at 1080p Full HD, max 30 fps, with basic microphones - suitable for casual shooters.

Travel Photography

If battery life and size matter, the Galaxy NX enjoys slightly longer shooting times (440 vs. 400 shots per charge) and smaller weight, making it easier for day trips.

Leica’s dual SD card slots support data redundancy, useful for travel pros worried about data loss. Both feature built-in GPS.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

Leica SL’s native RAW support, absence of AA filter for max sharpness, and robust build quality place it firmly in the professional camp.

Galaxy NX is more hobbyist-oriented. RAW files come with limitations, and after Samsung’s withdrawal from cameras, firmware and support updates stopped - rendering it less future-proof.

Leica SL front Leica SL screen back Samsung Galaxy NX front Samsung Galaxy NX screen back

Above, a side-by-side gallery of photos from each camera illustrates the Leica SL’s superior dynamic range, color rendering, and detail. The Samsung NX images are pleasant but appear softer, especially in shadows and high ISO images.

Connectivity and Storage Features

Both cameras offer Wi-Fi with built-in GPS, but Leica’s inclusion of USB 3.0 support and HDMI out provides faster tethering and external monitoring options key for studio or professional video.

Samsung Galaxy NX sticks with USB 2.0, slower file transfers, and only one SD card slot versus Leica’s dual UHS-II compatible slots allowing extended shooting capacity and backup.

Price and Value Assessment

Here’s the kicker: Leica SL lists around $7,450, firmly placing it in the pro market. The Galaxy NX’s new price hovered near $1,300 (now discontinued and available only used).

Given such a price gulf, expectations diverge.

Leica SL represents a no-compromise professional-grade tool that excels across the board but demands a serious budget and investment in Leica L lenses.

Galaxy NX offers an affordable, unique Android-integrated experience back in the day, suitable for casual shooters or those who want a hybrid photography-mobile device.

Genre-Specific Performance Scores

To sum it up visually:

• Leica SL dominates in portrait, landscape, wildlife, sports, night, macro, and video.

• Galaxy NX finds its niche mainly in entry-level street and travel due to portability and touchscreen convenience.

Summarizing Strengths and Weaknesses

Final Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Leica SL if:

• You are a professional or serious enthusiast demanding uncompromising image quality, autofocus performance, and build reliability.

• You shoot across demanding genres: commercial portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and video.

• You value a robust lens ecosystem and plan to invest long term.

• Money isn’t your main constraint, and you want a future-proof tool capable of handling professional workflow.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy NX if:

• You are an enthusiast or casual shooter who values portability, a large touchscreen experience, and a lighter gear load.

• You prefer an affordable, entry-level camera for street, travel, or family photography.

• You don’t mind the limitations in autofocus, no EVF, and smaller sensor.

• You enjoy experimenting with hybrid camera/Android-device concepts and are okay with aging tech.

Wrapping Up

The Leica SL and Samsung Galaxy NX exist at opposite ends of the mirrorless camera spectrum. While the Leica SL embodies premium craftsmanship and performance worthy of pro ranks, the Galaxy NX took a bold but imperfect stab at merging smartphone-style interfaces with mirrorless shooting.

For anyone serious about image quality, lens options, and versatility, the Leica SL remains a compelling choice - even years after launch. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy NX is better appreciated as an innovative curiosity, now largely retired but once a unique offering for entry-level photographers.

Hopefully, this detailed head-to-head equips you to pick your next camera with confidence - whether you’re investing in a flagship pro shooter or snagging a capable starter for travel and everyday fun.

Happy shooting!