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Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30

Portability
55 Imaging
76 Features
84 Overall
79
Leica SL2-S front
 
Nikon Z30 front
Portability
79 Imaging
70 Features
84 Overall
75

Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 Key Specs

Leica SL2-S
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 931g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Announced December 2020
Nikon Z30
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 405g - 128 x 74 x 60mm
  • Announced June 2022
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Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z30, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Nikon. The image resolution of the SL2-S (24MP) and the Z30 (21MP) is fairly similar but the SL2-S (Full frame) and Z30 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The SL2-S was introduced 18 months before the Z30 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SL2-S grades versus the Z30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2-S over the Nikon Z30

		

		

			
 SL2-S Z30 
Display sizing3.2"3.00"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1040kCrisper display (+1060k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Nikon Z30 over the Leica SL2-S

		

		

			
 Z30 SL2-S 
AnnouncedJune 2022December 2020Fresher by 18 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen  Easy selfies
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z30

		

		

			
 SL2-S Z30 
Manually focus  Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica SL2-S has external measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") with a weight of 931 grams (2.05 lbs) whilst the Nikon Z30 has measurements of 128mm x 74mm x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4") with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs).
Check the Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SL2-S and the Z30.
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 size comparison
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SL2-S and Z30 is 55 and 79 respectively.
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by going over a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2-S and Z30.
As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SL2-S having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Leica SL2-S will offer you more detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The older SL2-S is going to be behind in sensor tech.
	
			Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Leica SL2-S Portrait photography information
Nikon Z30 Portrait photography information
85
 focusing manually
 decent MP (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 includes face detect focusing
 exports RAW formats
82
 manual focus
 megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 supports face detection focusing
 supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison
 Leica SL2-S as a Street photography camera
 Nikon Z30 as a Street photography camera
66
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 exports RAW formats
 supports focus via touch
 weather proof
 very good high ISO (50,000)
 fixed screen
 heavier than competition in class (931g)
75
 screen articulates
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 supports RAW formats
 has focus via touch
 weather sealing
 very good high ISO (51,200)
 no image stabilization
 heavier than competition in class (405 grams)
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Sports Comparison
 Leica SL2-S as a Sports photography camera
 Nikon Z30 as a Sports photography camera
83
 high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 silent mode (1/16,000s)
 fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames/s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent MP (24MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 includes tracking focus
 weather proof
 better than average battery power (510 per charge)
 lack of phase detect AF
76
 megapixel count good (21MP)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 supports tracking autofocus
 weather sealing
 has phase detect AF
 no image stabilization
Photography Glossary
Travel Comparison
Leica SL2-S Travel photography details
Nikon Z30 Travel photography details
65
 better than average battery power (510 CIPA)
 weather proof
 has bluetooth
 supports focus via touch
 decent MP (24MP)
 heavier than competition in class (931 grams)
 screen is not selfie friendly
78
 weather sealing
 supports bluetooth
 has focus via touch
 megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
 display is selfie friendly
 heavier than competition in class (405 grams)
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Landscape Comparison
Leica SL2-S Landscape photography information
Nikon Z30 Landscape photography information
85
 focusing manually
 swap lenses (Leica L mount)
 screen size is decent (3.2 inch)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 decent MP (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 no anti aliasing filter
 very good high ISO (50,000)
 exports RAW formats
 weather proof
 better than average battery power (510 shots)
 has double storage slots
80
 manual focus
 switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 nice screen size (3.00 inch)
 megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
 decent sensor size (APS-C)
 doesnt have anti-alias filter
 very good high ISO (51,200)
 supports RAW formats
 weather sealing
 no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison
Leica SL2-S Vlogging features
Nikon Z30 Vlogging features
32
 built-in touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 includes face detect focusing
 great video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
 comes with mic port
 screen is not selfie friendly
 heavier than competition in class (931g)
74
 display is selfie friendly
 touchscreen capability
 supports face detection focusing
 good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
 has external mic port
 no image stabilization
 heavier than competition in class (405 grams)
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Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z30 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z30
 Leica SL2-SNikon Z30
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model type Leica SL2-S Nikon Z30
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2020-12-10 2022-06-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 5568 x 3712
Max native ISO 50000 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data    
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Autofocus continuous    
Autofocus single    
Tracking autofocus    
Selective autofocus    
Autofocus center weighted    
Multi area autofocus    
Autofocus live view    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Total focus points 225 209
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 36 35
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 3.00 inches
Display resolution 2,100 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 1800 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack    
Headphone jack    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 931 gr (2.05 pounds) 405 gr (0.89 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 128 x 74 x 60mm (5.0" x 2.9" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 510 shots 330 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) -
Storage slots 2 One
Price at release $4,895 $650