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Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9

Portability
55 Imaging
77 Features
84 Overall
79
Leica SL2-S front
 
Nikon Z9 front
Portability
51 Imaging
82 Features
90 Overall
85

Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 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 Z9
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Expand to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 1340g - 149 x 150 x 91mm
  • Released October 2021
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Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Leica and Nikon. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the SL2-S (24MP) and Z9 (46MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The SL2-S was introduced 10 months prior to the Z9 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the SL2-S scores against the Z9 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Leica SL2-S over the Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 SL2-S Z9 
Display resolution2100k2089kSharper display (+11k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Nikon Z9 over the Leica SL2-S

		

		

			
 Z9 SL2-S 
ReleasedOctober 2021December 2020More recent by 10 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z9

		

		

			
 SL2-S Z9 
Focus manually  More accurate focus
Display size3.2"3.2"Same display measurement
Selfie screen  Lacking selfie screen
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Leica SL2-S features physical measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") along with a weight of 931 grams (2.05 lbs) and the Nikon Z9 has specifications of 149mm x 150mm x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs).
Analyze the Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z9 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SL2-S and the Z9.
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 size comparison
Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SL2-S and Z9 is 55 and 51 respectively.
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Usually, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The photograph underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SL2-S and Z9.
As you can tell, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon Z9 to offer you extra detail using its extra 22 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The older SL2-S is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.
	
			Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
 Leica SL2-S as a Portrait photography camera
 Nikon Z9 as a Portrait photography camera
86
 manual focus
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 offers face detection focusing
 delivers RAW files
89
 you can focus manually
 resolution is great (46MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 features face detect focusing
 supports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Leica SL2-S Street photography info
Nikon Z9 Street photography info
66
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 delivers RAW files
 features focus via touch
 environment proofing
 above average high ISO (50,000)
 screen does not articulate
 heavier than average in class (931g)
70
 screen tilts up and down
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 supports RAW files
 includes touch to focus
 environment proofing
 great ISO range (25,600)
 heavier than competitors (1,340g)
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Sports Comparison
Sports photography with Leica SL2-S
Sports photography with Nikon Z9
83
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
 quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
 fast shooting (20.0 frames/s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 megapixel count good (24MP)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 offers tracking autofocus
 environment proofing
 better than average battery life (510 shots)
 doesn't have phase detect AF
91
 quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
 high fps (30.0 fps)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is great (46MP)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 features tracking focus
 environment proofing
 good battery pack (740 shots)
 has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Leica SL2-S
Travel photography with Nikon Z9
65
 better than average battery life (510 CIPA)
 environment proofing
 has bluetooth
 features focus via touch
 megapixel count good (24MP)
 heavier than average in class (931g)
 does not posses selfie friendly display
65
 good battery pack (740 CIPA)
 environment proofing
 connects via bluetooth
 includes touch to focus
 resolution is great (46 megapixels)
 heavier than competitors (1,340 grams)
 does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Leica SL2-S
Landscape photography with Nikon Z9
86
 manual focus
 switch lenses (Leica L mount)
 screen size is good (3.2")
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 doesnt have low pass filter
 above average high ISO (50,000)
 delivers RAW files
 environment proofing
 better than average battery life (510 CIPA)
 two card slots
87
 you can focus manually
 interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 good sized screen (3.2 inches)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 resolution is great (46 megapixels)
 sensor size is big (Full frame)
 great ISO range (25,600)
 supports RAW files
 environment proofing
 good battery pack (740 per charge)
 2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison
Leica SL2-S Vlogging advice
Nikon Z9 Vlogging advice
32
 touch screen
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 offers face detection focusing
 high video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
 comes with external mic socket
 does not posses selfie friendly display
 heavier than average in class (931 grams)
32
 touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 features face detect focusing
 high quality video (7680 x 4320 pixels)
 has mic support
 does not posses selfie friendly display
 heavier than competitors (1,340g)
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Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z9
 Leica SL2-SNikon Z9
General Information
Brand Leica Nikon
Model Leica SL2-S Nikon Z9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2020-12-10 2021-10-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS Stacked CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 46MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 50000 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW files    
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
AF touch    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
AF selectice    
Center weighted AF    
Multi area AF    
Live view AF    
Face detect focusing    
Contract detect focusing    
Phase detect focusing    
Number of focus points 225 493
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Nikon Z
Available lenses 36 29
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 2,100 thousand dots 2,089 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.8x
Features
Min shutter speed 1800 secs 900 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs -
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 20.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off
External flash    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Supported 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 7680 x 4320 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM7680 x 4320 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, ProRes, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, L
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, H.265
Mic support    
Headphone support    
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 Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 931 grams (2.05 lbs) 1340 grams (2.95 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 149 x 150 x 91mm (5.9" x 5.9" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 510 photos 740 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 EN-EL18d
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting    
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual CFexpress Type B slots
Card slots Two Two
Retail cost $4,895 $5,500