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Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5

Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
84
Overall
79
Leica SL2-S front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 front
Portability
81
Imaging
52
Features
70
Overall
59

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 Key Specs

Leica SL2-S
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 931g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Launched December 2020
Olympus E-M5
(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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M5 II
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Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 Overview

Following is a in depth assessment of the Leica SL2-S and Olympus E-M5, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced Mirrorless by brands Leica and Olympus. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the SL2-S (24MP) and E-M5 (16MP) and the SL2-S (Full frame) and E-M5 (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The SL2-S was launched 8 years after the E-M5 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SL2-S scores against the E-M5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2-S over the Olympus E-M5

 SL2-S E-M5 
LaunchedDecember 2020April 2012More modern by 105 months
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k610kClearer display (+1490k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 over the Leica SL2-S

 E-M5 SL2-S 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Leica SL2-S and Olympus E-M5

 SL2-S E-M5 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Leica SL2-S features exterior dimensions of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") having a weight of 931 grams (2.05 lbs) while the Olympus E-M5 has sizing of 122mm x 89mm x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 425 grams (0.94 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica SL2-S and Olympus E-M5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SL2-S and the E-M5.

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SL2-S and E-M5 is 55 and 81 respectively.

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking specs. The picture underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SL2-S and E-M5.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SL2-S because of its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Leica SL2-S will resolve more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SL2-S will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 sensor size comparison

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica SL2-S
Portrait photography with Olympus E-M5
86
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL2-S Street photography features
Olympus E-M5 Street photography features
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
environment proofing
very good ISO range (50,000)
fixed screen
more heavy than average (931 grams)
82
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL2-S Sports photography advice
Olympus E-M5 Sports photography advice
83
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
high frames per second (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery (510 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL2-S Travel photography information
Olympus E-M5 Travel photography information
65
great battery (510 per charge)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
more heavy than average (931g)
screen is not selfie friendly
66
environment sealing
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL2-S Landscape photography information
Olympus E-M5 Landscape photography information
86
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery (510 shots)
has double storage slots
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica SL2-S
Vlogging with Olympus E-M5
32
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average (931 grams)
34
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no external mic support
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Leica SL2-S vs Olympus E-M5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2-S and Olympus E-M5
 Leica SL2-SOlympus OM-D E-M5
General Information
Make Leica Olympus
Model Leica SL2-S Olympus OM-D E-M5
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2020-12-10 2012-04-30
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - TruePic VI
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 50000 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Min boosted ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 225 35
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 36 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dots 610 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Touch control in electrostatic capacitance type OLED monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.58x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1800 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0fps 9.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync (2), Manual (3 levels)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 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 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 931 grams (2.05 pounds) 425 grams (0.94 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 122 x 89 x 43mm (4.8" x 3.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 71
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 826
Other
Battery life 510 photos 360 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Launch cost $4,895 $799