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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5

Portability
57
Imaging
80
Features
83
Overall
81
Leica SL2 front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 Key Specs

Leica SL2
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - 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
  • 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Revealed November 2019
  • Older Model is Leica SL
Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Raise to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Succeeded the Nikon D4s
  • Renewed by Nikon D6
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Leica SL2 and Nikon D5, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Pro DSLR by rivals Leica and Nikon. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the SL2 (47MP) and D5 (21MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The SL2 was launched 3 years after the D5 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica SL2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon D5 being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SL2 matches up vs the D5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Nikon D5

 SL2 D5 
RevealedNovember 2019January 2016More modern by 47 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Leica SL2

 D5 SL2 
Display resolution2359k2100kClearer display (+259k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL2 and Nikon D5

 SL2 D5 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica SL2 features outside dimensions of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs) whilst the Nikon D5 has proportions of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

See the Leica SL2 and Nikon D5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SL2 against the D5.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SL2 and D5 is 57 and 50 respectively.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading through technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SL2 and D5.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Leica SL2 to resolve more detail utilizing its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher SL2 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL2 Portrait photography info
Nikon D5 Portrait photography info
88
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (47MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
82
focusing manually
good resolution (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL2 Street photography information
Nikon D5 Street photography information
72
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
has focus via touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (50,000)
no moving screen
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
above average ISO range (102,400)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL2 as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Sports photography camera
80
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shooting (1/40,000s)
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (47MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
not so great battery (370 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
good resolution (21 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery pack (3,780 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL2 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proofing
has bluetooth
has focus via touch
megapixel count amazing (47MP)
not so great battery (370 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
great battery pack (3,780 shots)
weather proof
good resolution (21 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica SL2
Landscape photography with Nikon D5
83
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count amazing (47MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (50,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery (370 CIPA)
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
good resolution (21MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery pack (3,780 shots)
two card slots
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL2 Vlogging highlights
Nikon D5 Vlogging highlights
36
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
30
touchscreen functionality
offers face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Nikon D5
 Leica SL2Nikon D5
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model type Leica SL2 Nikon D5
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro DSLR
Revealed 2019-11-06 2016-01-05
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro III Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 8368 x 5584 5588 x 3712
Maximum native ISO 50000 102400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 3280000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 225 153
Cross type focus points - 99
Lens
Lens support Leica L Nikon F
Number of lenses 30 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 2,100 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.72x
Features
Min shutter speed 1800s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/40000s -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames/s 14.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 835 gr (1.84 pounds) 1415 gr (3.12 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 88
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2434
Other
Battery life 370 shots 3780 shots
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 EN-EL18a
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Card slots 2 2
Retail price $5,995 $6,500