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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850

Portability
57
Imaging
79
Features
83
Overall
80
Leica SL2 front
 
Nikon D850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
77
Features
87
Overall
81

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 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 Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Revealed November 2019
  • Succeeded the Leica SL
Nikon D850
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1015g - 146 x 124 x 79mm
  • Launched August 2017
  • Previous Model is Nikon D810
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Leica SL2 versus Nikon D850, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the SL2 (47MP) and the D850 (46MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The SL2 was unveiled 2 years after the D850 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Leica SL2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon D850 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summary of how the SL2 scores against the D850 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Nikon D850

 SL2 D850 
LaunchedNovember 2019August 2017Newer by 27 months

Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Leica SL2

 D850 SL2 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2359k2100kClearer screen (+259k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL2 and Nikon D850

 SL2 D850 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Leica SL2 enjoys outer dimensions of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") along with a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs) whilst the Nikon D850 has dimensions of 146mm x 124mm x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1") having a weight of 1015 grams (2.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica SL2 versus Nikon D850 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SL2 vs the D850.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SL2 and D850 is 57 and 54 respectively.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by checking out specifications. The image below should provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL2 and D850.

To sum up, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Leica SL2 to provide more detail having an extra 1MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger SL2 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 sensor size comparison

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL2 Portrait photography info
Nikon D850 Portrait photography info
87
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is high (47 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
86
manual focus
MP count great (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL2 as a Street photography camera
Nikon D850 as a Street photography camera
72
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (50,000)
no articulating screen
66
screen tilts
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,015g)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL2 Sports photography advice
Nikon D850 Sports photography advice
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/40,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is high (47 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
not so great battery life (370 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count great (46MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
good battery life (1,840 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL2 Travel photography factors
Nikon D850 Travel photography factors
65
weather proof
supports bluetooth
provides touch focus
sensor resolution is high (47MP)
not so great battery life (370 shots)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
65
good battery life (1,840 per charge)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
MP count great (46 megapixels)
more heavy than competition (1,015g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica SL2
Landscape photography with Nikon D850
83
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is high (47MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (50,000)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
not so great battery life (370 per charge)
82
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
MP count great (46 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good battery life (1,840 shots)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL2 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon D850 as a Vlogging camera
35
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
29
touchscreen capability
offers face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (1,015g)
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Nikon D850
 Leica SL2Nikon D850
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica SL2 Nikon D850
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2019-11-06 2017-08-24
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro III Expeed 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 47MP 46MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8368 x 5584 8256 x 5504
Highest native ISO 50000 25600
Highest enhanced ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO 50 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
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 Tilting
Display diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of display 2,100k dot 2,359k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.75x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1800s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/40000s -
Continuous shutter speed 20.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Front-curtain sync (normal), Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 835 gr (1.84 lbs) 1015 gr (2.24 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 146 x 124 x 79mm (5.7" x 4.9" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 100
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 2660
Other
Battery life 370 photos 1840 photos
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 EN-EL15a
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) + XQD
Storage slots 2 2
Price at release $5,995 $2,997