Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850
57 Imaging
79 Features
83 Overall
80


54 Imaging
77 Features
87 Overall
81
Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Key Specs
(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
(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

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).

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.

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Leica SL2 & Nikon D850. The full galleries are viewable at Leica SL2 Gallery & Nikon D850 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Nikon D850
SL2 | D850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2019 | ![]() | August 2017 | Newer by 27 months |
Reasons to pick Nikon D850 over the Leica SL2
D850 | SL2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 2359k | ![]() | 2100k | Clearer screen (+259k dot) |
Common features in the Leica SL2 and Nikon D850
SL2 | D850 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3.2" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850 Specifications
Leica SL2 | Nikon 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 |