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Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8

Portability
57 Imaging
79 Features
83 Overall
80
Leica SL2 front
 
Nikon Z8 front
Portability
55 Imaging
82 Features
83 Overall
82

Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 Key Specs

Leica SL2
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - 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
  • 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Announced November 2019
  • Replaced the Leica SL
Nikon Z8
(Full Review)
  • 46MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.20" Tilting Display
  • ISO 64 - 25600 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 910g - 144 x 119 x 83mm
  • Revealed May 2023
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the SL2 (47MP) and the Z8 (46MP) is very comparable and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The SL2 was announced 4 years prior to the Z8 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief view of how the SL2 matches up vs the Z8 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Nikon Z8

          

          

            
 SL2 Z8 
Display resolution2100k2089kCrisper display (+11k dot)
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Nikon Z8 over the Leica SL2

          

          

            
 Z8 SL2 
RevealedMay 2023November 2019More recent by 42 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Leica SL2 and Nikon Z8

          

          

            
 SL2 Z8 
Focus manually  More precise focus
Display sizing3.2"3.20"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen  Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display  Easily navigate
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 Physical Comparison

          

          

            
For those who are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica SL2 provides outer measurements 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 Z8 has dimensions of 144mm x 119mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 910 grams (2.01 lbs).
Check out the Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SL2 compared to the Z8.
Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 size comparison
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL2 and Z8 is 57 and 55 respectively.
Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements purely by going through specs. The visual below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SL2 and Z8.
All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Leica SL2 to show more detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a little more aggressively. The older SL2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

            Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


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Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
Leica SL2 Portrait photography highlights
Nikon Z8 Portrait photography highlights
87
 manual focus
 fantastic MP (47MP)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 includes face detection autofocus
 exports RAW files
89
 manual focus
 MP count high (46MP)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 has face detect focusing
 saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison
Leica SL2 Street photography info
Nikon Z8 Street photography info
72
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 exports RAW files
 provides focus by touch
 environment proofing
 good high ISO (50,000)
 screen does not articulate
72
 has a tilting screen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 saves RAW formats
 boasts touch focus
 environment proofing
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 heavier than competition in class (910g)
Photography Glossary
Sports Comparison
 Leica SL2 as a Sports photography camera
 Nikon Z8 as a Sports photography camera
79
 maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
 quiet mode (1/40,000 seconds)
 max fps high (20.0 fps)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 fantastic MP (47MP)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 includes tracking autofocus
 environment proofing
 terrible battery power (370 CIPA)
 has no phase detect autofocus
81
 silent mode (1/32,000s)
 high max frames per second (30.0 frames/s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count high (46 megapixels)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 has tracking focus
 environment proofing
 sensor has phase detect AF
 low maximum shutter speed (1/s)
 terrible battery (330 per charge)
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Travel Comparison
 Leica SL2 as a Travel photography camera
 Nikon Z8 as a Travel photography camera
65
 environment proofing
 has bluetooth
 provides focus by touch
 fantastic MP (47 megapixels)
 terrible battery power (370 shots)
 display isn't selfie friendly
61
 environment proofing
 supports bluetooth
 boasts touch focus
 MP count high (46 megapixels)
 terrible battery (330 CIPA)
 heavier than competition in class (910g)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Leica SL2
Landscape photography with Nikon Z8
83
 manual focus
 interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
 nice screen size (3.2 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 fantastic MP (47MP)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 does not have anti-alias filter
 good high ISO (50,000)
 exports RAW files
 environment proofing
 has dual storage slots
 terrible battery power (370 shots)
83
 manual focus
 swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
 nice screen size (3.20 inches)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 MP count high (46 megapixels)
 large sensor size (Full frame)
 above average high ISO (25,600)
 saves RAW formats
 environment proofing
 two card slots
 terrible battery (330 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison
Leica SL2 Vlogging information
Nikon Z8 Vlogging information
35
 screen is touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 includes face detection autofocus
 video resolution high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
 does have external microphone jack
 display isn't selfie friendly
33
 has touchscreen
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 has face detect focusing
 video resolution high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
 includes mic socket
 doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
 heavier than competition in class (910g)
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Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z8 Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Nikon Z8
 Leica SL2Nikon Z8
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model type Leica SL2 Nikon Z8
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2019-11-06 2023-05-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Maestro III -
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 47 megapixel 46 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and  16:9
Maximum resolution 8368 x 5584 8256 x 5504
Maximum native ISO 50000 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW support    
Min boosted ISO 50 32
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
AF touch    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
AF tracking    
AF selectice    
Center weighted AF    
AF multi area    
Live view AF    
Face detection AF    
Contract detection AF    
Phase detection AF    
Total focus points 225 493
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Nikon Z
Available lenses 30 46
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inch 3.20 inch
Screen resolution 2,100 thousand dots 2,089 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch function    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.8x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1800 seconds 900 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/40000 seconds 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Off
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
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 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
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, H.265
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 835g (1.84 lbs) 910g (2.01 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 144 x 119 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.7" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 98
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 2548
Other
Battery life 370 images 330 images
Style of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 EN-EL15c
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse recording    
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot
Card slots 2 2
Price at launch $5,995 $3,999