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Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1

Portability
57 Imaging
79 Features
83 Overall
80
Leica SL2 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M1 front
Portability
71 Imaging
52 Features
85 Overall
65

Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 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
  • Earlier Model is Leica SL
Olympus E-M1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
  • Introduced October 2013
  • Renewed by Olympus E-M1 II
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Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Olympus. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the SL2 (47MP) and E-M1 (16MP) and the SL2 (Full frame) and E-M1 (Four Thirds) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The SL2 was launched 6 years after the E-M1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving into a complete comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SL2 matches up against the E-M1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Olympus E-M1

		

		

			
 SL2 E-M1 
IntroducedNovember 2019October 2013More modern by 74 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k1037kSharper display (+1063k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Leica SL2

		

		

			
 E-M1 SL2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Leica SL2 and Olympus E-M1

		

		

			
 SL2 E-M1 
Manually focus  More exact focusing
Selfie screen  Lack of selfie screen
Touch display  Easily navigate
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Leica SL2 has got external dimensions of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") and a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-M1 has dimensions of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs).
Analyze the Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the SL2 compared to the E-M1.
Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 size comparison
Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SL2 and E-M1 is 57 and 71 respectively.
Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Generally, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by checking specifications. The image below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SL2 and E-M1.
Plainly, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SL2 featuring a larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Leica SL2 will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 31MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The newer SL2 will have an edge in sensor technology.
	
			Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Leica SL2 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-M1 Portrait photography factors
87
 focusing manually
 fantastic sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 offers face detect autofocus
 supports RAW files
71
 focusing manually
 flash sync is higher than normal (1/320s)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 has face detection focusing
 supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
Leica SL2 Street photography details
Olympus E-M1 Street photography details
72
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 supports RAW files
 comes with focus via touch
 environment proof
 great high ISO (50,000)
 screen does not articulate
77
 has a tilting screen
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 supports RAW formats
 offers touch focus
 weather proof
 lighter than others (497g)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison
Leica SL2 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-M1 Sports photography highlights
79
 great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
 silent mode (1/40,000s)
 max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 fantastic sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 offers tracking focus
 environment proof
 terrible battery pack (370 shots)
 has no phase detect autofocus
69
 max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 has tracking autofocus
 weather proof
 sensor has phase detect AF
 low battery pack (350 shots)
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Travel Comparison
Leica SL2 Travel photography information
Olympus E-M1 Travel photography information
65
 environment proof
 connects via bluetooth
 comes with focus via touch
 fantastic sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
 terrible battery pack (370 shots)
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
65
 lighter than others (497g)
 weather proof
 offers touch focus
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 low battery pack (350 shots)
 screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison
Landscape photography with Leica SL2
Landscape photography with Olympus E-M1
83
 focusing manually
 swap lenses (Leica L mount)
 decent sized screen (3.2")
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 fantastic sensor resolution (47 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 does not have low pass filter
 great high ISO (50,000)
 supports RAW files
 environment proof
 2 card slots
 terrible battery pack (370 CIPA)
72
 focusing manually
 change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
 screen size is decent (3 inch)
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
 above average ISO range (25,600)
 supports RAW formats
 weather proof
 low battery pack (350 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison
Leica SL2 Vlogging info
Olympus E-M1 Vlogging info
35
 screen is touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 offers face detect autofocus
 high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
 does have microphone support
 does not have a selfie friendly screen
36
 touchscreen enabled
 image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
 has face detection focusing
 high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 includes external mic socket
 lighter than others (497g)
 screen is not selfie friendly
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Leica SL2 vs Olympus E-M1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Olympus E-M1
 Leica SL2Olympus OM-D E-M1
General Information
Brand Leica Olympus
Model type Leica SL2 Olympus OM-D E-M1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2019-11-06 2013-10-28
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro III TruePIC VII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 8368 x 5584 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 50000 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images    
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch focus    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detection focus    
Contract detection focus    
Phase detection focus    
Total focus points 225 81
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 30 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 2,100k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch functionality    
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 1800 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/40000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Max flash synchronize - 1/320 secs
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 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proofing    
Dust proofing    
Shock proofing    
Crush proofing    
Freeze proofing    
Weight 835 grams (1.84 lbs) 497 grams (1.10 lbs)
Physical dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 73
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 757
Other
Battery life 370 images 350 images
Battery type Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 BLN-1
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom)
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 1
Launch price $5,995 $799