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Leica TL vs Nikon Z5

Portability
85
Imaging
60
Features
58
Overall
59
Leica TL front
 
Nikon Z5 front
Portability
62
Imaging
77
Features
86
Overall
80

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 Key Specs

Leica TL
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 384g - 134 x 69 x 33mm
  • Released November 2016
  • Replacement is Leica TL2
Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
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Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Leica TL and Nikon Z5, both Advanced Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the TL (16MP) and Z5 (24MP) and the TL (APS-C) and Z5 (Full frame) posses different sensor size.

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The TL was announced 4 years prior to the Z5 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Leica TL being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the TL grades vs the Z5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica TL over the Nikon Z5

 TL Z5 
Display dimensions3.7"3.2"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1230k1040kClearer display (+190k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Leica TL

 Z5 TL 
ReleasedJuly 2020November 2016Newer by 45 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Leica TL and Nikon Z5

 TL Z5 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica TL comes with physical measurements of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 384 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Nikon Z5 has measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Leica TL and Nikon Z5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the TL versus the Z5.

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the TL and Z5 is 85 and 62 respectively.

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 top view buttons comparison

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TL and Z5.

As you can see, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The TL with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Nikon Z5 will give more detail with its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more aged TL is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 sensor size comparison

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica TL as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z5 as a Portrait photography camera
76
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
86
manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica TL
Street photography with Nikon Z5
70
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
no moving screen
no image stabilization
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features focus by touch
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than average in class (675g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica TL
Sports photography with Nikon Z5
55
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect auto focus
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery pack (470 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica TL
Travel photography with Nikon Z5
70
supports focus via touch
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
68
good battery pack (470 CIPA)
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
decent megapixels (24MP)
more heavy than average in class (675 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica TL as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen larger than average (3.7 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
87
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
good battery pack (470 shots)
two card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica TL Vlogging advice
Nikon Z5 Vlogging advice
33
touchscreen capability
features face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing microphone jack
34
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (675 grams)
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Leica TL vs Nikon Z5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica TL and Nikon Z5
 Leica TLNikon Z5
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model Leica TL Nikon Z5
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2016-11-08 2020-07-20
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 858.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 6016 x 4016
Maximum native ISO 12500 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 273
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Nikon Z
Number of lenses 4 15
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3.7" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,230 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,690 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.8x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 4.5fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.50 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 384 gr (0.85 lb) 675 gr (1.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3") 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 400 shots 470 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC13 EN-EL15c
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots One Dual
Launch pricing $1,009 $1,399