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Leica TL

 
Leica TL front
 
Portability
85
Imaging
60
Features
58
Overall
59

Leica TL overview

Leica TL is Leica's Advanced Mirrorless digital camera originally released on November of 2016. The camera includes a 16MP, CMOS APS-C sized sensor and has a maximum resolution of 4928 x 3264.

Leica brought out the more recent Leica TL2 (Read Full Comparison) in an effort to improve this model.

The TL is rated #50 out of 62 in Advanced Mirrorless cameras & all around #320 out of 1465 for cameras in our list. Remember to try our Advanced camera filter to get camera results based on your personalized requirements.

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Here is a graph of specific criteria used in the scoring system.

Leica TL history

The Leica TL is part of a family of products. You can see the full range below.

ModelVisualizeResolutionSensor SizeMax fpsReleased
Leica-TL2 front thumbnailLeica TL2
TL vs TL2
24MPAPS-C7.0 fps2017
Leica-TL front thumbnailLeica TL16MPAPS-C5.0 fps2016
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Leica TL Pros and Cons

Below is a selection of benefits and drawbacks of the Leica TL based on factors that are normally viewed as useful in a digital camera.

bigger than average screen (3.7 inch)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually
good resolution screen (1,230 thousand dots)
great min ISO (100)
has built in flash
has focus via touch
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
supports face detection focusing
supports tracking autofocus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
touchscreen enabled
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic support
does not have HDMI out
does not have headphone support
does not have phase detect AF
does not have Time Lapse function
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
no moving screen
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Leica TL Sensor info

The sensor specification in the Leica TL is 23.6mm x 15.7mm (APS-C). The 371 mm² sensor can resolve 4928 x 3264 pixels at aspect ratios of 3:2.

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The CMOS sensor has 16 megapixels and features a standard ISO range of 100 - 12500. RAW format is supported therefore the user has wider margin for error.

The image below shows the TL's sensor dimensions in comparison to other popular sizes. The TL sensor has a crop factor of 1.5 and is pointed out in green.

Leica TL sensor size Photography Glossary

To get an idea of various aspect ratios, you can refer to the graphic below.

Camera sensor aspect ratios

Leica TL dimensions

Leica TL weighs in at 0.85 pounds (384g / 13.55 ounces) & has outside proportions of 134mm x 69mm x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3"). The weight of normal Advanced Mirrorless camera is 454g so the Leica TL is lighter when compared with various rivals.

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Listed below is a photo of the Leica TL beside a soda to help you to get a sense of its scale.

Leica TL dimensions scale

The top view directly below will provide the button design on the TL.

Leica TL topview buttons dials

Leica TL Lens info

The TL uses the Leica L mount and has 52 lenses available to buy. Below is a small number of the lenses we have in our collection which will work with the TL.

ModelVisualizeFocal LengthApertureStabilizedWeight
Sigma-28mm-F1.4-DG-HSM-A-Leica-L lensSigma 28mm F1.4 DG HSM A28mmf/1.40g
Sigma-35mm-F1.2-DG-DN-Art-Leica-SL lensSigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art35mmf/1.21090g
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Leica-APO-Summicron-SL-35mm-F2-ASPH lensLeica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm F2 ASPH35mmf/2720g
Leica-APO-Summicron-SL-90mm-F2-ASPH lensLeica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm F2 ASPH90mmf/2700g
Leica-Vario-Elmarit-SL-24-70mm-F2.8-ASPH lensLeica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm F2.8 ASPH24-70mmf/2.8856g
Sigma-24mm-F3.5-DG-L-Mount lensSigma 24mm F3.5 DG24mmf/3.5 225g
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Sigma-45mm-F2.8-DG-DN-Contemporary-Leica-SL,-Sony-FE lensSigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary45mmf/2.8215g
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Leica TL Connectivity

The TL has the following connectivity:

  • USB Yes
  • Wireless Yes
  • GPS Yes

Cameras which have NFC or Bluetooth connectivity can easily be controlled wirelessly through smartphones. You can transfer files and oftentimes adjust settings without connecting directly to the camera.

Some applications even provide a Liveview and click the shutter in case you aren't near the camera. If the camera contains a HDMI port, it could be hooked up to an external display. Almost all cameras will allow you to recharge the battery through the USB port.

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Leica TL Video info

The maximum video quality in the Leica TL is 1920 x 1080 and you can capture in MPEG-4 file format. 1080p quality gives you an excellent balance in video quality and file sizes but FULL HD isn't going to leave you with any room to crop. The camera doesn't feature a microphone or headphone port which means that you have got no control over the sound. It is perhaps a better idea to consider another camera should you need decent sound for your videos.

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Leica TL Weather Sealing

Leica TL doesn't include weather sealing so wet conditions may affect the camera.

Leica TL Screen and Viewfinder

The Leica TL includes a 3.7 inch fixed screen boasting a resolution of 1,230 thousand dots.

Moreover the screen is touch friendly which means you can set focus point and change settings using your fingers.

Leica TL screen and viewfinder President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The ViewFinder specs for Leica TL are the following:

  • ViewFinder Electronic (optional)

Viewfinders can be really helpful in bright outdoor conditions which may make the camera screen washed out and hard to see.

Leica TL Shutter info

Leica TL can shoot continuously at 5.0 frames per second. The maximum shutter speed is 1/4000 sec.

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Leica TL Flash and Hot shoe info

Leica TL features both inbuilt flash as well as external flash ability.

Leica TL Autofocusing info

Leica TL features just Contrast Based AF & doesn't have Phase Detect AF. Phase Detection focusing is more snappier & exact when compared with Contrast Based focusing. The camera includes Face detection which is handy for taking portraits of people.

Leica TL has tap to focus. You can use your fingers in order to switch focus. It also has Tracking AF for subjects on the move. Leica TL can use manual focusing in case it is needed in low light scenarios or you want to have more exact focusing control.

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Leica TL Battery life

The battery (BP-DC13) for the Leica TL is made to last for 400 pictures as per the CIPA measurements making it similar to it's competition. The general Advanced Mirrorless camera battery life is 390. Sony A6600 has the highest possible (810) battery life in this range of cameras.

Listed below is a number of Advanced Mirrorless cameras which have the best battery life:

ModelVisualizeBattery LifeRAWNFCBluetooth
Sony-Alpha-a6600 front thumbnailSony A6600
TL vs A6600
810 yesyesyes
Sony-Alpha-A7c front thumbnailSony A7c
TL vs A7c
740 yesyesyes
Photography Glossary
Canon-EOS-R7 front thumbnailCanon R7
TL vs R7
660 yesnoyes

Leica TL for varying categories of photography

The following graph shows a analysis of the Leica TL for varying categories of photography. To check out more, visit the specific paragraph below.

Leica TL Portrait photography features

The Leica TL gets a score of 76 which is brilliant, and means the camera is a outstanding fit for portraits. Shooting portrait photos leans greatly towards sensor resolution, support for RAW photos in addition to the flexibility to use off-camera flash.

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manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files

Leica TL as a Street photography camera

Getting a above average rating of 70, the Leica TL is a good fit to buy for street photography. A very good street photography camera offers a fine balance of picture quality plus portability.

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good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization

Leica TL as a Sports photography camera

A modest sports photography points total of 55 suggests the Leica TL is relatively suited for taking photos of sports. A camera really should have excellent focusing and fast shutter speeds for sports photography.

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MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus

Leica TL Travel photography factors

Weight is pretty important in getting a travel camera. All round, the Leica TL gets a above average 70 for a travel camera which makes it a fine pick for your travels.

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includes focus by touch
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly screen

Leica TL Landscape photography highlights

For those who are planning to purchase a camera for landscape photography, the most essential aspect is going to be image quality. The Leica TL and it's above average rating of 70 as a landscape camera is a respectable option among it's competition.

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you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
lovely big screen (3.7 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording

Leica TL Vlogging information

A camera for vlogging ought to offer a articulating screen, mic input and preferably image stabilization. Taking all things in to account, the Leica TL is just not acceptable for vlogging as it gets a awful score of 33.

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touchscreen capability
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone socket

Leica TL Alternatives

If you want alternatives to the TL, below is a selection of the top rated cameras which fall in to the class of Advanced Mirrorless.

The diagram down below will give you a summary of the TL compared to it's highest scored rivals suggested earlier.

These are various other cameras you might look at as alternative options. To look at a comprehensive comparison, simply click the "compare" link.

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Specifications

General Information
Manufacturer
Leica
Model type
Leica TL
Category
Advanced Mirrorless
Announced
2016-11-08
Physical type
Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type
CMOS
Sensor size
APS-C
Sensor dimensions
23.6 x 15.7mm
Sensor area
370.5mm²
Sensor resolution
16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio
3:2
Full resolution
4928 x 3264
RAW images
Max native ISO
12500
Minimum native ISO
100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Lens
Lens mount type
Leica L
Number of lenses
4
Crop factor
1.5
Screen
Type of screen
Fixed Type
Screen sizing
3.7 inch
Resolution of screen
1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder
Electronic (optional)
DXO scores
DXO All around rating
not tested
DXO Color Depth rating
not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating
not tested
DXO Low light rating
not tested
Features
Slowest shutter speed
30 secs
Maximum shutter speed
1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate
5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation
Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance
4.50 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings
Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, off, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions
1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Max video resolution
1920x1080
Video data format
MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless
Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB
USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS
Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight
384g (0.85 lb)
Physical dimensions
134 x 69 x 33mm (5.3" x 2.7" x 1.3")
Other
Battery life
400 images
Battery style
Battery Pack
Battery ID
BP-DC13
Self timer
Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage
Internal + SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots
One
Cost at launch
$1,009