Leica TL vs Leica CL

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Leica TL vs Leica CL

APS-C 370.5mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,500

Go in depth with our full Leica TL Review.

APS-C 370.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica CL Review.

Succeeded by the Leica TL2
Compare TL vs TL2
Compare Leica TL2 vs Leica CL

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Differences

Leica TL advantages over Leica CL

Less expensive
$1350 vs $3195
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 4.77 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

400 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
33 mm vs 45 mm
Thinner

Leica CL advantages over Leica TL

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
24.2 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
140 vs 12 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/25000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 12500 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Neither provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read TL User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read CL User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica TL

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)
Body Only (Titanium)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-56mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18mm lens (Black)

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica TL.
Read our Leica TL Preview

We haven’t reviewed the Leica CL.
Read our Leica CL Preview

The Competition

Compared to Leica T (Typ 701)

Leica TL

Leica T (Typ 701)

$1350
APS-C

$2800
APS-C

Compare Leica TL vs Leica T (Typ 701)

Leica CL

Leica T (Typ 701)

$3195
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$2800
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Leica CL vs Leica T (Typ 701)

Compared to Samsung NX3000

Leica TL

Samsung NX3000

$1350
APS-C

Touchscreen
Internal flash

$950
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica TL vs Samsung NX3000

Leica CL

Samsung NX3000

$3195
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

$950
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
NFC

Compare Leica CL vs Samsung NX3000

Compared to Sony A6500

Leica TL

Sony A6500

$1350
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica TL vs Sony A6500

Leica CL

Sony A6500

$3195
APS-C

Top deck display
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1198
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Sony A6500

Compared to Leica TL2

Leica TL

Leica TL2

$1350
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2495
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Leica TL vs Leica TL2

Leica CL

Leica TL2

$3195
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-camera panoramas

$2495
APS-C

Less expensive
Thinner

Compare Leica CL vs Leica TL2

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica TL

Fujifilm X-Pro3

$1350
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$1799
APS-C

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Leica TL vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica CL

Fujifilm X-Pro3

$3195
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
More viewfinder magnification

$1799
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

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