• APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 47.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Leica CL advantages over Leica Q2

  • Less expensive
    $3195 vs $5198
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Leica Q2 advantages over Leica CL

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    47.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/25000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Leica Q

Leica CL
Leica Q
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica Q2
Leica Q
  • $5563
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Leica Q2
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $5563
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to 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
Leica Q2
Sony A6500
  • $5563
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Leica CL
Zeiss ZX1
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Top deck display
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Leica Q2
Zeiss ZX1
  • $5563
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Leica Q2
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $5563
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Compare Other Cameras?