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

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Leica Q2

  • Less expensive
    $3605 vs $5198
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 91 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 25 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 14 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Leica Q2 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Newer
    5 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    47.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 10.5 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/40000 vs 1/16000 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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • 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

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.

  • Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.

  • Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $7595
  • 35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica Q2
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Leica Q2 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica Q

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica Q
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in GPS
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica Q

Leica Q2
Leica Q
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica Q2 vs Leica Q

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica Q2
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Leica Q2 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Leica Q2
Sony A9
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica Q2 vs Sony A9

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Zeiss ZX1
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Zeiss ZX1

Leica Q2
Zeiss ZX1
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $6000
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Leica Q2 vs Zeiss ZX1

Compare Other Cameras?