Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D500

Cameras
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Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D500

35mm 864.0mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D500 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D500 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D500.
Compare Nikon D500 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D500 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2
Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon D500

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Nikon D500

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.22 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark D500 test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 1,324 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
39 mm vs 81 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.67x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.2 vs 20.9 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D500 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$1597 vs $3605*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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

1240 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
More dots on screen
2359k vs 1040k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 33 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
1638400 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D500 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D500

Body Only

Body Only
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition
Kit with 16-80mm f/2.8-4 Lens

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

Superb image quality; Great high ISO performance; Rugged, comfortable camera body; Sharp articulating touchscreen display; Excellent AF point frame coverage; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K UHD video; Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth.
Somewhat large for an APS-C camera; Expensive for a DX camera; 4K UHD video doesn't offer full DX field-of-view; No built-in flash; Still uses contrast-detect for Live View AF; Dual slots use two different card types (XQD and SD).
Read our Nikon D500 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax K-3 II

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Pentax K-3 II

Nikon D500

Pentax K-3 II

$1598
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$830
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Pentax K-3 II

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)

Nikon D500

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7595
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D500 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Sony A68

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A68

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A68

Nikon D500

Sony A68

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A68

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)

Nikon D500

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$1598
APS-C

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D500 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$3295
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Nikon D500

Sony A9

$1598
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3295
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D500 vs Sony A9

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