• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 45.7 megapixels
  • ISO 64 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Nikon D850

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.35 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 78 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 200 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.5 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D850 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Less expensive
    $2497 vs $3605
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~0.20 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,660 vs 1,821 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.8 vs 13.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1840 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    2359k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    200 vs 33 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

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.

  • Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.

  • Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.

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
Nikon D850
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
Nikon D850
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A99 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A99 II
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D850
Sony A99 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

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
Nikon D850
Sony A9
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $3147
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Pentax K-1 II
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D850
Pentax K-1 II
  • $2664
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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