Leica X2 vs Leica SL2

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Leica X2 vs Leica SL2

APS-C 369.7mm²
16.2 megapixels
36.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica X2 Review.

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

Go in depth with our full Leica SL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.

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Differences

Leica X2 advantages over Leica SL2

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

450 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
345g vs 928g
Lighter weight

Leica SL2 advantages over Leica X2

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.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
5K vs No
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
4 years vs 12 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More dots on screen
2100k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
47.3 vs 16.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 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 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 8 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 vs 1/2000 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

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
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 panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Leica X2

Leica X2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL2

Body Only

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Leica X2.
Read our Leica X2 Preview

We haven’t finished our review of the Leica SL2, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Leica SL2 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica X2

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$1499
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
More dots on screen

Compare Leica X2 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Leica SL2

Sigma DP1 Merrill

$5992
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$849
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Lighter weight

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Nikon Coolpix A

Leica X2

Nikon Coolpix A

$1499
APS-C

More telephoto lens reach
Longer stills battery life

$1097
APS-C

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

Compare Leica X2 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Leica SL2

Nikon Coolpix A

$5992
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1097
APS-C

Internal flash
Higher max flash sync

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon Coolpix A

Compared to Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica X2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$1499
APS-C

$1534
APS-C

Compare Leica X2 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Leica SL2

Leica X-E (Typ 102)

$5992
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$1534
APS-C

Internal flash
Higher max flash sync

Compare Leica SL2 vs Leica X-E (Typ 102)

Compared to Leica M10-R

Leica X2

Leica M10-R

$1499
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$8295
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Leica X2 vs Leica M10-R

Leica SL2

Leica M10-R

$5992
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$8295
35mm

Bigger pixels
Lighter weight

Compare Leica SL2 vs Leica M10-R

Compared to Sony A1

Leica X2

Sony A1

$1499
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Internal flash

$6498
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Leica X2 vs Sony A1

Leica SL2

Sony A1

$5992
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

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