Nikon D610 vs Leica SL2

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D610 vs Leica SL2

35mm 861.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D610 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D610 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D610.
Compare Nikon D610 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D610 conclusion.

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

Nikon D610 advantages over Leica SL2

Less expensive
$1997 vs $4900*
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.97 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

900 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica SL2 advantages over Nikon D610

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
5K vs 1080p
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
Thinner
42 mm vs 82 mm
Thinner
Newer
4 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 921k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.70x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
47.3 vs 24.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 15 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 25600 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
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 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 D610 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

Buy From

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Buy the Nikon D610

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-85mm and 70-300mm lenses, wireless adapter, bag
Kit with 24-85mm lens
Kit with 28-300mm lens and accessory bundle

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL2

Body Only

Review Excerpt

Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.
Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.
Read our Nikon D610 Express Review

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 Canon 6D

Nikon D610

Canon 6D

$1271
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

$1699
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D610 vs Canon 6D

Leica SL2

Canon 6D

$6263
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1699
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon 6D

Compared to Nikon D600

Nikon D610

Nikon D600

$1271
35mm

Faster RAW shooting

$1900
35mm

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D600

Leica SL2

Nikon D600

$6263
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1900
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Nikon D750

Nikon D610

Nikon D750

$1271
35mm

Fast startup

$1698
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D610 vs Nikon D750

Leica SL2

Nikon D750

$6263
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1698
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon D750

Compared to Leica M10-R

Nikon D610

Leica M10-R

$1271
35mm

Lens selection
Internal flash

$8295
35mm

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Nikon D610 vs Leica M10-R

Leica SL2

Leica M10-R

$6263
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

Nikon D610

Sony A1

$1271
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$6499
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D610 vs Sony A1

Leica SL2

Sony A1

$6263
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$6499
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

Compare Other Cameras?