Nikon D850 vs Leica SL2

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D850 vs Leica SL2

35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 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 D850 advantages over Leica SL2

Less expensive
$2497 vs $4900
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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

1840 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 78 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL2 advantages over Nikon D850

Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Thinner
42 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Newer
4 years vs 7 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/40000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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 panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL2

Body Only

Review Excerpt

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.
Read our Nikon D850 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 5DS R

Nikon D850

Canon 5DS R

$2664
35mm

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1729
35mm

Less expensive

Compare Nikon D850 vs Canon 5DS R

Leica SL2

Canon 5DS R

$6263
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1729
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Leica SL2

Sony A99 II

$6263
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Touchscreen

$3198
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2664
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

Leica SL2

Pentax K-1 II

$6263
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Leica M10-R

Nikon D850

Leica M10-R

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$8295
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Nikon D850 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 D850

Sony A1

$2664
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

$6519
35mm

Slower slow-motion
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A1

Leica SL2

Sony A1

$6263
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$6519
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

Compare Other Cameras?