Canon 1D C vs Leica SL Typ 601 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 18 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon 1D C
60
SCORE
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Leica SL Typ 601
71
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon 1D C and the Leica SL Typ 601 come from different generations of camera design. The 1D C is a DSLR released in 2012, while the SL Typ 601 is a mirrorless body released in 2015. For carrying, the Leica is the lighter and more compact package: 847 g and 147 x 104 x 39 mm, against 1545 g and 158 x 164 x 83 mm for the Canon. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 12, 2012 | October 20, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR |  Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 158 x 164 x 83 mm | 147 x 104 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 1545 g | 847 g |
| Optics | 56/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Leica SL Typ 601 is the stronger choice for large prints and heavy cropping, with 24 MP against 18 MP from the Canon. For fast action the balance reverses. The 1D C shoots at 14 frames per second with 61 autofocus points, while the SL manages 11 fps and 49 points, favouring the Canon for sports and wildlife sequences. The Canon's optical pentaprism viewfinder shows the scene directly, while the Leica previews exposure through a 4,400,000-dot electronic viewfinder. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors and share a 1/8000 second maximum shutter, while neither offers in-body stabilisation. Native lens choice splits by mount, Canon EF against Leica L. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
18 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5184 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
36 x 24 | 24 x 36 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
14 fps045 | 11 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Digic 5+ | Maestro II |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
2048003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
610300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 440000009900000 |
| Video | 83/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow-motion shooters get more room on the Leica, recording at up to 120 fps against 60 fps on the Canon, twice the frames to stretch across slowed playback. Both cameras offer 4K as their maximum video resolution plus built-in timelapse, so detailed footage and interval work are available on either body. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K | 4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
4096 x 2160 | 4096 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MPEG-4, MOV | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 72/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesTouch control and Wi-Fi give the Leica SL Typ 601 the more connected workflow, with screen operation by touch and wireless file transfer. The Canon answers with Bluetooth and a 3.2-inch screen against the Leica's 3 inches, and both screens share 1,040,000 dots. Both cameras offer GPS for location tagging on travel and documentary shoots, along with weather sealing and an external flash shoe. Neither has a built-in flash or a flip-out screen, so framing low or high angles means working without an articulating display on either body. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
 Yes | Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
✗ | ✗ |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | No |
| Storage & battery | 45/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long shoots without a charger, the Canon is the clear choice: its LP-E4N battery is rated for 1120 shots, against 400 shots for the Leica's BP-SCL4. That rating favours events and travel days where swapping batteries is inconvenient, though neither camera charges over USB. The Leica accepts SD, SDHC and SDXC cards at UHS-II speed in dual slots, so two cards of capacity sit inside the body on assignment. The Canon takes CompactFlash Type I or II in a single slot, so spare cards matter for extended coverage. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | No |  Yes |
| Battery type | Lithium-Ion LP-E4N | BP-SCL4 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1120 shots1505000 | 400 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
| Meta | ||
| Field provenance | — | [object Object] |
| Score validation | ||
Version ⓘThe iteration or release number of a particular lens model. |
— | camera-spec-score-v1-sheet-2026-08-20 |
| Status | — | complete |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Leica SL Typ 601 for landscapes, architecture and portraits, where its 24 MP resolution supports large prints and heavy cropping. Its 120 fps slow motion, touch screen, Wi-Fi and dual card slots also suit mixed stills-and-video work.
Choose the Canon 1D C for sports, wildlife and events, where its 14 fps burst and 61 autofocus points suit fast sequences and the 1120-shot battery rating favours all-day coverage. Its optical pentaprism viewfinder and the Canon EF lens system complete the setup.