Canon EOS 1D X Mark II vs Leica SL Typ 601 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 20.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
73
WINNER
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Leica SL Typ 601
71
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 1D X Mark II is a DSLR on the EF mount, announced in February 2016. The Leica SL Typ 601 is a mirrorless body on the L mount, announced in October 2015. The mount you choose decides which native lens system you buy into. The SL is both lighter and smaller: 847 g against 1530 g, and 147 x 104 x 39 mm against 158 x 168 x 83 mm, a 683 g weight saving. That is the number to weigh when packing a body for a long day on foot. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2016 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 2, 2016 | October 20, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR |  Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 158 x 168 x 83 mm | 147 x 104 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 1530 g | 847 g |
| Optics | 72/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Leica SL gives you more pixels to work with, 24 MP against 20.2 MP, so there is more room to crop a distant subject or print larger. Canon answers with speed for action: 16 fps against 11 fps, and 61 autofocus points against 49. Sensor format is shared: both are full-frame CMOS, and both shutters reach 1/8000 second for wide-aperture work in bright light. Neither offers in-body stabilisation, so handheld frames in dim light rely on the lens. The viewfinders differ: Canon uses an optical pentaprism, while the SL's electronic finder shows a 4,400,000-dot live preview of exposure. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.2 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 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. |
24 x 36 | 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. |
16 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 6+ | 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. |
4096003003280000 | 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 | 69/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe SL is the better pick for slow-motion work, reaching a 120 fps maximum video frame rate against the Canon's 60 fps. Half-speed playback from the Leica keeps twice the frames and looks smoother. Both record in 4K, so either body delivers full-resolution video. The SL also has a built-in intervalometer, so timelapses need no external gear; the Canon does not. Canon writes MOV and MP4 files while the Leica records MPEG-4. | ||
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. |
No |  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. |
MOV, MP4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 74/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWireless transfer is the practical split: the SL has Wi-Fi for moving files to a phone in the field, while the 1D X Mark II has neither Wi-Fi nor Bluetooth. That matters for filing images from a stadium. Canon's rear screen is the better one for checking focus, at 3.2 inches and 1,620,000 dots against the SL's 3 inches and 1,040,000 dots. Both are touch screens, and neither has a flip screen or built-in flash. GPS and weather sealing appear on both bodies. | ||
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
16200001150001500000 | 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 79/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Canon's rated battery life is far longer, at 1210 shots against the SL's 400, an 810-shot gap. Neither camera charges over USB. Card formats differ: Canon takes Compact Flash and CFast 2.0, while the SL uses SD, SDHC and SDXC cards with UHS-II support for fast writes. Both have dual card slots. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash, CFast 2.0 | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E19 | BP-SCL4 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
1210 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 Canon EOS 1D X Mark II if your photography is action-driven: its 16 fps burst, 61 AF points and 1210-shot battery rating suit sports, wildlife take-offs and long event days. Existing EF glass makes it the natural fit.
Choose the Leica SL Typ 601 for travel and lighter everyday work: it saves 683 g in the bag, its 24 MP sensor gives extra cropping room, and Wi-Fi plus 120 fps video suit sharing and slow-motion projects. The L mount opens Leica's native lens range.