Canon EOS 5D Mark IV vs Leica SL Typ 601 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 30.4 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
75
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 5D Mark IV is a DSLR from 2016, while the Leica SL Typ 601 is a mirrorless camera from 2015. The first choice is therefore between a reflex design and a mirrorless body. The SL is slimmer at 147 x 104 x 39 mm against 151 x 116 x 76 mm, and 43 g lighter at 847 g. The mounts differ, with Canon EF on the 5D Mark IV and Leica L on the SL, so lenses do not swap between systems. An existing lens collection should steer the choice. | ||
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. |
August 25, 2016 | October 20, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR |  Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 151 x 116 x 76 mm | 147 x 104 x 39 mm |
| Camera weight | 890 g | 847 g |
| Optics | 76/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 5D Mark IV is the stronger choice when you want room to crop, with 30.4 MP against 24 MP from the SL. That larger file gives a landscape or wedding photographer more latitude to reframe a shot in editing without losing print size. The SL counters for action work, with a maximum burst rate of 11 fps against 7 fps on the Canon. The 5D Mark IV offers 61 autofocus points to the SL's 49, helping you select a point on an off-centre subject. Both use full frame CMOS sensors and lack in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld work depends on the lens. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
30.4 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6720 x 4480 | 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. |
7 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. |
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. |
320003003280000 | 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. |
1024003003280000 | 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 | 91/100 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record 4K video and offer a built-in timelapse mode, so interval shooting needs no external trigger. Each also reaches a 120 fps maximum frame rate, which slows fast action at normal playback speed. The practical difference is file handling. The 5D Mark IV records MOV and MP4 files, while the SL writes MPEG-4, so match the camera to the formats your editing accepts. | ||
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. |
120 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. |
MOV, MP4 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 74/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesProtection and connectivity are shared, with both cameras carrying GPS, Wi-Fi, weather sealing and a touch TFT LCD screen. A location photographer can geotag, transfer files wirelessly and shoot in rough conditions. Neither has a built-in flash, so both use external units. The Canon's rear screen is the better one for reviewing critical focus, with 1,620,000 dots on a 3.2-inch panel against 1,040,000 on the SL's 3-inch screen. Neither screen flips out, which limits waist-level and overhead framing. | ||
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 | TFT 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery endurance strongly favours the Canon, rated for 900 shots against 400 for the SL. Neither battery charges over USB, so both need dedicated chargers. Both bodies carry dual card slots, so two cards can stay fitted at once. The SL's SD slots support UHS-II for faster card throughput, while the Canon pairs UHS-I SD with Compact Flash, useful if you already own one format. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible), Compact Flash | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | LP-E6N | BP-SCL4 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
900 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 5D Mark IV if you shoot weddings, portraits or landscape work where 30.4 MP files, 61 selectable autofocus points and a 900-shot battery rating carry the day. Its higher-resolution rear screen also makes on-location focus checking easier.
Choose the Leica SL Typ 601 for fast-moving subjects such as sports or wildlife, where its 11 fps burst rate captures more of a passing subject than the Canon's 7 fps. Its 4.4-million-dot electronic viewfinder gives a finely detailed live view. The shorter battery rating is the cost on long shoots.