Canon EOS M6 vs Leica CL — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · Mirrorless · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS M6
63
SCORE
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Leica CL
65
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS M6 and the Leica CL are 2017 mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensors. The M6 takes Canon EF-M lenses, while the CL takes Leica L-mount lenses, so the lenses you want should guide the body. Body measurements favour different priorities. The CL is lighter at 403 g against 540 g, while the M6 is the smaller body at 112 x 68 x 45 mm versus 131 x 78 x 45 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2017 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 15, 2017 | October 21, 2017 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 112 x 68 x 45 mm | 131 x 78 x 45 mm |
| Camera weight | 540 g | 403 g |
| Optics | 65/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Leica CL is the stronger choice for eye-level shooting, with a built-in electronic viewfinder of 2,360,000 dots, while the EOS M6 has none and relies on its rear screen. Framing in bright sunlight and steady eye-level work are therefore more direct on the CL. The CL also supports 1/8000 second against 1/4000 on the M6, a shorter exposure that keeps wide apertures usable in bright daylight. Its ISO range reaches 50000 against 25600, keeping higher settings available in very dark scenes. Resolution is a near-match at 24.2 MP against 24 MP. Both count 49 autofocus points, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 6014 x 4014 |
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. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 23.6 x 15.7 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
9 fps045 | 10 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-M | 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 7 | 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 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 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. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
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. |
256003003280000 | 500003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
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. |
400080032000 | 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. |
490300 | 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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideo4K recording makes the Leica CL the clear pick for anyone serious about video, while the M6 tops out at Full HD. That extra resolution leaves room to crop and reframe in editing. Both top out at 60 fps, a limit that applies separately from resolution. Both offer built-in timelapse for casual clips, though file formats differ, with the M6 recording MP4 while the CL offers MPEG-4 and MOV. | ||
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. |
 Full HD |  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. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 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 | 60 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. |
MP4 | MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe EOS M6 is the better pick for solo shooting, thanks to its flip screen for waist-level or overhead stills and a built-in flash for instant light indoors. The CL has a fixed screen and no built-in flash, though both accept external flash units. Each camera offers a 3-inch touchscreen with 1,040,000 dots and live view, so the rear panels are closely matched. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both support phone transfer and remote control. Neither has GPS or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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" | 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. |
 Yes | No |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 13/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryRated battery life favours the EOS M6, at 295 shots against 220 for the CL, with an LP-E17 battery in place of the CL's BP-DC12. Both carry a single SD card slot, and neither charges over USB, so a spare battery is worth packing for either. The CL's slot supports UHS-II SD cards for faster offloading of large files, a rating the M6's slot does not carry. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | BP-DC12 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
295 shots1505000 | 220 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Leica CL if you shoot through a viewfinder, record video, or use wide apertures in bright light. Its electronic viewfinder, 4K recording and 1/8000 second shutter cover those uses. Choose the Canon EOS M6 if you shoot at low angles or want flash on the body. Its flip screen and built-in flash deliver both, and its battery is rated for more shots.
The lens system should carry the most weight in your decision, because EF-M and L-mount are not interchangeable. Commit to the mount whose lenses cover your work, then let the viewfinder, screen and video needs settle any remaining doubt.