Leica CL vs Leica TL2 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Leica CL
63
WINNER
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · APS-C · 4K video
Leica TL2
62
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica TL2 is the slimmer of these two 2017 mirrorless cameras, 134 x 69 x 33 mm against the Leica CL's 131 x 78 x 45 mm, so it fits tighter bags. Weight is nearly identical, at 399 g for the TL2 and 403 g for the CL. | ||
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. |
October 21, 2017 | July 10, 2019 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 131 x 78 x 45 mm | 134 x 69 x 33 mm |
| Camera weight | 403 g | 399 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 62/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Leica CL is the stronger choice for action and bright light. Its 10 fps burst captures more frames from a fleeting moment than the TL2's 7 fps. Its 1/8000 second maximum shutter speed allows a shorter exposure than the TL2's 1/4000 second when you want wide apertures in sunshine. The CL also offers a built-in electronic viewfinder, while the TL2 has none. Resolution, sensor format and mount are shared specifications: both pair a 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor with the Maestro II processor and use the Leica L mount. Both span a native ISO range of 100 to 50000, and neither offers in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6014 x 4014 | 6016 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. |
23.6 x 15.7 | 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. |
10 fps045 | 7 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. |
Leica L | Leica L |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Maestro II | 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. |
500003003280000 | 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. |
500003003280000 | 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. |
800080032000 | 400080032000 |
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. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 83/100 | 77/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe TL2 is the one for slow-motion playback, offering 120 fps in its 720p SLOMO mode, with its 4K at 30 fps and Full HD at 60 fps. The CL's video tops out at 60 fps, and both record 4K as their maximum resolution, so resolution alone does not separate them. For interval work the CL wins with a built-in timelapse function the TL2 lacks. It also supports MPEG-4, MOV and H.264 recording, while the TL2 offers MP4. | ||
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. |
3840 x 2160 | 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 | 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 | No |
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, H.264 | MP4 |
| Features | 70/100 | 72/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe TL2's larger, more detailed rear screen is a real advantage for composing at arm's length, with 3.7 inches and 1230000 dots against the CL's 3 inches and 1040000 dots. Both screens are touch-sensitive, which supports quick focus-point placement. Only the TL2 has GPS, which lets you geotag travel and hike photos in the camera. Both support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer and remote control, and both take an external flash while omitting a built-in one. Neither offers weather sealing or a flipping screen. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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" | 3.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 12300001150001500000 |
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. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 13/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe TL2's battery is rated for more shots per charge, 260 against the CL's 220, and it uses a BP-DC13 rather than the CL's BP-DC12. Neither charges over USB, so pack a charger or a spare. Card handling differs usefully. The CL's SD slot is UHS-II compatible, which supports faster offload after a heavy shoot, while the TL2 pairs its SD slot with internal memory as a fallback when a card fills. Both have a single card slot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Internal |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-DC12 | BP-DC13 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
220 shots1505000 | 260 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Leica CL for action, sport or running children, where its 10 fps burst captures more frames, and for bright-light work that needs 1/8000 second at wide apertures. Its built-in electronic viewfinder makes it the natural choice for eye-level work in strong sun.
Choose the TL2 if you compose on a screen and value its larger, more detailed display, or if you want 120 fps slow motion and built-in GPS for travel. Its slimmer body and higher 260-shot rating suit compact, screen-led shooting, and the shared L mount keeps your lens options open.