Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z5 — Which Is Better?

The Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Z5 are both full-frame mirrorless cameras released in 2020, and the first choice between them is the lens system. The SL2-S uses the Leica L mount, while the Z5 uses the Nikon Z mount, so your native lens options follow that decision. Neither body accepts the other brand's lenses directly.

The Z5 is the smaller and lighter body for travel and everyday carrying. It measures 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm and weighs 675 g, against 146 x 107 x 83 mm and 931 g for the SL2-S, a 256 g difference in the Z5's favour.

The SL2-S is the stronger choice for fast action. It shoots at up to 20 frames per second, against 4.5 on the Z5, and its shutter reaches 1/16000 second versus 1/8000, giving a shorter exposure for wide apertures in bright light. Its native ISO range also climbs to 100000, compared with 51200 on the Z5, for more exposure headroom as light falls.

For framing, the SL2-S offers the higher-resolution electronic viewfinder with 5760000 dots against 3686400, while the Z5 carries 273 autofocus points against 225. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors at effectively matching resolution, 24.6 versus 24 megapixels, and both include in-body stabilisation for sharper handheld work.

A 4K video project works on either camera: both support 4K recording, both offer frame rates up to 60 fps, and both have timelapse built in, so interval work needs no accessories. The practical difference is file format. The Z5 records in MPEG-4 and MOV, while the SL2-S records in MPEG-4, so the Z5 gives your editing workflow a MOV option as well.

The Z5 is the friendlier camera for awkward angles, because its 3.2-inch screen flips out for waist-level or overhead shooting, while the SL2-S screen is fixed. The SL2-S answers with a much sharper display, 2100000 dots against 1040000, for reviewing focus and detail on the back of the camera.

The SL2-S has weather sealing and the Z5 does not, a distinction that matters for landscape work in rain or dust. Beyond that, both offer touch screens, WiFi and Bluetooth, both accept an external flash, and neither has a built-in flash or GPS.

Both cameras carry dual SD card slots, so you can keep shooting when one card fills. The Z5's slots are UHS-II compatible, supporting faster card throughput than the SL2-S's SD / SDHC / SDXC slots.

The SL2-S is rated at 510 shots on its BP-SCL4 battery, against 470 on the Z5's EN-EL15c, and it supports USB charging while the Z5 does not. That lets you top it up from a laptop or power bank between shoots.