Leica SL2 vs Leica SL2-S — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 47 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Leica SL2
83
SCORE
|
Leica · Mirrorless · 24.6 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Leica SL2-S
85
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica SL2 and Leica SL2-S are mirrorless system cameras announced in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Their bodies are the same size, measuring 146 x 107 x 83 mm, so neither packs down smaller. The SL2 weighs 916 g against 931 g for the SL2-S, a 15 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2020 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 6, 2019 | December 10, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 146 x 107 x 83 mm | 146 x 107 x 83 mm |
| Camera weight | 916 g | 931 g |
| Optics | 84/100 | 85/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SL2 is the stronger choice for landscape prints, studio work and heavy crops of distant subjects. Its 47 megapixel sensor carries 22.4 more megapixels than the 24.6 megapixel sensor in the SL2-S, leaving far more room to crop a distant animal and still print large. Both share the Leica L mount and CMOS full frame sensors, so the same lenses fit either body, and both offer in-body stabilisation. The SL2-S offers more exposure control at both ends. Its native ISO range spans 50 to 100000 ISO, against 100 to 50000 on the SL2. It starts lower for long daylight exposures and doubles the ceiling available in very dark scenes. Its 1/16000 second top shutter is twice as fast as the SL2's 1/8000 second, helping hold wide apertures in bright light. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
47 MP050 | 24.6 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8368 x 5584 | 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. |
36 x 24 | 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. |
20 fps045 | 20 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 III |
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 | 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. |
500003003280000 | 1000003003280000 |
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. |
500003003280000 | 1000003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
180044080 | 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 | 1600080032000 |
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. |
2250300 | 2250300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
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 | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 576000009900000 | 576000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe SL2 is the stronger choice for slow motion. Its maximum video frame rate of 120 fps, against 60 fps on the SL2-S, gives editors more room to slow fast action in post. Resolution is a shared limit, as both record up to 4K and offer built-in timelapse. The SL2 also records in MPEG-4, MOV and H.264, against MPEG-4 on the SL2-S, widening editing choices. | ||
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 | 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. |
MPEG-4, MOV, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWireless workflow is a shared strength, as both cameras offer WiFi and Bluetooth for image transfer and remote control from a phone. Both carry weather-sealed bodies, 3.2-inch touchscreens with 2.1 million dots, and support for external flash units, while neither has a built-in flash. Neither offers a flip screen or GPS, so travel shooters who want geotagged files need another way to record location data. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | 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" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 21000001150001500000 |
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 | 55/100 | 73/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe SL2-S is the endurance pick. Its BP-SCL4 battery is rated for 510 shots against 370 for the SL2, a 140-shot lead, and it supports USB charging for topping up between locations. The SL2 has no USB charging. Both use the same BP-SCL4 pack, and dual card slots on both add spare storage on a long shoot. Card speed favours the SL2 for high-resolution work. Its slots accept UHS-II compatible SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, which helps when 47 megapixel files stack up quickly. The SL2-S supports SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BP-SCL4 | BP-SCL4 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 510 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
| 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 Leica SL2 when resolution drives the work. Landscape prints, studio product photography and cropping distant wildlife all benefit from its 47 megapixels. Its UHS-II card support keeps large files moving during fast sequences, and its 120 fps maximum video frame rate adds slow-motion headroom for filmmakers.
Choose the Leica SL2-S for longer, more varied shooting days. Its 510-shot rated battery, USB charging, 1/16000 second shutter and 100000 ISO ceiling suit travel, street and mixed-light work where a quick top-up matters more than crop room. Both share the L mount, stabilisation and wireless features, so the decision rests on resolution against endurance and convenience.