Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 47 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Leica SL2
83
WINNER
|
Nikon · Mirrorless · 24.5 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z6
81
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica SL2 and the Nikon Z6 are both full-frame mirrorless cameras, but they suit different kits. The SL2, announced in late 2019, pairs the Leica L mount with a larger body: 916 g and 146 x 107 x 83 mm. The 2018 Z6 is the lighter carry at 675 g, some 241 g less, in a 134 x 101 x 68 mm frame. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2019 | 2018 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 6, 2019 | August 23, 2018 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 146 x 107 x 83 mm | 134 x 101 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 916 g | 675 g |
| Optics | 84/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SL2 is the stronger camera for heavy cropping and large prints: its 47 MP sensor has 22.5 MP more than the Z6's 24.5 MP, so a distant bird cropped hard keeps more usable detail. The SL2 also bursts at 20 fps against 12 fps, and its electronic viewfinder resolves 5.76 million dots against 3.69 million for a clearer framing view. The Z6 answers with 273 autofocus points against 225, and an expanded ISO ceiling of 204800 against 50000 on the SL2. Shared specifics then apply to named specifications: both sensors are full-frame CMOS, with a 100 ISO base, a 1/8000 second top shutter speed and in-body stabilisation, which helps handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
47 MP050 | 24.5 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 | 6048 x 4024 |
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 | 23.9 x 35.9 |
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 | 12 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 | Nikon Z |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Maestro II | Expeed 6 |
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 | 512003003280000 |
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 | 2048003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
180044080 | 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 | 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. |
2250300 | 2730300 |
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 | 369000009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 83/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoSlow motion is where the SL2 pulls ahead: its 120 fps maximum frame rate doubles the Z6's 60 fps, so a fast dive or a bird's wingbeat stretches further in playback. Both cameras cap at 4K resolution, and both have built-in timelapse, so interval projects need no external trigger on either body. | ||
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 | 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. |
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 | MOV, MP4 |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather protection and wireless convenience are shared: both cameras have weather sealing, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making either a fit for outdoor shoots and quick transfers to a phone. Both offer the same 3.2-inch touchscreen with 2.1 million dots for focusing and menus. Neither camera has GPS or a built-in flash, so geotagging needs a paired device and lighting comes from an external flash, which both support. | ||
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 | 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" | 3.2" |
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 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryFor long shoots the SL2 has the storage edge: its dual UHS-II SD slots hold two cards at once, while the Z6 has a single XQD slot. Its BP-SCL4 battery is rated at 370 shots against 310 for the Z6's EN-EL15b, under each test's conditions. The Z6 adds USB charging, so a power bank can top it up between locations, while the SL2 offers no USB charging. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | No |
| Battery type | BP-SCL4 | EN-EL15b |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 310 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the SL2 when big prints, heavy crops and slow motion drive the work. Its 47 MP sensor, 20 fps burst and 120 fps slow-motion maximum suit landscape, studio and fast-action shooting, and dual card slots keep a second card loaded. Choose the Z6 as the lighter travel and everyday camera, with USB charging from a power bank on the road. Lens choice then follows the mount: Leica L for the SL2, Nikon Z for the Z6.