Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z7 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 47 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Leica SL2
83
SCORE
|
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.75 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z7 II
85
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica SL2 and the Nikon Z7 II are both full-frame mirrorless cameras, and the first real buying decision is which lens system you want to build on. The SL2 uses the Leica L mount, while the Z7 II uses the Nikon Z mount, so native lens choices follow the brand you pick. The SL2 arrived in 2019, the Z7 II a year later in 2020. The Z7 II is the smaller and lighter body for carrying on long days out. It measures 134 x 101 x 70 mm and weighs 705 g, against 146 x 107 x 83 mm and 916 g for the SL2, a 211 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 | October 14, 2020 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 146 x 107 x 83 mm | 134 x 101 x 70 mm |
| Camera weight | 916 g | 705 g |
| Optics | 84/100 | 86/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe SL2 is the stronger choice for fast action, with a 20 fps maximum against 10 fps on the Z7 II. That doubled shooting speed gives you more frames to choose from when a bird takes off or a runner breaks through. The Z7 II counters with a much wider autofocus array, 439 points against 225, which helps you place focus precisely across a busy frame. Resolution is close enough that cropping room barely differs between them: 47 MP on the SL2 against 45.75 MP on the Z7 II. The SL2's electronic viewfinder shows more detail, with 5.76 million dots against 3.69 million on the Z7 II. Both cameras stabilise the sensor in body for steadier handheld shooting. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
47 MP050 | 45.75 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 | 8256 x 5504 |
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 | 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. |
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 | Dual 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 | 6430200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 3230200 |
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 | 1024003003280000 |
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 | 4390300 |
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 | 91/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor slowing fast action, from a sprint finish to a water splash, the two cameras offer the same headline limits: each records up to 4K, and each reaches 120 fps as its maximum frame rate. That means no slow-motion advantage for either body when you choose between them. Both include built-in timelapse, so interval shooting needs no external trigger. | ||
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 | 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 | 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 ComparisonFeaturesThe Z7 II has a real shooting advantage in its tilting rear screen, which the SL2 lacks. That makes low-angle flower shots and raised overhead framing practical on the Z7 II, while the SL2's fixed screen limits you to waist-level guesswork or live view on a phone. Shooting in changeable weather and transferring images without cables works on either body: both offer weather sealing plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and both use the same 3.2-inch, 2.1-million-dot touch screen. Neither includes GPS, so geotagging landscape trips needs a phone or a separate receiver. | ||
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | 71/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Z7 II is better set up for long days away from a charger. Its battery is rated for 420 shots against 370 on the SL2, and it supports USB charging, which the SL2 does not. On cards, the Z7 II takes SD plus CFexpress Type B or XQD, while the SL2's two slots take SD only. Both cameras carry two card slots, so either body can hold a second card during a shoot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible) | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BP-SCL4 | EN-EL15c |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
370 shots1505000 | 420 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For travel, hiking and all-day handheld shooting, the Nikon Z7 II is the better pick. It is 211 g lighter, charges over USB between locations, and its tilting screen makes ground-level wildlife and overhead crowd shots far easier. The CFexpress slot also suits heavy continuous shooting sessions.
Choose the Leica SL2 if action is the priority: 20 fps shooting gives you twice the frames when a runner breaks clear or a bird lifts off, and its 5.76-million-dot viewfinder shows more detail while tracking. Weigh that against committing to the Leica L system, since lens choice follows the mount.