Leica SL3 vs Nikon Z8 — Which Is Better?
Units
Side by side89 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 60.3 MP · Full Frame · 8K video
Leica SL3
—
UNSCORED
|
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.7 MP · Full Frame · 8K video
Nikon Z8
84
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | |
| General | ||
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
Mar 2024 | May 10, 2023 |
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2024 | 2023 |
| Camera weight | 855 g | 910 g |
| Camera type | ||
| Camera size | — | 144 x 119 x 83 mm |
| Body design | — | Compact professional mirrorless body; vertical grip is an optional MB-N12 accessory, not integrated |
| Sensor | ||
| Type | 60.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | — |
| Resolution | 60 Megapixels | — |
| Dynamic Range | 15 stops | — |
| ISO Range | 50-100000 | — |
| Triple Resolution | 60MP, 36MP, or 18MP output | — |
| Image processor | ||
| Processor | Maestro IV | — |
| Buffer | 8GB | — |
| Autofocus | ||
| Type | Hybrid AF (Phase Detection, Contrast Detection, Object Detection) | — |
| AF Points | 315 AF areas | — |
| Subject Detection | Face, eye, and subject detection modes | — |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Type | EyeRes OLED Electronic Viewfinder | — |
| Resolution | 5.76 million pixels | — |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120 fps | — |
| Magnification | 0.78x | — |
| Display | ||
| Type | 3.2-inch tiltable touchscreen LCD | — |
| Resolution | 2.3 million dots | — |
| Tilt Range | 90 degrees upward | — |
| Video | Unscored | 100/100 |
| Recording Formats | 8K, C8K, 4K, Full HD | — |
| Video Codecs | H.264, H.265, ProRes | — |
| Log Support | Yes | — |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
— | |
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. |
— | 7680 x 4320 |
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 |
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. |
— | |
| Verified modes | — | 8K recording and 4K at up to 120p |
| Image stabilization | ||
| Type | 5-axis in-body sensor-shift | — |
| Compensation | Up to 5 stops | — |
| ISO range | ||
| Native | ISO 50-100,000 | — |
| Expanded | ISO 50-200,000 with extended settings | — |
| Memory | ||
| Slots | CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II dual card slots | — |
| Weather sealing | ||
| Rating | IP54 (dust and splash resistant) | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C (10 Gbps) | — |
| Video Output | Full-size HDMI 2.1 | — |
| Tethering | Supported via USB-C | — |
| Build | ||
| Material | Magnesium and aluminum with faux-leather covering | — |
| Weather Sealing | IP54-rated dust and splash resistant | — |
| Dimensions | 141.2 x 108.1 x 84.6 mm | — |
| Release date | ||
| Date | March 7, 2024 | — |
| Processor | ||
| Image Engine | Leica Maestro IV | — |
| Buffer Memory | 8GB | — |
| Shooting | ||
| Continuous Shooting | 15 fps (without AF), 5 fps (with AF) | — |
| Shutter Type | Electronic | — |
| Storage | ||
| Card Slots | CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II | — |
| Recording | Internal and external via USB-C and HDMI | — |
| Power | ||
| Battery | Leica BP-SCL6 Lithium-Ion | — |
| Charging | USB-C | — |
| Optics | Unscored | 85/100 |
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
60.3 MP050 | 45.7 MP050 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
||
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 |
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 resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
— | 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 |
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. |
— | 35.9 x 23.9 |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
— | 30 fps045 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
— | Expeed 7 |
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. |
— | |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
— | 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. |
— | 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. |
— | 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. |
— | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
— | 90044080 |
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. |
— | 3200080032000 |
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. |
— | 4930300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
— | |
| Viewfinder dots | — | 368640009900000 |
| Features | Unscored | 87/100 |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
||
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
— | No |
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. |
— | |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
— | No |
| Screen type | — | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
— | |
| Screen size | — | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
— | 20889601150001500000 |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
— | |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
— | |
| Tilting screen | — | Four-axis horizontal and vertical tilting touchscreen |
| Storage & battery | Unscored | 68/100 |
| Memory card | — | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots | — | |
| Battery type | — | EN-EL15c |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
— | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | — | |

