Canon 6D Mark II vs Leica TL

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II and the Leica TL are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in June 2017 and November 2016. The 6D Mark II is a DSLR, while the TL is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a full frame (6D Mark II) and an APS-C (TL) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 26 megapixels, whereas the Leica provides 16.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Canon 6D Mark II		Leica TL
Digital single lens reflex		Mirrorless system camera
Canon EF mount lenses		Leica T mount lenses
26 MP, Full Frame Sensor		16.1 MP, APS-C Sensor
1080/60p Video		1080/30p Video
ISO 100-40,000 (50 - 102,400)		ISO 100-12,500
Optical viewfinder		Viewfinder optional
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots		3.7 LCD, 1230k dots
Swivel touchscreen		Fixed touchscreen
6.5 shutter flaps per second		5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		not weather sealed
1200 shots per battery charge		400 shots per battery charge
144 x 111 x 75 mm, 765 g		134 x 69 x 33 mm, 384 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS 6D Mark II and the Leica TL? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Canon 6D Mark II and the Leica TL are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The TL can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, titanium), while the 6D Mark II is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Leica TL is considerably smaller (42 percent) than the Canon 6D Mark II. Moreover, the TL is substantially lighter (50 percent) than the 6D Mark II. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 6D Mark II is splash and dust resistant, while the TL does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

The power pack in the TL can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 6D Mark II	144 mm	111 mm	75 mm	765 g	1200	Y	Jun 2017	1,999
2.		Leica TL	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695
3.		Canon R	139 mm	98 mm	84 mm	660 g	370	Y	Sep 2018	2,299
4.		Canon 5D Mark IV	151 mm	116 mm	76 mm	890 g	900	Y	Aug 2016	3,499
5.		Canon 80D	139 mm	105 mm	79 mm	730 g	960	Y	Feb 2016	1,199
6.		Canon 5D Mark III	152 mm	116 mm	76 mm	950 g	950	Y	Mar 2012	3,499
7.		Canon 6D	145 mm	111 mm	71 mm	770 g	1090	Y	Sep 2012	2,099
8.		Canon 5D Mark II	152 mm	114 mm	75 mm	850 g	850	Y	Sep 2008	3,499
9.		Fujifilm X-A10	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	331 g	410	n	Dec 2016	399
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	117 mm	67 mm	40 mm	350 g	410	n	Jan 2015	399
11.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	140 mm	82 mm	43 mm	450 g	300	n	Jan 2012	1,699
12.		Leica TL2	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	399 g	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950
13.		Leica T	134 mm	69 mm	33 mm	384 g	400	n	Apr 2014	1,850
14.		Nikon D750	141 mm	113 mm	78 mm	750 g	1230	Y	Sep 2014	2,299
15.		Nikon D610	141 mm	113 mm	82 mm	850 g	900	Y	Oct 2013	1,999
16.		Nikon D600	141 mm	113 mm	82 mm	850 g	900	Y	Sep 2012	2,099
17.		Sony A7 III	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	610	Y	Feb 2018	1,999
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The TL was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 15 percent) than the 6D Mark II, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 6D Mark II features a full frame sensor and the Leica TL an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the TL is 57 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

In terms of underlying technology, both cameras are build around CMOS sensors.

With 26MP, the 6D Mark II offers a higher resolution than the TL (16.1MP), but the 6D Mark II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.76μm versus 4.80μm for the TL) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the 6D Mark II is a somewhat more recent model (by 7 months) than the TL, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the TL has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Canon 6D Mark II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the 6D Mark II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 31.2 x 20.8 inches or 79.2 x 52.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 25 x 16.6 inches or 63.4 x 42.3 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.8 x 13.9 inches or 52.8 x 35.2 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica TL are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The 6D Mark II has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Canon EOS 6D Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 40000, which can be extended to ISO 50-102400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica TL are ISO 100 to ISO 12500 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Canon 6D Mark II	Full Frame	26.0	6240	4160	1080/60p	24.4	11.9	2862	85
2.		Leica TL	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon R	Full Frame	30.1	6720	4480	4K/30p	24.5	13.5	2742	89
4.		Canon 5D Mark IV	Full Frame	30.1	6720	4480	4K/30p	24.8	13.6	2995	91
5.		Canon 80D	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	23.6	13.2	1135	79
6.		Canon 5D Mark III	Full Frame	22.1	5760	3840	1080/30p	24.0	11.7	2293	81
7.		Canon 6D	Full Frame	20.0	5472	3648	1080/30p	23.8	12.1	2340	82
8.		Canon 5D Mark II	Full Frame	21.0	5616	3744	1080/30p	23.7	11.9	1815	79
9.		Fujifilm X-A10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
11.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/24p	..	..	..	..
12.		Leica TL2	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
13.		Leica T	APS-C	16.2	4944	3278	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	1082	75
14.		Nikon D750	Full Frame	24.2	6016	4016	1080/60p	24.8	14.5	2956	93
15.		Nikon D610	Full Frame	24.2	6016	4016	1080/30p	25.1	14.4	2925	94
16.		Nikon D600	Full Frame	24.2	6016	4016	1080/30p	25.1	14.2	2980	94
17.		Sony A7 III	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.7	3730	96

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the 6D Mark II provides a higher frame rate than the TL. It can shoot video footage at 1080/60p, while the Leica is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the 6D Mark II has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the TL relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the TL can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the Visoflex (Typ 020). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon 6D Mark II and Leica TL along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Canon 6D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/4000s	6.5	n	n
2.		Leica TL	optional	n	3.7 / 1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
3.		Canon R	3690	Y	3.2 / 2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
4.		Canon 5D Mark IV	optical	Y	3.2 / 1620	fixed	Y	1/8000s	7.0	n	n
5.		Canon 80D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	swivel	Y	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
6.		Canon 5D Mark III	optical	Y	3.2 / 1040	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	n	n
7.		Canon 6D	optical	Y	3.0 / 1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	4.5	n	n
8.		Canon 5D Mark II	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.9	n	n
9.		Fujifilm X-A10	none	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	none	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
11.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	1440	n	3.0 / 1230	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	n	n
12.		Leica TL2	optional	n	3.7 / 1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	7.0	n	n
13.		Leica T	optional	n	3.7 / 1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
14.		Nikon D750	optical	Y	3.2 / 1229	tilting	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
15.		Nikon D610	optical	Y	3.2 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
16.		Nikon D600	optical	Y	3.0 / 921	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.5	Y	n
17.		Sony A7 III	2359	n	3.0 / 922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y

One feature that is present on the 6D Mark II, but is missing on the TL is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The Canon 6D Mark II has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the 6D Mark II and the TL write their files to SDXC cards. The 6D Mark II supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the TL cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II and Leica TL and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Canon 6D Mark II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	Y	Y
2.		Leica TL	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
3.		Canon R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.1	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon 5D Mark IV	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	Y	-
5.		Canon 80D	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	Y	-
6.		Canon 5D Mark III	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Canon 6D	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Canon 5D Mark II	Y	mono / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Fujifilm X-A10	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
11.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Leica TL2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
13.		Leica T	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Nikon D750	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
15.		Nikon D610	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Nikon D600	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Sony A7 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y

It is notable that the 6D Mark II has a microphone port, which is missing on the TL. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the 6D Mark II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

The 6D Mark II is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Canon. In contrast, the TL has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on eBay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the TL was succeeded by the Leica TL2. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Leica websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 6D Mark II better than the Leica TL or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Advantages of the Canon EOS 6D Mark II:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (26 vs 16.1MP) with a 27% higher linear resolution.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (6.5 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1200 versus 400) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 7 months after the TL).

Arguments in favor of the Leica TL:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.7" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1230k vs 1040k dots).
• More compact: Is smaller (134x69mm vs 144x111mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 381g or 50 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can use many non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (15 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in November 2016).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the 6D Mark II is the clear winner of the match-up (22 : 11 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 6D Mark II and the Leica TL place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the 6D Mark II and the TL in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Canon 6D Mark II	4/5	+	4/5	80/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2017	1,999
2.		Leica TL	..	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695
3.		Canon R	4/5	o	4/5	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	Sep 2018	2,299
4.		Canon 5D Mark IV	4.5/5	+ +	4/5	87/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2016	3,499
5.		Canon 80D	4/5	+ +	4.5/5	84/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	1,199
6.		Canon 5D Mark III	..	+ +	..	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2012	3,499
7.		Canon 6D	5/5	+ +	..	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	2,099
8.		Canon 5D Mark II	4/5	91/100	..	79/100	4/5	..	Sep 2008	3,499
9.		Fujifilm X-A10	..	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Dec 2016	399
10.		Fujifilm X-A2	4/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399
11.		Fujifilm X-Pro1	5/5	+ +	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	1,699
12.		Leica TL2	3.5/5	..	3/5	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950
13.		Leica T	3/5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2014	1,850
14.		Nikon D750	5/5	+ +	4/5	90/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	2,299
15.		Nikon D610	4/5	+ +	..	87/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2013	1,999
16.		Nikon D600	4/5	+ +	..	87/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	2,099
17.		Sony A7 III	..	+ +	4.5/5	89/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2018	1,999
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Canon 6D Mark II vs Leica TL

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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