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Leica SL vs Sony NEX-5T

The Leica SL (Typ 601) and the Sony Alpha NEX-5T are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in October 2015 and August 2013. Both the Leica SL and the NEX-5T are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on a full frame (Leica SL) and an APS-C (NEX-5T) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 16 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Leica SL
versus
Sony NEX-5T
Leica SL   Sony NEX-5T
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Leica L mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
24 MP – Full Frame sensor 16 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/30p Video 1080/60p Video
ISO 50-50,000 ISO 100-25,600
Electronic viewfinder (4400k dots) Viewfinder optional
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed touchscreen Tilting touchscreen
11 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
400 shots per battery charge330 shots per battery charge
147 x 104 x 39 mm, 847 g 111 x 59 x 39 mm, 276 g
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Check Leica SL offers at
ebay.com
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Check NEX-5T offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL (Typ 601) and the Sony Alpha NEX-5T? 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.

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Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica SL and the Sony NEX-5T. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The NEX-5T can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the Leica SL is only available in black.

Size Leica SL vs Sony NEX-5T
Compare Leica SL versus NEX-5T top
Comparison Leica SL or NEX-5T rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony NEX-5T is considerably smaller (57 percent) than the Leica SL. Moreover, the NEX-5T is substantially lighter (67 percent) than the Leica SL. It is worth mentioning in this context that the Leica SL is splash and dust resistant, while the NEX-5T 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.

Concerning battery life, the Leica SL gets 400 shots out of its Leica BP-SCL4 battery, while the NEX-5T can take 330 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FW50 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 Y Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5T 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2013 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Hasselblad X1D 150 mm 98 mm 71 mm 725 g .. Y Jun 2016 8,995ebay.com
5.
 
Leica SL2-S 146 mm 107 mm 83 mm 931 g 510 Y Dec 2020 4,895 amazon.com
6.
 
Leica SL2 146 mm 107 mm 42 mm 953 g 370 Y Nov 2019 5,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A5100 110 mm 63 mm 36 mm 283 g 400 n Aug 2014 549ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A6000 120 mm 67 mm 45 mm 344 g 360 n Feb 2014 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5R 111 mm 59 mm 39 mm 276 g 330 n Aug 2012 749ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-F3 117 mm 67 mm 42 mm 314 g 470 n May 2012 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-3 117 mm 62 mm 33 mm 297 g 330 n May 2010 599ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The NEX-5T was launched at a markedly lower price (by 91 percent) than the Leica SL, which puts it into a different market segment. 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica SL features a full frame sensor and the Sony NEX-5T an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the NEX-5T is 58 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.

Leica SL and Sony NEX-5T sensor measures

With 24MP, the Leica SL offers a higher resolution than the NEX-5T (16MP), but the Leica SL nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.00μm versus 4.78μm for the NEX-5T) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Leica SL is a much more recent model (by 2 years and 1 month) than the NEX-5T, and its sensor will 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 Leica SL has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica SL implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Leica SL for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony NEX-5T are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.4 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.6 x 13.1 inches or 49.9 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.6 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica SL (Typ 601) has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha NEX-5T are ISO 100 to ISO 25600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Leica SL versus NEX-5T MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. 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. Of the two cameras under review, the Leica SL has a notably higher overall DXO score than the NEX-5T (overall score 10 points higher), which gives it an advantage in terms of imaging quality. This advantage is based on 1.4 bits higher color depth, 0.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.8 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
2.
 
Sony NEX-5T APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60p23.613.0101578
3.
 
Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.2113579
4.
 
Hasselblad X1D Medium Format 51.3 8272 62001080/25p26.214.84489102
5.
 
Leica SL2-S Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.214.1350495
6.
 
Leica SL2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/60p25.314.3286695
7.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
8.
 
Leica M Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p24.013.3186084
9.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
10.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
11.
 
Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.6133387
12.
 
Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.5295693
13.
 
Sony A5100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.812.7134780
14.
 
Sony A6000 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.113.1134782
15.
 
Sony NEX-5R APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i23.713.191078
16.
 
Sony NEX-F3 APS-C 16.0 4912 32641080/60i22.712.3111473
17.
 
Sony NEX-3 APS-C 14.0 4592 3056720/30p22.112.083068
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the Leica SL provides a higher video resolution than the NEX-5T. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the Sony is limited to 1080/60p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the Leica SL has an electronic viewfinder (4400k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the NEX-5T relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the NEX-5T can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the FDA-EV1S. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica SL, the Sony NEX-5T, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica SL4400 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
2.
 
Sony NEX-5Toptional n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
4.
 
Hasselblad X1D2360 n3.0 / 920 fixed Y 1/2000s 2.3/s n n
5.
 
Leica SL2-S5760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
6.
 
Leica SL25760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
7.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
8.
 
Leica M Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
9.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
10.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
13.
 
Sony A5100none n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
14.
 
Sony A60001440 n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y n
15.
 
Sony NEX-5Roptional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n n
16.
 
Sony NEX-F3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s Y n
17.
 
Sony NEX-3optional n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One feature that is present on the Leica SL, but is missing on the NEX-5T 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 NEX-5T has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the Leica SL does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the Leica SL is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica SL 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.

The Leica SL writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the NEX-5T uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The Leica SL features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the NEX-5T only has one slot. The Leica SL supports UHS-II cards on its first slot and UHS-I on its second one, while the NEX-5T cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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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 Leica SL (Typ 601) and Sony Alpha NEX-5T and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica SLYstereo / monoYYfull3.0Y--
2.
 
Sony NEX-5TYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
4.
 
Hasselblad X1DYstereo / monoYYmini3.0Y--
5.
 
Leica SL2-SYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
6.
 
Leica SL2Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
7.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
8.
 
Leica M Typ 240Ystereo / mono---2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
10.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
11.
 
Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
12.
 
Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
13.
 
Sony A5100-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
14.
 
Sony A6000Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony NEX-5RYstereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
16.
 
Sony NEX-F3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
17.
 
Sony NEX-3Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
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It is notable that the Leica SL has a microphone port, which is missing on the NEX-5T. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica SL (unlike the NEX-5T) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

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

Both the Leica SL and the NEX-5T have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The NEX-5T was replaced by the Sony A5100, while the Leica SL was followed by the Leica SL2. Further information on the features and operation of the Leica SL and NEX-5T can be found, respectively, in the Leica SL Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony NEX-5T Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Leica SL better than the Sony NEX-5T or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Reasons to prefer the Leica SL (Typ 601):

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 16MP) with a 22% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (10 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.4 bits more color depth).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.8 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/60p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 922k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Can take more shots (400 versus 330) 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.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II and UHS-I) SDXC cards.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More modern: Reflects 2 years and 1 month of technical progress since the NEX-5T launch.

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Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha NEX-5T:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • More compact: Is smaller (111x59mm vs 147x104mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 571g or 67 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (91 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2013).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the Leica SL is the clear winner of the match-up (24 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.

Leica SL 24:08 NEX-5T

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica SL and the Sony NEX-5T place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing 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 remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Leica SL or the NEX-5T. 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 following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
2.
 
Sony NEX-5T........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2013 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Hasselblad X1D..o..81/100..4/5 Jun 2016 8,995ebay.com
5.
 
Leica SL2-S4/5..4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Dec 2020 4,895 amazon.com
6.
 
Leica SL24/5..4.5/5..4.5/54/5 Nov 2019 5,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 6,595ebay.com
8.
 
Leica M Typ 2404/5......4/5.. Sep 2012 6,950ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 6,499ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A51004.5/5+....4.5/55/5 Aug 2014 549ebay.com
14.
 
Sony A60005/5+4.5/580/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2014 599ebay.com
15.
 
Sony NEX-5R........4.5/54.5/5 Aug 2012 749ebay.com
16.
 
Sony NEX-F34/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 May 2012 599ebay.com
17.
 
Sony NEX-3......70/1004.5/54/5 May 2010 599ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Check Leica SL offers at
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Check NEX-5T offers at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Leica SL vs Sony NEX-5T

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica SL Sony NEX-5T
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Leica L mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date October 2015 August 2013
    Launch Price USD 7,450 USD 699
    Sensor Specs Leica SL Sony NEX-5T
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm 23.4 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 864 mm2 365.04 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm 28.1 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 4912 x 3264 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.00 μm 4.78 μm
    Pixel Density 2.78 MP/cm2 4.39 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 1080/60p Video
    ISO Setting 50 - 50,000 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro II BIONZ
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 88 78
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 25.0 23.6
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.4 13.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1821 1015
    Screen Specs Leica SL Sony NEX-5T
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Viewfinder optional
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.80x
    Viewfinder Resolution 4400k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Leica SL Sony NEX-5T
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus PeakingFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/8000s 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards MS or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Single card slot
    UHS card support Single UHS-II no
    Connectivity Specs Leica SL Sony NEX-5T
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port full HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Leica SL Sony NEX-5T
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Leica BP-SCL4 Sony NP-FW50
    Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge330 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 104 x 39 mm
    (5.8 x 4.1 x 1.5 in)
    111 x 59 x 39 mm
    (4.4 x 2.3 x 1.5 in)
    Camera Weight 847 g (29.9 oz) 276 g (9.7 oz)
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    Check Leica SL offers at
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    Check NEX-5T offers at
    ebay.com

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