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Leica SL2-S vs Nikon D500

The Leica SL2-S and the Nikon D500 are two enthusiast cameras that were announced, respectively, in December 2020 and January 2016. The Leica SL2-S is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D500 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a full frame (Leica SL2-S) and an APS-C (D500) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 20.7 MP.

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

Headline Specifications
Leica SL2-S
versus
Nikon D500
Leica SL2-S   Nikon D500
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Leica L mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
24 MP – Full Frame sensor 20.7 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/60p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-50,000 (50 - 100,000) ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 1,640,000)
Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.2" LCD – 2100k dots 3.2" LCD – 2359k dots
Fixed touchscreen Tilting touchscreen
20 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
510 shots per battery charge1240 shots per battery charge
146 x 107 x 83 mm, 931 g 147 x 115 x 81 mm, 860 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon D500? 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

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon D500 is provided 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 measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica SL2-S vs Nikon D500
Compare Leica SL2-S versus D500 top
Comparison Leica SL2-S or D500 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D500 is notably larger (8 percent) than the Leica SL2-S. However, the D500 is markedly lighter (8 percent) than the Leica SL2-S. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

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 SL2-S gets 510 shots out of its Leica BP-SCL4 battery, while the D500 can take 1240 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL15 power pack. The power pack in the Leica SL2-S can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica SL2-S 146 mm 107 mm 83 mm 931 g 510 Y Dec 2020 EUR 4 499 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 EUR 2 399ebay.com
3.
 
Canon R3 150 mm 143 mm 87 mm 1015 g 760 Y Sep 2021 EUR 5 999 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 Y Oct 2015 EUR 6 899ebay.com
5.
 
Leica SL2 146 mm 107 mm 42 mm 953 g 370 Y Nov 2019 EUR 5 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 EUR 1 399ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D610 141 mm 113 mm 82 mm 850 g 900 Y Oct 2013 EUR 1 949ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D7100 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 950 Y Feb 2013 EUR 1 179ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 EUR 1 179ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D7500 136 mm 104 mm 73 mm 720 g 950 Y Apr 2017 EUR 1 499 amazon.com
11.
 
Nikon Z6 II 134 mm 101 mm 70 mm 705 g 410 Y Oct 2020 EUR 2 199 amazon.com
12.
 
Olympus E-M1X 144 mm 147 mm 75 mm 997 g 870 Y Jan 2019 EUR 2 999ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic S1 149 mm 110 mm 97 mm 1017 g 400 Y Feb 2019 EUR 2 499 amazon.com
14.
 
Panasonic S1H 151 mm 114 mm 110 mm 1052 g 400 Y May 2019 EUR 3 999 amazon.com
15.
 
Panasonic S1R 149 mm 110 mm 97 mm 1016 g 380 Y Feb 2019 EUR 3 699 amazon.com
16.
 
Panasonic S5 133 mm 98 mm 82 mm 714 g 440 Y Sep 2020 EUR 1 999 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony A9 II 129 mm 96 mm 76 mm 678 g 690 Y Oct 2019 EUR 5 399 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 59 percent) than the Leica SL2-S, 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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. 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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 Leica SL2-S features a full frame sensor and the Nikon D500 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D500 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.

Leica SL2-S and Nikon D500 sensor measures

With 24MP, the Leica SL2-S offers a higher resolution than the D500 (20.7MP), but the Leica SL2-S nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.00μm versus 4.22μm for the D500) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Leica SL2-S is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 11 months) than the D500, 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 neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica SL2-S implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Leica SL2-S 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 Nikon D500 are 27.8 x 18.6 inches or 70.7 x 47.1 cm for good quality, 22.3 x 14.8 inches or 56.6 x 37.7 cm for very good quality, and 18.6 x 12.4 inches or 47.1 x 31.4 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the D500, the Leica SL2-S has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (96MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Leica SL2-S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000, which can be extended to ISO 50-100000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D500 are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-1640000.

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 SL2-S versus D500 MP

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under review, the Leica SL2-S provides substantially higher image quality than the D500, with an overall score that is 12 points higher. This advantage is based on 1.2 bits higher color depth, 0.1 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.4 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica SL2-S Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.214.1350495
2.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
3.
 
Canon R3 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40006K/60p25.014.7408696
4.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
5.
 
Leica SL2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/60p25.314.3286695
6.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
7.
 
Nikon D610 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/30p25.114.4292594
8.
 
Nikon D7100 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.213.7125683
9.
 
Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.6133387
10.
 
Nikon D7500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.314.0148386
11.
 
Nikon Z6 II Full Frame 24.3 6048 40244K/60p25.014.4330394
12.
 
Olympus E-M1X Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.213.0125475
13.
 
Panasonic S1 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.214.5333395
14.
 
Panasonic S1H Full Frame 24.0 6000 40006K/30p25.214.2280594
15.
 
Panasonic S1R Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/60p26.414.13525100
16.
 
Panasonic S5 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.114.5269794
17.
 
Sony A9 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.0343493
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Leica SL2-S provides a higher frame rate than the D500. It can shoot video footage at 4K/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Leica SL2-S has an electronic viewfinder (5760k dots), while the D500 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the Leica SL2-S has a higher magnification than the one of the D500 (0.78x vs 0.67x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica SL2-S and Nikon D500 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty 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 SL2-S5760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
2.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon R35760 Y3.2 / 4150 swivel Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
4.
 
Leica SL4400 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
5.
 
Leica SL25760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
6.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
7.
 
Nikon D610optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D7100optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D7500optical Y3.2 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon Z6 II3690 Y3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n Y
12.
 
Olympus E-M1X2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 18.0/s n Y
13.
 
Panasonic S15760 Y3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
14.
 
Panasonic S1H5760 Y3.2 / 2330 swivel Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
15.
 
Panasonic S1R5760 Y3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/8000s 9.0/s n Y
16.
 
Panasonic S52360 n3.0 / 1840 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A9 II3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that differentiates the Leica SL2-S and the D500 is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The Leica SL2-S reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the D500 offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.

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 SL2-S 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 SL2-S and the Nikon D500 both have 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 SL2-S writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D500 uses SDXC or XQD cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

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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 SL2-S and Nikon D500 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica SL2-SYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
2.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
3.
 
Canon R3Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
4.
 
Leica SLYstereo / monoYYfull3.0Y--
5.
 
Leica SL2Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
6.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D610Ymono / monoYYmini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D7100Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
9.
 
Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
10.
 
Nikon D7500Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-Y
11.
 
Nikon Z6 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
12.
 
Olympus E-M1XYstereo / monoYYmicro3.0Y-Y
13.
 
Panasonic S1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
14.
 
Panasonic S1HYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
15.
 
Panasonic S1RYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
16.
 
Panasonic S5Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
17.
 
Sony A9 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D500 (unlike the Leica SL2-S) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The Leica SL2-S is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Leica. In contrast, the D500 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the D500 from Nikon. Further information on the features and operation of the Leica SL2-S and D500 can be found, respectively, in the Leica SL2-S Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D500 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon D500? Which camera is better? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Reasons to prefer the Leica SL2-S:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 20.7MP) with a 8% higher linear resolution.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (12 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (1.2 bits more color depth).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.4 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (4K/60p versus 4K/30p).
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.67x).
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (20 vs 10 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 11 months of technical progress since the D500 launch.

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Advantages of the Nikon D500:

  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2359k vs 2100k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (1240 versus 510) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (59 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2016).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Leica SL2-S is the clear winner of the match-up (16 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding 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.

Leica SL2-S 16:08 D500

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon D500 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR 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 remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Leica SL2-S or the D500. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

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
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica SL2-S4/5..4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Dec 2020 EUR 4 499 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 EUR 2 399ebay.com
3.
 
Canon R35/5o4.5/5..5/54.5/5 Sep 2021 EUR 5 999 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 EUR 6 899ebay.com
5.
 
Leica SL24/5..4.5/5..4.5/54/5 Nov 2019 EUR 5 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 EUR 1 399ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D6104/5+ +..87/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2013 EUR 1 949ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D71005/5+ +..85/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2013 EUR 1 179ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 EUR 1 179ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D75004.5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Apr 2017 EUR 1 499 amazon.com
11.
 
Nikon Z6 II4.5/5..4/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2020 EUR 2 199 amazon.com
12.
 
Olympus E-M1X4.5/5o5/585/1004.5/5.. Jan 2019 EUR 2 999ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic S14.5/5+ +4.5/588/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2019 EUR 2 499 amazon.com
14.
 
Panasonic S1H....4/590/100.... May 2019 EUR 3 999 amazon.com
15.
 
Panasonic S1R4.5/5..4.6/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 EUR 3 699 amazon.com
16.
 
Panasonic S54.5/5+ +4.5/588/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2020 EUR 1 999 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony A9 II....5/590/1005/55/5 Oct 2019 EUR 5 399 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, 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 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.

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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. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Leica SL2-S vs Nikon D500

    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 SL2-S Nikon D500
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Leica L mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date December 2020 January 2016
    Launch Price USD 4,899 USD 1,999
    Sensor Specs Leica SL2-S Nikon D500
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm 23.5 x 15.7 mm
    Sensor Area 864 mm2 368.95 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm 28.3 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 20.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.00 μm 4.22 μm
    Pixel Density 2.78 MP/cm2 5.60 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/60p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 50,000 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 100,000 ISO 50 - 1,640,000 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro III EXPEED 5
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 95 83
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 25.2 24.0
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 14.1 14.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 3504 1324
    Screen Specs Leica SL2-S Nikon D500
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.67x
    Viewfinder Resolution 5760k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.2inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 2100k dots 2359k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Leica SL2-S Nikon D500
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 20 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC or XQD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Dual card slots
    UHS card support Dual UHS-II UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Leica SL2-S Nikon D500
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.2 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port full HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port External MIC port
    Headphone Socket Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication no NFC NFC built-in
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Leica SL2-S Nikon D500
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Leica BP-SCL4 Nikon EN-EL15
    Battery Life (CIPA)510 shots per charge1240 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83 mm
    (5.7 x 4.2 x 3.3 in)
    147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 931 g (32.8 oz) 860 g (30.3 oz)
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