Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9
The Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Z9 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in December 2020 and October 2021. Both the Leica SL2-S and the Z9 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with a full frame sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 45.4 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Z9? 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 Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Z9 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z9 is considerably larger (43 percent) than the Leica SL2-S. Moreover, the Z9 is substantially heavier (44 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 Z9 can take 740 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL18d power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the Z9 has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the Leica SL2-S, Leica provides the HG-SCL6 vertical grip as an optional accessory (see here on ebay). The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. 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.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Leica SL2-S | 146 mm | 107 mm | 83 mm | 931 g | 510 | Y | Dec 2020 | 4,895 | amazon.com | |
2. | Nikon Z9 | 149 mm | 150 mm | 91 mm | 1340 g | 740 | Y | Oct 2021 | 5,499 | amazon.com | |
3. | Canon 1D X Mark III | 158 mm | 168 mm | 83 mm | 1440 g | 2850 | Y | Jan 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
4. | Canon R3 | 150 mm | 143 mm | 87 mm | 1015 g | 760 | Y | Sep 2021 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
5. | Canon R6 | 138 mm | 98 mm | 88 mm | 680 g | 360 | Y | Jul 2020 | 2,499 | amazon.com | |
6. | Leica SL | 147 mm | 104 mm | 39 mm | 847 g | 400 | Y | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ebay.com | |
7. | Leica SL2 | 146 mm | 107 mm | 42 mm | 953 g | 370 | Y | Nov 2019 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
8. | Nikon D6 | 160 mm | 163 mm | 92 mm | 1270 g | 3580 | Y | Feb 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
9. | Nikon Z7 | 134 mm | 101 mm | 67 mm | 675 g | 330 | Y | Aug 2018 | 3,399 | ebay.com | |
10. | Nikon Z7 II | 134 mm | 101 mm | 70 mm | 705 g | 420 | Y | Oct 2020 | 2,999 | amazon.com | |
11. | Nikon Z8 | 144 mm | 119 mm | 83 mm | 910 g | 340 | Y | May 2023 | 3,999 | amazon.com | |
12. | Panasonic S1 | 149 mm | 110 mm | 97 mm | 1017 g | 400 | Y | Feb 2019 | 2,499 | amazon.com | |
13. | Panasonic S1H | 151 mm | 114 mm | 110 mm | 1052 g | 400 | Y | May 2019 | 3,999 | amazon.com | |
14. | Panasonic S1R | 149 mm | 110 mm | 97 mm | 1016 g | 380 | Y | Feb 2019 | 3,699 | amazon.com | |
15. | Panasonic S5 | 133 mm | 98 mm | 82 mm | 714 g | 440 | Y | Sep 2020 | 1,999 | amazon.com | |
16. | Sony A7C | 124 mm | 71 mm | 60 mm | 509 g | 740 | Y | Sep 2020 | 1,799 | amazon.com | |
17. | Sony A9 II | 129 mm | 96 mm | 76 mm | 678 g | 690 | Y | Oct 2019 | 4,499 | amazon.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The Leica SL2-S was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 11 percent) than the Z9, 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. 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. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Both cameras under consideration feature a full frame sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the Z9 is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Z9 offers a higher resolution of 45.4 megapixels, compared with 24 MP of the Leica SL2-S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.35μm versus 6.00μm for the Leica SL2-S). However, it should be noted that the Z9 is a somewhat more recent model (by 10 months) than the Leica SL2-S, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that partly offset its pixel-size disadvantage. 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 Nikon Z9 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Z9 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.3 x 27.5 inches or 104.9 x 69.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33 x 22 inches or 83.9 x 55.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.5 x 18.3 inches or 69.9 x 46.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica SL2-S are 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Z9 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
Unlike the Z9, 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 Z9 are ISO 64 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 32-102400.
In terms of underlying technology, the Leica SL2-S is build around a CMOS sensor, while the Z9 uses a Stacked BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
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. The Overall DXO ratings for the two cameras under consideration are close, suggesting that they provide similar imaging performance. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
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 | 4000 | 4K/60p | 25.2 | 14.1 | 3504 | 95 | |
2. | Nikon Z9 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 8K/30p | 26.3 | 14.4 | 2451 | 98 | |
3. | Canon 1D X Mark III | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.2 | 14.5 | 3248 | 91 | |
4. | Canon R3 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 6K/60p | 25.0 | 14.7 | 4086 | 96 | |
5. | Canon R6 | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4k/60p | 24.2 | 14.3 | 3394 | 90 | |
6. | Leica SL | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 13.4 | 1821 | 88 | |
7. | Leica SL2 | Full Frame | 46.7 | 8368 | 5584 | 4K/60p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 2866 | 95 | |
8. | Nikon D6 | Full Frame | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 2886 | 95 | |
9. | Nikon Z7 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 4K/30p | 26.3 | 14.6 | 2668 | 99 | |
10. | Nikon Z7 II | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 4K/60p | 26.3 | 14.7 | 2841 | 100 | |
11. | Nikon Z8 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 8K/30p | 26.3 | 14.2 | 2548 | 98 | |
12. | Panasonic S1 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/60p | 25.2 | 14.5 | 3333 | 95 | |
13. | Panasonic S1H | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 6K/30p | 25.2 | 14.2 | 2805 | 94 | |
14. | Panasonic S1R | Full Frame | 46.7 | 8368 | 5584 | 4K/60p | 26.4 | 14.1 | 3525 | 100 | |
15. | Panasonic S5 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/60p | 25.1 | 14.5 | 2697 | 94 | |
16. | Sony A7C | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 14.7 | 3407 | 95 | |
17. | Sony A9 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 3434 | 93 | |
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. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the Z9 provides a better video resolution than the Leica SL2-S. It can shoot movie footage at 8K/30p, while the Leica is limited to 4K/60p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the Leica SL2-S offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the Z9 (5760k vs 3690k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica SL2-S and Nikon Z9 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.
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-S | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | Y | |
2. | Nikon Z9 | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2089 | full-flex | Y | 1/32000s | 30.0/s | n | Y | |
3. | Canon 1D X Mark III | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | n | |
4. | Canon R3 | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 4150 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
5. | Canon R6 | 3690 | n | 3.0 / 1620 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
6. | Leica SL | 4400 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
7. | Leica SL2 | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
8. | Nikon D6 | optical | Y | 3.2 / 2359 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | n | |
9. | Nikon Z7 | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
10. | Nikon Z7 II | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
11. | Nikon Z8 | 3690 | Y | 3.2 / 2089 | full-flex | Y | 1/32000s | 30.0/s | n | Y | |
12. | Panasonic S1 | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
13. | Panasonic S1H | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2330 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
14. | Panasonic S1R | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
15. | Panasonic S5 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 7.0/s | n | Y | |
16. | Sony A7C | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 922 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
17. | Sony A9 II | 3686 | n | 3.0 / 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. |
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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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 Z9 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 Z9 uses CFexpress (type B) or XQD cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails.
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 Z9 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Leica SL2-S | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
2. | Nikon Z9 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
3. | Canon 1D X Mark III | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
4. | Canon R3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
5. | Canon R6 | Y | mono / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
6. | Leica SL | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
7. | Leica SL2 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
8. | Nikon D6 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | mini | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
9. | Nikon Z7 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
10. | Nikon Z7 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
11. | Nikon Z8 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
12. | Panasonic S1 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
13. | Panasonic S1H | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
14. | Panasonic S1R | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
15. | Panasonic S5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
16. | Sony A7C | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | Y | Y | |
17. | Sony A9 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | Y | Y |
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon Z9 (unlike the Leica SL2-S) 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 Z9 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.
Both the Leica SL2-S and the Z9 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. Neither of the two has a direct predecessor, so perhaps they will constitute the origins of new camera lines for Leica and Nikon. Further information on the features and operation of the Leica SL2-S and Z9 can be found, respectively, in the Leica SL2-S Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon Z9 Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Z9? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.
Advantages of the Leica SL2-S:
- High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.5 stops ISO advantage).
- More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 3690k dots).
- More compact: Is smaller (146x107mm vs 149x150mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter (by 409g or 31 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
- More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced segment (11 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in December 2020).
Reasons to prefer the Nikon Z9:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (45.4 vs 24MP), which boosts linear resolution by 38%.
- Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (1.1 bits more color depth).
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8K/30p vs 4K/60p).
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.80x vs 0.78x).
- More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/32000s vs 1/8000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (30 vs 20 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (740 versus 510) out of a single battery charge.
- Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- More modern: Was introduced somewhat (10 months) more recently.
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Z9 is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 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 wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports 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 Leica SL2-S and the Nikon Z9 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 SL2-S or the Z9. 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 where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear 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.
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Leica SL2-S | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Dec 2020 | 4,895 | amazon.com | |
2. | Nikon Z9 | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 94/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Oct 2021 | 5,499 | amazon.com | |
3. | Canon 1D X Mark III | .. | + + | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
4. | Canon R3 | 5/5 | o | 4.5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2021 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
5. | Canon R6 | 5/5 | + + | 4/5 | 90/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jul 2020 | 2,499 | amazon.com | |
6. | Leica SL | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ebay.com | |
7. | Leica SL2 | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Nov 2019 | 5,999 | amazon.com | |
8. | Nikon D6 | .. | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2020 | 6,499 | amazon.com | |
9. | Nikon Z7 | 5/5 | + | 4.8/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Aug 2018 | 3,399 | ebay.com | |
10. | Nikon Z7 II | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2020 | 2,999 | amazon.com | |
11. | Nikon Z8 | 5/5 | .. | 5/5 | 94/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2023 | 3,999 | amazon.com | |
12. | Panasonic S1 | 4.5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 88/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2019 | 2,499 | amazon.com | |
13. | Panasonic S1H | .. | .. | 4/5 | 90/100 | .. | .. | May 2019 | 3,999 | amazon.com | |
14. | Panasonic S1R | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.6/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2019 | 3,699 | amazon.com | |
15. | Panasonic S5 | 4.5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 88/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2020 | 1,999 | amazon.com | |
16. | Sony A7C | 3.5/5 | .. | 3.5/5 | 86/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2020 | 1,799 | amazon.com | |
17. | Sony A9 II | .. | .. | 5/5 | 90/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Oct 2019 | 4,499 | amazon.com | |
Note: (+ +) 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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Specifications: Leica SL2-S vs Nikon Z9
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 Model | Leica SL2-S | Nikon Z9 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Mirrorless system camera |
Camera Lens | Leica L mount lenses | Nikon Z mount lenses |
Launch Date | December 2020 | October 2021 |
Launch Price | USD 4,895 | USD 5,499 |
Sensor Specs | Leica SL2-S | Nikon Z9 |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | Stacked BSI-CMOS |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
Sensor Size | 36.0 x 24.0 mm | 35.9 x 23.9 mm |
Sensor Area | 864 mm2 | 858.01 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 43.3 mm | 43.1 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | 1.0x |
Sensor Resolution | 24 Megapixels | 45.4 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 8256 x 5504 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 6.00 μm | 4.35 μm |
Pixel Density | 2.78 MP/cm2 | 5.30 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 4K/60p Video | 8K/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 50,000 ISO | 64 - 25,600 ISO |
ISO Boost | 50 - 100,000 ISO | 32 - 102,400 ISO |
Image Processor | Maestro III | EXPEED 7 |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 95 | 98 |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 25.2 | 26.3 |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 14.1 | 14.4 |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 3504 | 2451 |
Screen Specs | Leica SL2-S | Nikon Z9 |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | Electronic viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.80x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 5760k dots | 3690k 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 | 2089k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fully flexible screen |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
Shooting Specs | Leica SL2-S | Nikon Z9 |
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | On-Sensor Phase-detect |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | Focus Peaking |
Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/8000s | 1/32000s |
Continuous Shooting | 20 shutter flaps/s | 30 shutter flaps/s |
Electronic Shutter | up to 1/16000s | up to 1/32000s |
Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | Intervalometer built-in |
Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | In-body stabilization |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | no On-Board Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | CFexB or XQD cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Dual card slots |
Connectivity Specs | Leica SL2-S | Nikon Z9 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | no PC Sync | PC Sync socket |
USB Connector | USB 3.2 | USB 3.2 |
HDMI Port | full HDMI | full HDMI |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | External MIC port |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | Headphone port |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | Wifi built-in |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | Bluetooth built-in |
Geotagging | no internal GPS | GPS built-in |
Body Specs | Leica SL2-S | Nikon Z9 |
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Weathersealed body |
Battery Type | Leica BP-SCL4 | Nikon EN-EL18d |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 510 shots per charge | 740 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
146 x 107 x 83 mm (5.7 x 4.2 x 3.3 in) |
149 x 150 x 91 mm (5.9 x 5.9 x 3.6 in) |
Camera Weight | 931 g (32.8 oz) | 1340 g (47.3 oz) |
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