Leica SL2 vs Nikon A1000

The Leica SL2 and the Nikon Coolpix A1000 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in November 2019 and January 2019. The SL2 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the A1000 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (SL2) and a 1/2.3-inch (A1000) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 46.7 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 15.9 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Leica SL2		Nikon A1000
Mirrorless system camera		Fixed lens compact camera
Leica L mount lenses		24-840mm f/3.4-6.9
46.7 MP, Full Frame Sensor		15.9 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor
4K/60p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-50,000		ISO 100-6,400
Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots)
3.2 LCD, 2100k dots		3.0 LCD, 1036k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Tilting touchscreen
10 shutter flaps per second		7 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		Lens-based stabilization
Weathersealed body		not weather sealed
370 shots per battery charge		250 shots per battery charge
146 x 107 x 42 mm, 953 g		114 x 72 x 41 mm, 330 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL2 and the Nikon Coolpix A1000? 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 side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica SL2 and the Nikon A1000. 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 A1000 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the SL2 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 Nikon A1000 is considerably smaller (47 percent) than the Leica SL2. It is worth mentioning in this context that the SL2 is splash and dust resistant, while the A1000 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the A1000 has a lens built in, whereas the SL2 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

The power pack in the SL2 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.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica SL2	146 mm	107 mm	42 mm	953 g	370	Y	Nov 2019	5,999
2.		Nikon A1000	114 mm	72 mm	41 mm	330 g	250	n	Jan 2019	429
3.		Canon R5	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	738 g	320	Y	Jul 2020	3,899
4.		Canon SX740	110 mm	64 mm	40 mm	299 g	265	n	Jul 2018	399
5.		Leica SL2-S	146 mm	107 mm	83 mm	931 g	510	Y	Dec 2020	4,895
6.		Leica Q2	130 mm	80 mm	92 mm	718 g	370	Y	Mar 2019	4,995
7.		Leica SL	147 mm	104 mm	39 mm	847 g	400	Y	Oct 2015	7,450
8.		Nikon P1000	146 mm	119 mm	181 mm	1415 g	250	n	Jul 2018	999
9.		Nikon Z7	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	330	Y	Aug 2018	3,399
10.		Panasonic S1	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1017 g	400	Y	Feb 2019	2,499
11.		Panasonic S1R	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1016 g	380	Y	Feb 2019	3,699
12.		Panasonic S1H	151 mm	114 mm	110 mm	1052 g	400	Y	May 2019	3,999
13.		Pentax K-1 II	137 mm	110 mm	86 mm	1010 g	670	Y	Feb 2018	1,999
14.		Sony HX99	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	449
15.		Sony HX95	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	242 g	370	n	Aug 2018	429
16.		Sony WX800	102 mm	58 mm	36 mm	233 g	370	n	Oct 2018	399
17.		Sony A99 II	143 mm	104 mm	76 mm	849 g	490	Y	Sep 2016	3,199
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The A1000 was launched at a lower price than the SL2, despite having a lens built in. 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. 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. 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 more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica SL2 features a full frame sensor and the Nikon A1000 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the A1000 is 97 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 5.6. The sensor in the SL2 has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the A1000 offers a 4:3 aspect.

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

With 46.7MP, the SL2 offers a higher resolution than the A1000 (15.9MP), but the SL2 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.30μm versus 1.33μm for the A1000) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the SL2 is a somewhat more recent model (by 9 months) than the A1000, 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 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 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the SL2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.8 x 27.9 inches or 106.3 x 70.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33.5 x 22.3 inches or 85 x 56.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.9 x 18.6 inches or 70.8 x 47.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon A1000 are 23 x 17.3 inches or 58.5 x 43.9 cm for good quality, 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.8 x 35.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.4 x 11.5 inches or 39 x 29.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the A1000, the SL2 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (187MP) 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 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000, which can be extended to ISO 50-50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Coolpix A1000 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). 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.		Leica SL2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
2.		Nikon A1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
3.		Canon R5	Full Frame	44.8	8192	5464	8k/30p	25.3	14.6	3042	95
4.		Canon SX740	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
5.		Leica SL2-S	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	..	..	..	..
6.		Leica Q2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/30p	26.4	13.5	2491	96
7.		Leica SL	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	13.4	1821	88
8.		Nikon P1000	1/2.3	15.9	4608	3456	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
9.		Nikon Z7	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.3	14.6	2668	99
10.		Panasonic S1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.5	3333	95
11.		Panasonic S1R	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	26.4	14.1	3525	100
12.		Panasonic S1H	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	..	..	..	..
13.		Pentax K-1 II	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/60i	..	..	..	..
14.		Sony HX99	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Sony HX95	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
16.		Sony WX800	1/2.3	18.0	4896	3672	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
17.		Sony A99 II	Full Frame	42.2	7952	5304	4K/30p	25.4	13.4	2317	92

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the SL2 provides a higher frame rate than the A1000. It can shoot video footage at 4K/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 4K/30p.

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 SL2 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the A1000 (5760k vs 1166k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica SL2, the Nikon A1000, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (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.		Leica SL2	5760	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
2.		Nikon A1000	1166	n	3.0	1036	tilting	Y	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y
3.		Canon R5	5760	Y	3.2	2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
4.		Canon SX740	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/3200s	10.0	Y	Y
5.		Leica SL2-S	5760	Y	3.2	2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	20.0	n	Y
6.		Leica Q2	3680	n	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/2000s	20.0	n	Y
7.		Leica SL	4400	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	11.0	n	n
8.		Nikon P1000	2359	n	3.2	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	Y
9.		Nikon Z7	3690	Y	3.2	2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
10.		Panasonic S1	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
11.		Panasonic S1R	5760	Y	3.2	2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
12.		Panasonic S1H	5760	Y	3.2	2330	swivel	Y	1/8000s	9.0	n	Y
13.		Pentax K-1 II	optical	Y	3.2	1037	full-flex	n	1/8000s	4.4	n	Y
14.		Sony HX99	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
15.		Sony HX95	638	n	3.0	922	tilting	n	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
16.		Sony WX800	none	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
17.		Sony A99 II	2400	Y	3.0	1229	full-flex	n	1/8000s	12.0	n	Y

One feature that is present on the SL2, but is missing on the A1000 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 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 SL2 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 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 SL2 and the A1000 write their files to SDXC cards. The SL2 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the A1000 only has one slot. The SL2 supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the A1000 can use UHS-I 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 Leica SL2 and Nikon Coolpix A1000 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 Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica SL2	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
2.		Nikon A1000	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon R5	Y	mono	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon SX740	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
5.		Leica SL2-S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
6.		Leica Q2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	Y
7.		Leica SL	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.0	Y	-	-
8.		Nikon P1000	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
9.		Nikon Z7	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
10.		Panasonic S1	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
11.		Panasonic S1R	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		Panasonic S1H	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
13.		Pentax K-1 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
14.		Sony HX99	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony HX95	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
16.		Sony WX800	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony A99 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y

It is notable that the SL2 has a hotshoe, while the A1000 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica SL2 (unlike the A1000) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the SL2 and the A1000 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The A1000 replaced the earlier Nikon A900, while the SL2 followed on from the Leica SL (Typ 601). Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Leica SL2 or the Nikon A1000 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Leica SL2:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (46.7 vs 15.9MP) with a 75% higher linear resolution.
• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• 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 (4K/60p versus 4K/30p).
• 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.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 1166k dots).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1036k dots).
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 7 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (370 versus 250) on a single battery charge.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 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 a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 9 months after the A1000).

Arguments in favor of the Nikon Coolpix A1000:

• 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.
• Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the SL2 necessitates an extra lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (114x72mm vs 146x107mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the SL2).
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in January 2019).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the SL2 is the clear winner of the match-up (29 : 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 and the Nikon A1000 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the SL2 and the A1000 in practical situations. 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 following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], 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	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica SL2	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2019	5,999
2.		Nikon A1000	..	+ +	..	3.5/5	3/5	Jan 2019	429
3.		Canon R5	4.5/5	..	91/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2020	3,899
4.		Canon SX740	..	+	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2018	399
5.		Leica SL2-S	4/5	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Dec 2020	4,895
6.		Leica Q2	..	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Mar 2019	4,995
7.		Leica SL	4/5	..	84/100	4.5/5	4/5	Oct 2015	7,450
8.		Nikon P1000	..	+	73/100	3.5/5	3.5/5	Jul 2018	999
9.		Nikon Z7	5/5	+	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	3,399
10.		Panasonic S1	4.5/5	+ +	88/100	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2019	2,499
11.		Panasonic S1R	4.5/5	..	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	3,699
12.		Panasonic S1H	..	..	90/100	..	..	May 2019	3,999
13.		Pentax K-1 II	..	..	79/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2018	1,999
14.		Sony HX99	..	..	..	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	449
15.		Sony HX95	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2018	429
16.		Sony WX800	..	..	..	..	..	Oct 2018	399
17.		Sony A99 II	..	..	85/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	3,199
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

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. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods 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? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes 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: Leica SL2 vs Nikon A1000

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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