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Leica SL2 vs Nikon D500

The Leica SL2 and the Nikon D500 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2019 and January 2016. The Leica SL2 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D500 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a full frame (Leica SL2) and an APS-C (D500) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 46.7 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
versus
Nikon D500
Leica SL2   Nikon D500
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Leica L mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
46.7 MP – Full Frame sensor 20.7 MP – APS-C sensor
4K/60p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 100-50,000 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
10 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
Weathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
370 shots per battery charge1240 shots per battery charge
146 x 107 x 42 mm, 953 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 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

The physical size and weight of the Leica SL2 and the Nikon D500 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. 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 dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica SL2 vs Nikon D500
Compare Leica SL2 versus D500 top
Comparison Leica SL2 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. However, the D500 is markedly lighter (10 percent) than the Leica SL2. 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 gets 370 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 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. 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
  empty 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 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
3.
 
Leica Q2 130 mm 80 mm 92 mm 718 g 370 Y Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 Y Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
5.
 
Leica SL2-S 146 mm 107 mm 83 mm 931 g 510 Y Dec 2020 4,895 amazon.com
6.
 
Leica SL3 141 mm 108 mm 85 mm 769 g 320 Y Mar 2024 6,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon D300S 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 938 g 950 Y Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D3400 124 mm 98 mm 76 mm 445 g 1200 n Aug 2016 499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D5500 124 mm 97 mm 70 mm 470 g 820 n Jan 2015 899ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D7500 136 mm 104 mm 73 mm 720 g 950 Y Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com
12.
 
Nikon Z7 134 mm 101 mm 67 mm 675 g 330 Y Aug 2018 3,399ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic S1 149 mm 110 mm 97 mm 1017 g 400 Y Feb 2019 2,499 amazon.com
14.
 
Panasonic S1H 151 mm 114 mm 110 mm 1052 g 400 Y May 2019 3,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Panasonic S1R 149 mm 110 mm 97 mm 1016 g 380 Y Feb 2019 3,699 amazon.com
16.
 
Pentax K-1 II 137 mm 110 mm 86 mm 1010 g 670 Y Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony A99 II 143 mm 104 mm 76 mm 849 g 490 Y Sep 2016 3,199ebay.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 listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D500 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 67 percent) than the Leica SL2, 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 size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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 are more costly to manufacture and tend to 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 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 and Nikon D500 sensor measures

With 46.7MP, the Leica SL2 offers a higher resolution than the D500 (20.7MP), but the Leica SL2 nevertheless has marginally larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.30μm versus 4.22μm for the D500) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Leica SL2 is a much more recent model (by 3 years and 10 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 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Leica 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 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 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 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 versus D500 MP

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 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 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/60p25.314.3286695
2.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
3.
 
Leica Q2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/30p26.413.5249196
4.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
5.
 
Leica SL2-S Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.214.1350495
6.
 
Leica SL3 Full Frame 60.3 9520 63368K/30p25.414.8329597
7.
 
Nikon D300S APS-C 12.2 4288 2848720/24p22.512.278770
8.
 
Nikon D3400 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.813.9119286
9.
 
Nikon D5500 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.114.0143884
10.
 
Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.6133387
11.
 
Nikon D7500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.314.0148386
12.
 
Nikon Z7 Full Frame 45.4 8256 55044K/30p26.314.6266899
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.
 
Pentax K-1 II Full Frame 36.2 7360 49121080/60i25.114.0269893
17.
 
Sony A99 II Full Frame 42.2 7952 53044K/30p25.413.4231792
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 Leica SL2 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

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Leica SL2 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 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 adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica SL2 and Nikon D500 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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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 SL25760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
2.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
3.
 
Leica Q23680 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s n Y
4.
 
Leica SL4400 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
5.
 
Leica SL2-S5760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
6.
 
Leica SL35760 Y3.2 / 2333 tilting Y 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
7.
 
Nikon D300Soptical Y3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon D3400optical n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
9.
 
Nikon D5500optical n3.2 / 1037 swivel Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Nikon D7500optical Y3.2 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
12.
 
Nikon Z73690 Y3.2 / 2100 tilting Y 1/8000s 9.0/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.
 
Pentax K-1 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 full-flex n 1/8000s 4.4/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A99 II2400 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 12.0/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 and the D500 is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The Leica SL2 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 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 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 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 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 SL2Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
2.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
3.
 
Leica Q2Ystereo / mono----Y-Y
4.
 
Leica SLYstereo / monoYYfull3.0Y--
5.
 
Leica SL2-SYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
6.
 
Leica SL3Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
7.
 
Nikon D300SYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
8.
 
Nikon D3400Ymono / mono--mini2.0--Y
9.
 
Nikon D5500Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0Y--
10.
 
Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
11.
 
Nikon D7500Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y-Y
12.
 
Nikon Z7Ystereo / monoYYmicro3.1Y-Y
13.
 
Panasonic S1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
14.
 
Panasonic S1HYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
15.
 
Panasonic S1RYstereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
16.
 
Pentax K-1 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0Y--
17.
 
Sony A99 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY

Both cameras feature a PC Sync terminal to control professional strobe lights, which will be appreciated by studio photographers.

The Leica SL2 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 and D500 can be found, respectively, in the Leica SL2 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 and the Nikon D500? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Arguments in favor of the Leica SL2:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (46.7 vs 20.7MP) with a 50% 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).
  • 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).
  • 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 3 years and 10 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 370) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (67 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in January 2016).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Leica SL2 is the clear winner of the match-up (16 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

Leica SL2 16:07 D500

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica SL2 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 comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Leica SL2 or the D500. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

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

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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 (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica SL24/5..4.5/5..4.5/54/5 Nov 2019 5,999 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,999ebay.com
3.
 
Leica Q2....4.5/584/1004.5/54/5 Mar 2019 4,995 amazon.com
4.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 7,450ebay.com
5.
 
Leica SL2-S4/5..4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Dec 2020 4,895 amazon.com
6.
 
Leica SL3....4.5/5....4.5/5 Mar 2024 6,999 amazon.com
7.
 
Nikon D300S5/5+ +..82/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2009 1,799ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon D34004/5+4/576/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2016 499ebay.com
9.
 
Nikon D55005/5+..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 899ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D75004.5/5+ +4.5/586/1005/54.5/5 Apr 2017 1,299 amazon.com
12.
 
Nikon Z75/5+4.8/589/1004.5/55/5 Aug 2018 3,399ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic S14.5/5+ +4.5/588/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2019 2,499 amazon.com
14.
 
Panasonic S1H....4/590/100.... May 2019 3,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Panasonic S1R4.5/5..4.6/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2019 3,699 amazon.com
16.
 
Pentax K-1 II....4.5/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
17.
 
Sony A99 II....4.5/585/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2016 3,199ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Leica SL2 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 Nikon D500
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Leica L mount lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date November 2019 January 2016
    Launch Price USD 5,999 USD 1,999
    Sensor Specs Leica SL2 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 46.7 Megapixels 20.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 8368 x 5584 pixels 5568 x 3712 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.30 μm 4.22 μm
    Pixel Density 5.41 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 - 50,000 ISO 50 - 1,640,000 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro III EXPEED 5
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 83
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 24.0
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 14.0
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 1324
    Screen Specs Leica SL2 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 Nikon D500
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy400 000 actuations200 000 actuations
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/40000sno 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 Nikon D500
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 3.1 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 Nikon D500
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodyWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Leica BP-SCL4 Nikon EN-EL15
    Battery Life (CIPA)370 shots per charge1240 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 146 x 107 x 42 mm
    (5.7 x 4.2 x 1.7 in)
    147 x 115 x 81 mm
    (5.8 x 4.5 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 953 g (33.6 oz) 860 g (30.3 oz)
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