Leica TL vs Nikon D2H

The Leica TL and the Nikon D2H are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2016 and July 2003. The TL is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D2H is a DSLR. Both cameras are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 4 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Leica TL		Nikon D2H
Mirrorless system camera		Digital single lens reflex
Leica T mount lenses		Nikon F mount lenses
16.1 MP, APS-C Sensor		4 MP, APS-C Sensor
1080/30p Video		no Video
ISO 100-12,500		ISO 200-1,600 (200 - 6,400)
Viewfinder optional		Optical viewfinder
3.7 LCD, 1230k dots		2.5 LCD, 211k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second		8 shutter flaps per second
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge		2900 shots per battery charge
134 x 69 x 33 mm, 384 g		158 x 150 x 86 mm, 1070 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica TL and the Nikon D2H? 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 TL and the Nikon D2H are illustrated 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.

The TL can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, titanium), while the D2H 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 D2H is considerably larger (156 percent) than the Leica TL. Moreover, the D2H is substantially heavier (179 percent) than the TL. It is noteworthy in this context that the D2H is splash and dust-proof, while the TL does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

As can be seen in the images above, the D2H has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. The power pack in the TL can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Leica TL	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	13.5 oz	400	n	Nov 2016	1,695
	Nikon D2H	6.2 in	5.9 in	3.4 in	37.7 oz	2900	Y	Jul 2003	3,499
	Fujifilm X70	4.4 in	2.5 in	1.7 in	12.0 oz	330	n	Jan 2016	799
	Fujifilm X-A10	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	11.7 oz	410	n	Dec 2016	399
	Fujifilm X-E2S	5.1 in	3.0 in	1.5 in	12.3 oz	350	n	Jan 2016	699
	Fujifilm X-A2	4.6 in	2.6 in	1.6 in	12.3 oz	410	n	Jan 2015	399
	Fujifilm X-T10	4.6 in	3.3 in	1.6 in	13.4 oz	350	n	May 2015	799
	Fujifilm X-Pro1	5.5 in	3.2 in	1.7 in	15.9 oz	300	n	Jan 2012	1,699
	Leica CL	5.2 in	3.1 in	1.8 in	14.2 oz	220	n	Nov 2017	2,795
	Leica TL2	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	14.1 oz	250	n	Jul 2017	1,950
	Leica T	5.3 in	2.7 in	1.3 in	13.5 oz	400	n	Apr 2014	1,850
	Leica X2	4.9 in	2.7 in	2.0 in	12.2 oz	450	n	May 2012	1,995
	Nikon D300S	5.8 in	4.5 in	3.2 in	33.1 oz	950	Y	Jul 2009	1,799
	Nikon D700	5.8 in	4.8 in	3.0 in	37.9 oz	1000	Y	Jul 2008	2,999
	Nikon D300	5.8 in	4.5 in	2.9 in	32.6 oz	1000	Y	Aug 2007	1,799
	Nikon D200	5.8 in	4.4 in	2.9 in	32.5 oz	400	Y	Nov 2005	1,699
	Nikon D1H	6.2 in	6.0 in	3.3 in	38.8 oz	1200	Y	Feb 2001	4,499
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Metric

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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 TL was launched at a markedly lower price (by 52 percent) than the D2H, 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. 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 an APS-C sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the D2H is 3 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 16.1MP, the TL offers a higher resolution than the D2H (4MP), but the TL has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.80μm versus 9.50μm for the D2H). However, the TL is a much more recent model (by 13 years and 3 months) than the D2H, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the TL has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica TL implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the TL for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D2H are 12.3 x 8.2 inches or 31.3 x 20.7 cm for good quality, 9.9 x 6.5 inches or 25 x 16.6 cm for very good quality, and 8.2 x 5.4 inches or 20.9 x 13.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica TL has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D2H are ISO 200 to ISO 1600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 200-6400.

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 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
	Leica TL	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D2H	APS-C	4.0	2464	1632	none	18.9	10.0	352	40
	Fujifilm X70	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-A10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-E2S	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-A2	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/30p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-T10	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
	Fujifilm X-Pro1	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/24p	..	..	..	..
	Leica CL	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Leica TL2	APS-C	24.1	6014	4014	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
	Leica T	APS-C	16.2	4944	3278	1080/30p	23.0	12.7	1082	75
	Leica X2	APS-C	16.1	4928	3264	none	..	..	..	..
	Nikon D300S	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.5	12.2	787	70
	Nikon D700	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	none	23.5	12.2	2303	80
	Nikon D300	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	12.0	679	67
	Nikon D200	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.5	583	64
	Nikon D1H	APS-C	2.6	2000	1312	none	..	..	..	..

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The TL indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D2H does not. The highest resolution format that the TL can use is 1080/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D2H has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the TL relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the TL can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the Visoflex (Typ 020). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica TL, the Nikon D2H, 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
	Leica TL	optional	n	3.7	1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D2H	optical	Y	2.5	211	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	n	n
	Fujifilm X70	optional	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X-A10	none	n	3.0	1040	tilting	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X-E2S	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	7.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X-A2	none	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.6	Y	n
	Fujifilm X-T10	2360	n	3.0	920	tilting	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
	Fujifilm X-Pro1	1440	n	3.0	1230	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	n	n
	Leica CL	2360	Y	3.0	1040	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	n
	Leica TL2	optional	n	3.7	1230	fixed	Y	1/4000s	7.0	n	n
	Leica T	optional	n	3.7	1300	fixed	Y	1/4000s	5.0	Y	n
	Leica X2	optional	n	2.7	230	fixed	n	1/2000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D300S	optical	Y	3.0	920	fixed	n	1/8000s	7.0	Y	n
	Nikon D700	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0	Y	n
	Nikon D300	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0	Y	n
	Nikon D200	optical	Y	2.5	230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0	Y	n
	Nikon D1H	optical	Y	2.0	120	fixed	n	1/16000s	5.0	n	n

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The TL has one, while the D2H does not. While the built-in flash of the TL is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The TL writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D2H uses Compact Flash 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 TL and Nikon D2H 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
	Leica TL	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Nikon D2H	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Fujifilm X70	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X-A10	-	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X-E2S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X-A2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X-T10	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
	Fujifilm X-Pro1	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Leica CL	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	-	Y	-	-
	Leica TL2	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	3.0	Y	-	-
	Leica T	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	-	2.0	Y	-	-
	Leica X2	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D300S	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D700	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D300	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D200	Y	-	-	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
	Nikon D1H	Y	-	-	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-

It is notable that the TL offers wifi support, while the D2H does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D2H (unlike the TL) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the TL and the D2H have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The D2H was replaced by the Nikon D2Hs, while the TL was followed by the Leica TL2. 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 TL or the Nikon D2H – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Leica TL:

• More detail: Offers more megapixels (16.1 vs 4MP) with a 100% higher linear resolution.
• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 1080/30p movies.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.7" vs 2.5") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1230k vs 211k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
• More compact: Is smaller (134x69mm vs 158x150mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter (by 686g or 64 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
• Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (52 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 13 years and 3 months of technical progress since the D2H launch.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D2H:

• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (2900 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in July 2003).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the TL is the clear winner of the match-up (15 : 10 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 TL and the Nikon D2H 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the TL and the D2H in practical situations. 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 expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). 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.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	camera   labs	dp review	ephoto   zine	imaging resource	photography   blog	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
	Leica TL	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2016	1,695
	Nikon D2H	..	+ +	..	o	..	Jul 2003	3,499
	Fujifilm X70	..	76/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	799
	Fujifilm X-A10	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	Dec 2016	399
	Fujifilm X-E2S	..	77/100	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	Jan 2016	699
	Fujifilm X-A2	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2015	399
	Fujifilm X-T10	+ +	80/100	5/5	4/5	5/5	May 2015	799
	Fujifilm X-Pro1	+ +	79/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	1,699
	Leica CL	..	..	..	..	4/5	Nov 2017	2,795
	Leica TL2	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	Jul 2017	1,950
	Leica T	..	..	4/5	..	4/5	Apr 2014	1,850
	Leica X2	..	..	3/5	..	4/5	May 2012	1,995
	Nikon D300S	+ +	82/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	1,799
	Nikon D700	89/100	+ +	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2008	2,999
	Nikon D300	+ +	+ +	5/5	o	4.5/5	Aug 2007	1,799
	Nikon D200	+ +	+ +	o	5/5	..	Nov 2005	1,699
	Nikon D1H	..	+ +	..	o	..	Feb 2001	4,499
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. 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, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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 a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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Specifications: Leica TL vs Nikon D2H

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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