Leica TL2 vs TL
The Leica TL2 and the Leica TL are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in July 2017 and November 2016. Both the TL2 and the TL are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with an APS-C sensor. The TL2 has a resolution of 24.1 megapixels, whereas the TL provides 16.1 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 TL2 and the Leica TL? 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 TL2 and the Leica TL 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 measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The TL2 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the TL is available in three color-versions (black, silver, titanium).
In this particular case, the Leica TL2 and the Leica TL have exactly the same width and height, and, thus, have identically-sized bodies. However, the TL is slightly lighter (4 percent) than the TL2. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the TL2 nor the TL are weather-sealed.
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.
The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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.
# | Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Leica TL2 | 134 mm | 69 mm | 33 mm | 399 g | 250 | n | Jul 2017 | 1,950 | ebay.com | |
2. | Leica TL | 134 mm | 69 mm | 33 mm | 384 g | 400 | n | Nov 2016 | 1,695 | ebay.com | |
3. | Fujifilm X-T100 | 121 mm | 83 mm | 47 mm | 448 g | 430 | n | May 2018 | 599 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T20 | 118 mm | 83 mm | 41 mm | 383 g | 350 | n | Jan 2017 | 899 | ebay.com | |
5. | Fujifilm X-A3 | 117 mm | 67 mm | 40 mm | 339 g | 410 | n | Aug 2016 | 399 | ebay.com | |
6. | Fujifilm X-A10 | 117 mm | 67 mm | 40 mm | 331 g | 410 | n | Dec 2016 | 399 | ebay.com | |
7. | Fujifilm X-A2 | 117 mm | 67 mm | 40 mm | 350 g | 410 | n | Jan 2015 | 399 | ebay.com | |
8. | Fujifilm X-Pro1 | 140 mm | 82 mm | 43 mm | 450 g | 300 | n | Jan 2012 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
9. | Leica C-LUX | 113 mm | 67 mm | 46 mm | 340 g | 370 | n | Jun 2018 | 1,049 | ebay.com | |
10. | Leica CL | 131 mm | 78 mm | 45 mm | 403 g | 220 | n | Nov 2017 | 2,795 | ebay.com | |
11. | Leica T | 134 mm | 69 mm | 33 mm | 384 g | 400 | n | Apr 2014 | 1,850 | ebay.com | |
12. | Nikon D3500 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 415 g | 1550 | n | Aug 2018 | 429 | ebay.com | |
13. | Nikon D5600 | 124 mm | 97 mm | 70 mm | 465 g | 970 | n | Nov 2016 | 699 | ebay.com | |
14. | Nikon D3400 | 124 mm | 98 mm | 76 mm | 445 g | 1200 | n | Aug 2016 | 499 | ebay.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 retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The TL was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 13 percent) than the TL2, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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. 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. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better 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 and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 1.5. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.
While the two cameras under review share the same sensor size, the TL2 offers a higher resolution of 24.1 megapixels, compared with 16.1 MP of the TL. This megapixels advantage translates into a 22 percent gain in linear resolution. On the other hand, these sensor specs imply that the TL2 has a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.92μm versus 4.80μm for the TL). In this context, it should be noted, however, that the TL2 is a somewhat more recent model (by 8 months) than the TL, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that at least partly compensate for the smaller pixel size. 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 TL2 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the TL2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.1 x 20.1 inches or 76.4 x 51 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.1 x 16.1 inches or 61.1 x 40.8 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.4 inches or 50.9 x 34 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica TL are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Leica TL2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Leica TL are ISO 100 to ISO 12500 (no boost).
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.
For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). 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 TL2 | APS-C | 24.1 | 6014 | 4014 | 4K/30p | 23.9 | 13.3 | 1753 | 82 | |
2. | Leica TL | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.9 | 13.2 | 1690 | 81 | |
3. | Fujifilm X-T100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/15p | 24.0 | 13.4 | 1829 | 83 | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T20 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 23.9 | 13.2 | 1704 | 81 | |
5. | Fujifilm X-A3 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.8 | 13.1 | 1664 | 81 | |
6. | Fujifilm X-A10 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.9 | 13.2 | 1691 | 81 | |
7. | Fujifilm X-A2 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.6 | 12.8 | 1515 | 79 | |
8. | Fujifilm X-Pro1 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/24p | 23.1 | 12.3 | 1238 | 74 | |
9. | Leica C-LUX | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.1 | 12.3 | 481 | 64 | |
10. | Leica CL | APS-C | 24.1 | 6014 | 4014 | 4K/30p | 24.0 | 13.3 | 1788 | 82 | |
11. | Leica T | APS-C | 16.2 | 4944 | 3278 | 1080/30p | 23.0 | 12.7 | 1082 | 75 | |
12. | Nikon D3500 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.0 | 13.4 | 1851 | 83 | |
13. | Nikon D5600 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.1 | 14.0 | 1306 | 84 | |
14. | Nikon D3400 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 24.8 | 13.9 | 1192 | 86 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the TL2 provides a higher video resolution than the TL. It can shoot video footage at 4K/30p, while the TL is limited to 1080/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The TL2 and the TL are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. However, optional viewfinders – the Visoflex (Typ 020) for the TL2 and the Visoflex (Typ 020) for the TL – are available as accessories. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica TL2, the Leica TL, and comparable 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 TL2 | optional | n | 3.7 / 1230 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | n | n | |
2. | Leica TL | optional | n | 3.7 / 1230 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
3. | Fujifilm X-T100 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T20 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 8.0/s | Y | n | |
5. | Fujifilm X-A3 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
6. | Fujifilm X-A10 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Fujifilm X-A2 | none | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.6/s | Y | n | |
8. | Fujifilm X-Pro1 | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 1230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | n | n | |
9. | Leica C-LUX | 2330 | n | 3.0 / 1240 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
10. | Leica CL | 2360 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | n | |
11. | Leica T | optional | n | 3.7 / 1230 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
12. | Nikon D3500 | optical | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
13. | Nikon D5600 | optical | n | 3.2 / 1037 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
14. | Nikon D3400 | optical | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The TL has one, while the TL2 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.
Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the TL2 and the TL write their files to SDXC cards. The TL2 supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the TL cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD 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 TL2 and Leica TL 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 TL2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
2. | Leica TL | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
3. | Fujifilm X-T100 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T20 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
5. | Fujifilm X-A3 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
6. | Fujifilm X-A10 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
7. | Fujifilm X-A2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
8. | Fujifilm X-Pro1 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
9. | Leica C-LUX | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
10. | Leica CL | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
11. | Leica T | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
12. | Nikon D3500 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | Y | |
13. | Nikon D5600 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
14. | Nikon D3400 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | Y |
Both the TL2 and the TL have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The TL was replaced by the Leica TL2, while the TL2 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the TL2 and TL can be found, respectively, in the Leica TL2 Manual (free pdf) or the online Leica TL Manual.
Review summary
So how do things add up? Which of the two cameras – the Leica TL2 or the Leica TL – 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 TL2:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (24.1 vs 16.1MP) with a 22% higher linear resolution.
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/30p vs 1080/30p).
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (7 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
- Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards.
- More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 8 months after the TL).
Arguments in favor of the Leica TL:
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (400 versus 250) out of a single battery charge.
- Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
- More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (13 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in November 2016).
If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the TL2 emerges as the winner of the contest (6 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional 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 TL2 and the Leica TL 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 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 TL2 and the TL in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews 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.
# | Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Leica TL2 | 3.5/5 | .. | 3/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jul 2017 | 1,950 | ebay.com | |
2. | Leica TL | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Nov 2016 | 1,695 | ebay.com | |
3. | Fujifilm X-T100 | 4/5 | + | 4.5/5 | 79/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | May 2018 | 599 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X-T20 | 5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 82/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 899 | ebay.com | |
5. | Fujifilm X-A3 | .. | .. | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Aug 2016 | 399 | ebay.com | |
6. | Fujifilm X-A10 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Dec 2016 | 399 | ebay.com | |
7. | Fujifilm X-A2 | 4/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2015 | 399 | ebay.com | |
8. | Fujifilm X-Pro1 | 5/5 | + + | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2012 | 1,699 | ebay.com | |
9. | Leica C-LUX | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2018 | 1,049 | ebay.com | |
10. | Leica CL | .. | .. | 4.2/5 | .. | .. | 4/5 | Nov 2017 | 2,795 | ebay.com | |
11. | Leica T | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2014 | 1,850 | ebay.com | |
12. | Nikon D3500 | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2018 | 429 | ebay.com | |
13. | Nikon D5600 | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Nov 2016 | 699 | ebay.com | |
14. | Nikon D3400 | 4/5 | + | 4/5 | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2016 | 499 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
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.
Specifications: Leica TL2 vs Leica TL
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 TL2 | Leica TL |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Mirrorless system camera |
Camera Lens | Leica T mount lenses | Leica T mount lenses |
Launch Date | July 2017 | November 2016 |
Launch Price | USD 1,950 | USD 1,695 |
Sensor Specs | Leica TL2 | Leica TL |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | APS-C Sensor |
Sensor Size | 23.6 x 15.7 mm | 23.6 x 15.7 mm |
Sensor Area | 370.52 mm2 | 370.52 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 28.3 mm | 28.3 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.5x |
Sensor Resolution | 24.1 Megapixels | 16.1 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 6014 x 4014 pixels | 4928 x 3264 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 3.92 μm | 4.80 μm |
Pixel Density | 6.52 MP/cm2 | 4.34 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | 1080/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 50,000 ISO | 100 - 12,500 ISO |
Screen Specs | Leica TL2 | Leica TL |
Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | Viewfinder optional |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.7inch | 3.7inch |
LCD Resolution | 1230k dots | 1230k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
Shooting Specs | Leica TL2 | Leica TL |
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 7 shutter flaps/s | 5 shutter flaps/s |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
UHS card support | UHS-II | no |
Connectivity Specs | Leica TL2 | Leica TL |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
USB Connector | USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | micro HDMI |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | Wifi built-in |
Body Specs | Leica TL2 | Leica TL |
Battery Type | Leica BP-DC13 | Leica BP-DC13 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 250 shots per charge | 400 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
134 x 69 x 33 mm (5.3 x 2.7 x 1.3 in) |
134 x 69 x 33 mm (5.3 x 2.7 x 1.3 in) |
Camera Weight | 399 g (14.1 oz) | 384 g (13.5 oz) |
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