Canon 1DX vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Canon 1DX vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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35mm 864.0mm²
18.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Canon 1DX Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 1DX.

35mm 864.0mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon 1DX Mark II
Compare 1DX vs 1DX Mark II

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2

Compare CANON 1DX MARK II vs LEICA SL2

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Differences

Canon 1DX advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Bigger pixels
~ 6.94 vs 6.00 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
1DX test data on DxO Mark SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark

2,786 vs 1,821 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1120 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 10.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 10.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Canon 1DX

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark 1DX test data on DxO Mark

13.4 vs 11.8 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
39 mm vs 82 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
847g vs 1551g
Lighter weight
More pixels
24.2 vs 18.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 56 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Top deck display
Both provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Read 1DX User Reviews

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Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Canon 1DX.
Read our Canon 1DX Initial Test

Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.
Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.
Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D4

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$4500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon D4

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$4500
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D4

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Canon 1DX

Canon EOS-1D C

$5299
35mm

Less expensive

$6989
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Headphone jack

Compare Canon 1DX vs Canon EOS-1D C

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Canon EOS-1D C

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Canon 1DX

Nikon D4S

$5299
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 1DX vs Nikon D4S

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon D4S

$3802
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$5399
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Canon 1DX

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$5299
35mm

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Thinner
Newer

Compare Canon 1DX vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3802
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Canon 1DX

Sony A9

$5299
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

$2997
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 1DX vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

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