Canon 5D Mark II vs Leica CL

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Canon 5D Mark II vs Leica CL

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35mm 864.0mm²
21.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark II Review.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark II.

APS-C 370.5mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica CL Review.

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark II advantages over Leica CL

Less expensive
$2999 vs $6995
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.41 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

850 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 27 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Leica CL advantages over Canon 5D Mark II

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
45 mm vs 75 mm
Thinner
Newer
7 years vs 16 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
483g vs 1588g
Lighter weight
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
140 vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 3.9 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/25000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
50000 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
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
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read CL User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 5D Mark II

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm f/4 lens

All 5D Mark II Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Kit with 18-56mm lens (Black)
Kit with 18mm lens (Black)

All CL Deals

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon 5D Mark II Full Review

We haven’t reviewed the Leica CL.
Read our Leica CL Preview

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D3X

$1200
35mm

Shoots 1080p video
Bigger JPEG buffer

$2500
35mm

Fast startup
More dynamic range

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D3X

Leica CL

Nikon D3X

$3195
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica CL vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 5D Mark II

Nikon D600

$1200
35mm

More telephoto lens reach
Bigger JPEG buffer

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Nikon D600

Leica CL

Nikon D600

$3195
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica CL vs Nikon D600

Compared to Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 6D

$1200
35mm

Less shutter lag
More AF points

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Canon 6D

Leica CL

Canon 6D

$3195
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Leica CL vs Canon 6D

Compared to Sony A6500

Canon 5D Mark II

Sony A6500

$1200
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1198
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Sony A6500

Leica CL

Sony A6500

$3195
APS-C

Top deck display
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1198
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica CL vs Sony A6500

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Canon 5D Mark II

Fujifilm X-Pro3

$1200
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1799
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 5D Mark II vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

Leica CL

Fujifilm X-Pro3

$3195
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
More viewfinder magnification

$1799
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica CL vs Fujifilm X-Pro3

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