Canon 5D Mark IV vs Leica SL2

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Canon 5D Mark IV vs Leica SL2

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35mm 864.0mm²
30.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 32,000

Go in depth with our full Canon 5D Mark IV Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 5D Mark IV in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 5D Mark IV.
Compare Canon 5D Mark IV image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 5D Mark IV conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Leica SL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.

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Differences

Canon 5D Mark IV advantages over Leica SL2

Bigger pixels
~ 5.36 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

900 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL2 advantages over Canon 5D Mark IV

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Slower slow-motion
180 fps vs 120 fps
Supports slower slow-mo
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
42 mm vs 75 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 8 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.71x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
47.3 vs 30.4 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 7.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
78 vs 19 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/40000 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Kit with 24-105mm Lens
Kit with 24-70mm Lens

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Review Excerpt

Superb image quality from RAW files; Improved dynamic range; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 7fps burst rate with unlimited JPEG buffer; High-quality cinema 4K video; Built-in Wi-Fi; Dual Pixel CMOS AF is very good.
JPEG files look soft at default settings; 1/200s flash sync; 4K video codec is cumbersome; 29:59 continuous video recording limit.
Read our Canon 5D Mark IV Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Leica SL2, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Leica SL2 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark III

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Canon 5D Mark III

Leica SL2

Canon 5D Mark III

$5245
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2079
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D810

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$2246
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon D810

Leica SL2

Nikon D810

$5245
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2246
35mm

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Pentax K-1

Leica SL2

Pentax K-1

$5245
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1800
35mm

Tiltable Screen
Built-in GPS

Compare Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-1

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II

$2099
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Pentax K-1 II

Leica SL2

Pentax K-1 II

$5245
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Nikon Z7

Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon Z7

$2099
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2147
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5D Mark IV vs Nikon Z7

Leica SL2

Nikon Z7

$5245
35mm

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$2147
35mm

Tiltable Screen
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon Z7

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