• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000

Buy From

Differences

Canon EOS M advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Canon EOS M

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.30 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Fast startup
    ~1.10 vs 2.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 22.1 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,821 vs 827 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.4 vs 11.2 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.74 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 18.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.6 fps vs 4.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 13 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.5 fps vs 4.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 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

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality similar to Rebel T4i, T5i and SL1 DSLRs, with 18-megapixel APS-C-type sensor delivering considerable resolution for a mirrorless camera; Solid build and sleek design; Bright, high-resolution 3-inch LCD touchscreen monitor; Full 1080p HD video recording that's virtually silent with an STM lens.

  • Barely acceptable autofocus speed still lags far behind most mirrorless cameras despite firmware update fix; Limited physical controls and buttons, including no Program, Priority, or Manual on Mode dial; Lacks built-in flash or electronic viewfinder option; Only two compact EF-M mount lenses currently available.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-C3

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-C3
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony NEX-C3
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $559
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5N

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5N
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony NEX-5N
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony NEX-5R

Canon EOS M
Sony NEX-5R
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • External Mic Jack
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony NEX-5R
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Canon EOS M
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Less expensive
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm

Compared to Sony A9

Canon EOS M
Sony A9
  • $600
  • APS-C
  • Thinner
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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