Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D850

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Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D850

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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.

35mm 858.0mm²
45.7 megapixels
ISO 64 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D850 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D850.
Compare Nikon D850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D850 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2
Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon D850

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Nikon D850

Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
39 mm vs 78 mm
Thinner
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 200 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon D850 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$2197 vs $3999
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
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.
D850 test data on DxO Mark SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark

2,660 vs 1,821 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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.
D850 test data on DxO Mark SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark

14.8 vs 13.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
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

1840 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
More dots on screen
2359k vs 1040k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Bigger RAW buffer
200 vs 33 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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 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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D850 User Reviews

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Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)

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All SL (Typ 601) Deals

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Buy the Nikon D850

Body Only

Body Only
Filmmaker's Kit

All D850 Deals

Review Excerpt

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

Class-leading resolution; Excellent dynamic range; Very good high ISO performance; Very fast AF and burst shooting; Durable weather-sealed body; Improved ergonomics; Touchscreen; Dual card slots; 4K video.
Live view/video mode still uses sluggish contrast-detect AF; Viewfinder only tests at ~98% coverage; No 4K at 60p; 30-minute video clip limit; Focus peaking not supported with 4K.
Read our Nikon D850 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$3999
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$7595
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Nikon D850

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7595
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Nikon D850 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3999
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

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

Nikon D850

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$2464
35mm

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Nikon D850 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A99 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A99 II

$3999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

$3198
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A99 II

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3999
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Nikon D850

Sony A9

$2464
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$2995
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon D850 vs Sony A9

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Pentax K-1 II

$3999
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II

$2464
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D850 vs Pentax K-1 II

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