• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Nikon Z fc

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.22 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 20.9 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z fc advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Less expensive
    $1097 vs $3999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Newer
    3 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    390g vs 847g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    900 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)
Body Only
All SL (Typ 601) Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z fc
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28mm f/2.8 (SE) Lens
  • Kit with DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Lens
All Z fc 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

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 Z fc
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z fc 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 Z fc
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

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 Z fc
Sony A9
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Sony A9

Compared to Fujifilm X-T200

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Fujifilm X-T200

Nikon Z fc
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Fujifilm X-T200

Compared to Nikon Z 30

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Nikon Z 30
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon Z 30

Nikon Z fc
Nikon Z 30
  • $957
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Thinner
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z fc vs Nikon Z 30

Compare Other Cameras?