Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon Z7

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Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon Z7

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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 Z7 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z7.
Compare Nikon Z7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z7 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Nikon Z7 II
Compare Z7 vs Z7 II

Compare LEICA SL2 vs NIKON Z7 II

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Nikon Z7

Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.35 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.10 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
39 mm vs 67 mm
Thinner
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 fps vs 9.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 26 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 9.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 23 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z7 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$3097 vs $3605*
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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.
Z7 test data on DxO Mark SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark

2,668 vs 1,821 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
6 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1040k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More pixels
45.7 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
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
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z7 User Reviews

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Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Buy the Nikon Z7

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens and FTZ adapter

All Z7 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

Familiar design in a compact form; Rugged build quality; Gorgeous EVF; Excellent image quality; Good autofocus; In-body image stabilization; Good 4K video recording.
Single card slot; Not as good at subject tracking as some Nikon DSLR cameras; Limited native lens selection (although adapter works well); Limited buffer depths.
Read our Nikon Z7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$3802
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$7595
35mm

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

Nikon Z7

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$2147
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$7595
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3802
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

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

Nikon Z7

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$2147
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Nikon Z7

Sony A9

$2147
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$2995
35mm

Bigger pixels
NFC

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Sony A9

Compared to Nikon Z6

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon Z6

$3802
35mm

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon Z6

Nikon Z7

Nikon Z6

$2147
35mm

More pixels
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Canon EOS R

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Canon EOS R

$3802
35mm

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z7

Canon EOS R

$2147
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z7 vs Canon EOS R

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