• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000
  • APS-C 364.3mm2
  • 19.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sigma sd Quattro

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 90 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.73x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 19.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.5 fps vs 3.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 14 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 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sigma sd Quattro advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Less expensive
    $899 vs $3999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Lighter weight
    625g vs 847g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré

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
  • 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

  • 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 A3000

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A3000
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Internal flash
Sigma sd Quattro
Sony A3000
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas

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
Sigma sd Quattro
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
Sigma sd Quattro
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Sigma sd Quattro
Sony A9
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Fujifilm X-H1

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $3999
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sigma sd Quattro
Fujifilm X-H1
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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