Nikon D5 vs Leica SL2

Cameras
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Nikon D5 vs Leica SL2

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35mm 858.0mm²
20.8 megapixels
ISO 100 - 102,400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5.
Compare Nikon D5 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5 conclusion.

35mm 864.0mm²
47.3 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SL2.

Succeeded by the Nikon D6
Compare D5 vs D6
Compare Nikon D6 vs Leica SL2

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Differences

Nikon D5 advantages over Leica SL2

Less expensive
$3325 vs $4085
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 6.45 vs 4.30 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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

3780 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 100 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
183 vs 78 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
3276800 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL2 advantages over Nikon D5

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
High resolution composite
Yes vs No
Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Thinner
42 mm vs 92 mm
Thinner
Newer
5 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
928g vs 1415g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.72x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
47.3 vs 20.8 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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
20.0 fps vs 12.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 12.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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

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
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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 D5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read SL2 User Reviews

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Buy the Nikon D5

Body Only (CF Version)

Body Only (CF Version)
Body Only (XQD Version)
Body Only 100th Anniversary Edition (XQD)

All D5 Deals

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Buy the Leica SL2

Body Only

All SL2 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent image quality; Excellent high ISO performance; Fast 153-point autofocus system; Fast continuous shooting speeds; 4K video recording; Pro-quality camera body; Outstanding battery life.
Large and heavy body might not be right for all; Loud shutter; Underutilized touchscreen; Low ISO dynamic range not as good as predecessor; Extended high ISOs not very useful; Sluggish Live View AF.
Read our Nikon D5 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Leica SL2, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Leica SL2 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon EOS-1D C

Nikon D5

Canon EOS-1D C

$4911
35mm

Touchscreen
More cross-type AF points

$6989
35mm

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Leica SL2

Canon EOS-1D C

$5625
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6989
35mm

Bigger pixels
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon EOS-1D C

Compared to Nikon D4S

Nikon D5

Nikon D4S

$4911
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$5399
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon D5 vs Nikon D4S

Leica SL2

Nikon D4S

$5625
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$5399
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

Compare Leica SL2 vs Nikon D4S

Compared to Canon 1DX Mark II

Nikon D5

Canon 1DX Mark II

$4911
35mm

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$2999
35mm

Higher effective ISO
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D5 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Leica SL2

Canon 1DX Mark II

$5625
35mm

Focus peaking
Slower slow-motion

$2999
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica SL2 vs Canon 1DX Mark II

Compared to Leica M10-R

Nikon D5

Leica M10-R

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Shoot 4K video

$8295
35mm

Focus peaking
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Nikon D5 vs Leica M10-R

Leica SL2

Leica M10-R

$5625
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$8295
35mm

Bigger pixels
Lighter weight

Compare Leica SL2 vs Leica M10-R

Compared to Sony A1

Nikon D5

Sony A1

$4911
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$6498
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5 vs Sony A1

Leica SL2

Sony A1

$5625
35mm

Less expensive
High resolution composite

$6498
35mm

Slower slow-motion
Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL2 vs Sony A1

Compare Other Cameras?