• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000

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Differences

Nikon D800 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,853 vs 1,821 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • More pixels
    36.3 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Nikon D800

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.88 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    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
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 81 mm
    Thinner
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
    10.6 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 54 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    33 vs 18 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance

User reviews

Buy From

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Buy the Nikon D800

Your purchases support this site

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

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged build; Excellent controls; Extremely high resolution; Dual cards; Surprising high ISO performance.

  • Very large files; Slower frame rate; Custom white balance gives a greenish tint; Battery life lower than D700.

  • Read our Nikon D800 Review

  • 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 Canon 5D Mark III

Nikon D800
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D800 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D800E

Nikon D800
Nikon D800E
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Nikon D800E
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2212
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D800E

Compared to Nikon D810

Nikon D800
Nikon D810
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Nikon D810
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2246
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon D810

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Nikon D800
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Nikon D800 vs 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)

Compared to Sony A9

Nikon D800
Sony A9
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D800 vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Compare Other Cameras?