Nikon D800 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Nikon D800 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Nikon D800 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D800.

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.

Succeeded by the Nikon D810
Compare D800 vs D810

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

Compare NIKON D810 vs LEICA SL2

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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

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.
D800 test data on DxO Mark SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark

2,853 vs 1,821 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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

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
Newer
9 years vs 13 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
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

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Buy the Nikon D800

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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

$3999
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

$3999
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

$2997
35mm

Longer stills battery life
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Nikon D800 vs Nikon D810

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon D810

$3999
35mm

Focus peaking
Bigger pixels

$2997
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)

$3999
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

$2995
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D800 vs 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

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