Samsung NX1 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Samsung NX1 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leave Feedback

APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX1.
Compare Samsung NX1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX1 conclusion.

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 Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2
Compare Samsung NX1 vs Leica SL2

Buy From

Differences

Samsung NX1 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

500 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More pixels
28.2 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 10.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
15.1 fps vs 10.5 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Samsung NX1

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark NX1 test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 1,363 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Thinner
39 mm vs 65 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.69x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 53 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 22 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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 Image Stabilization
Neither provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Samsung NX1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S Lens
Kit with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ Lens

All NX1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)

Body Only

All SL (Typ 601) Deals

Review Excerpt

Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.
Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.
Read our Samsung NX1 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 Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Samsung NX1

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$1797
APS-C

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Samsung NX1 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 Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T2

$1797
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Thinner

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Fujifilm X-T2

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Sony A9

Samsung NX1

Sony A9

$1797
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Fast startup

$2997
35mm

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Samsung NX1 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

Compared to Fujifilm X-H1

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-H1

$1797
APS-C

NFC
Longer stills battery life

$1199
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-H1

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Fujifilm X-H1

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1199
APS-C

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Fujifilm X-H1

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T3

$1797
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Newer

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Fujifilm X-T3

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1299
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Fujifilm X-T3

Compare Other Cameras?