Leica SL2 vs Nikon D90
The Leica SL2 and the Nikon D90 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2019 and August 2008. The Leica SL2 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D90 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a full frame (Leica SL2) and an APS-C (D90) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 46.7 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 12.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Check Leica SL2 price at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL2 and the Nikon D90? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica SL2 and the Nikon D90 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D90 is notably smaller (13 percent) than the Leica SL2. Moreover, the D90 is markedly lighter (26 percent) than the Leica SL2. It is worth mentioning in this context that the Leica SL2 is splash and dust resistant, while the D90 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.
Concerning battery life, the Leica SL2 gets 370 shots out of its Leica BP-SCL4 battery, while the D90 can take 850 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL3e power pack. The power pack in the Leica SL2 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica SL2 | 146 mm | 107 mm | 42 mm | 953 g | 370 | Y | Nov 2019 | EUR 5 999 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Nikon D90 | 132 mm | 103 mm | 77 mm | 703 g | 850 | n | Aug 2008 | EUR 1 189 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | 146 mm | 108 mm | 74 mm | 822 g | 750 | n | Aug 2007 | EUR 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Leica Q2 | 130 mm | 80 mm | 92 mm | 718 g | 370 | Y | Mar 2019 | EUR 4 799 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Leica SL | 147 mm | 104 mm | 39 mm | 847 g | 400 | Y | Oct 2015 | EUR 6 899 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Leica SL2-S | 146 mm | 107 mm | 83 mm | 931 g | 510 | Y | Dec 2020 | EUR 4 499 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Leica SL3 | 141 mm | 108 mm | 85 mm | 854 g | 320 | Y | Mar 2024 | EUR 6 799 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Leica SL3-S | 141 mm | 108 mm | 85 mm | 852 g | 315 | Y | Jan 2025 | EUR 5 199 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | 132 mm | 103 mm | 77 mm | 668 g | 600 | n | Aug 2006 | EUR 969 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | 126 mm | 97 mm | 64 mm | 536 g | 500 | n | Jul 2009 | EUR 539 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | 127 mm | 104 mm | 80 mm | 590 g | 510 | n | Apr 2009 | EUR 699 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | 132 mm | 105 mm | 77 mm | 780 g | 1050 | Y | Sep 2010 | EUR 1 399 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1 | 149 mm | 110 mm | 97 mm | 1017 g | 400 | Y | Feb 2019 | EUR 2 499 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Panasonic S1H | 151 mm | 114 mm | 110 mm | 1052 g | 400 | Y | May 2019 | EUR 3 999 | amazon.com | |
| 15. | Panasonic S1R | 149 mm | 110 mm | 97 mm | 1016 g | 380 | Y | Feb 2019 | EUR 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Panasonic S1R II | 134 mm | 102 mm | 92 mm | 795 g | 350 | Y | May 2025 | EUR 3 599 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Sony A99 II | 143 mm | 104 mm | 76 mm | 849 g | 490 | Y | Sep 2016 | EUR 3 599 | ebay.com | |
| Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The D90 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 78 percent) than the Leica SL2, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.
Sensor comparison
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica SL2 features a full frame sensor and the Nikon D90 an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the D90 is 57 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 1.5. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 46.7MP, the Leica SL2 offers a higher resolution than the D90 (12.2MP), but the Leica SL2 has smaller individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.30μm versus 5.53μm for the D90). However, the Leica SL2 is a much more recent model (by 11 years and 2 months) than the D90, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the Leica SL2 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Leica SL2 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Leica SL2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.8 x 27.9 inches or 106.3 x 70.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33.5 x 22.3 inches or 85 x 56.7 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.9 x 18.6 inches or 70.8 x 47.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D90 are 21.4 x 14.2 inches or 54.5 x 36.2 cm for good quality, 17.2 x 11.4 inches or 43.6 x 28.9 cm for very good quality, and 14.3 x 9.5 inches or 36.3 x 24.1 cm for excellent quality prints.
Unlike the D90, the Leica SL2 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (187MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).
The Leica SL2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000, which can be extended to ISO 50-50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D90 are ISO 200 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 200-6400.
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica SL2 | Full Frame | 46.7 | 8368 | 5584 | 4K/60p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 2866 | 95 | |
| 2. | Nikon D90 | APS-C | 12.2 | 4288 | 2848 | 720/24p | 22.7 | 12.5 | 977 | 73 | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | APS-C | 10.1 | 3888 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.3 | 703 | 64 | |
| 4. | Leica Q2 | Full Frame | 46.7 | 8368 | 5584 | 4K/30p | 26.4 | 13.5 | 2491 | 96 | |
| 5. | Leica SL | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 13.4 | 1821 | 88 | |
| 6. | Leica SL2-S | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/60p | 25.2 | 14.1 | 3504 | 95 | |
| 7. | Leica SL3 | Full Frame | 60.3 | 9520 | 6336 | 8K/30p | 25.4 | 14.8 | 3295 | 97 | |
| 8. | Leica SL3-S | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 6K/30p | 25.4 | 14.8 | 3383 | 97 | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.1 | 11.2 | 524 | 61 | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | APS-C | 10.0 | 3872 | 2592 | none | 22.3 | 11.1 | 563 | 62 | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | APS-C | 12.2 | 4288 | 2848 | 720/24p | 22.7 | 12.5 | 868 | 72 | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/24p | 23.5 | 13.9 | 1167 | 80 | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/60p | 25.2 | 14.5 | 3333 | 95 | |
| 14. | Panasonic S1H | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 6K/30p | 25.2 | 14.2 | 2805 | 94 | |
| 15. | Panasonic S1R | Full Frame | 46.7 | 8368 | 5584 | 4K/60p | 26.4 | 14.1 | 3525 | 100 | |
| 16. | Panasonic S1R II | Full Frame | 44.2 | 8144 | 5424 | 8K/30p | 25.4 | 14.8 | 3406 | 97 | |
| 17. | Sony A99 II | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 4K/30p | 25.4 | 13.4 | 2317 | 92 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the Leica SL2 provides a higher video resolution than the D90. It can shoot video footage at 4K/60p, while the Nikon is limited to 720/24p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the Leica SL2 has an electronic viewfinder (5760k dots), while the D90 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the Leica SL2 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the D90 (96%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the Leica SL2 has a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.63x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica SL2, the Nikon D90, and comparable cameras.

| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica SL2 | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 2. | Nikon D90 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.5/s | Y | n | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | optical | Y | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.5/s | Y | n | |
| 4. | Leica Q2 | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 5. | Leica SL | 4400 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
| 6. | Leica SL2-S | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 20.0/s | n | Y | |
| 7. | Leica SL3 | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2333 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | Y | |
| 8. | Leica SL3-S | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2333 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 30.0/s | n | Y | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | optical | n | 3.0 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | optical | n | 2.7 / 230 | full-flex | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | optical | Y | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1 | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
| 14. | Panasonic S1H | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2330 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
| 15. | Panasonic S1R | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
| 16. | Panasonic S1R II | 5760 | n | 3.2 / 1840 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
| 17. | Sony A99 II | 2400 | Y | 3.0 / 1229 | full-flex | n | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
| Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. | |||||||||||
One feature that differentiates the Leica SL2 and the D90 is in-body image stabilization (IBIS). The Leica SL2 reduces the risk of handshake-induced blur with all attached lenses, while the D90 offers no blur reduction with lenses that themselves do not provide optical image stabilization.
The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the Leica SL2 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The Leica SL2 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The Leica SL2 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D90 uses SDHC cards. The Leica SL2 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D90 only has one slot. The Leica SL2 supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the D90 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica SL2 and Nikon D90 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica SL2 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 2. | Nikon D90 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 4. | Leica Q2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | - | Y | - | Y | |
| 5. | Leica SL | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 6. | Leica SL2-S | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 7. | Leica SL3 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 8. | Leica SL3-S | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | Y | mono / mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 14. | Panasonic S1H | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 15. | Panasonic S1R | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
| 16. | Panasonic S1R II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 17. | Sony A99 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y |
It is notable that the Leica SL2 has a microphone port, which is missing on the D90. Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica SL2 (unlike the D90) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
The Leica SL2 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Leica. In contrast, the D90 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D90 was succeeded by the Nikon D7000. Further information on the features and operation of the Leica SL2 and D90 can be found, respectively, in the Leica SL2 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D90 Manual.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Is the Leica SL2 better than the Nikon D90 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Reasons to prefer the Leica SL2:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (46.7 vs 12.2MP) with a 95% higher linear resolution.
- Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
- High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
- Better image quality: Features a larger and more technologically advanced imaging sensor.
- Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/60p vs 720/24p).
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
- More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 96%).
- Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.78x vs 0.63x).
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 920k dots).
- Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 4.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
- Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
- More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
- Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.1 vs 2.0).
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards on both slots.
- More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
- More modern: Reflects 11 years and 2 months of technical progress since the D90 launch.

Arguments in favor of the Nikon D90:
- Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
- Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
- More compact: Is smaller (132x103mm vs 146x107mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 250g or 26 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (850 versus 370) out of a single battery charge.
- Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
- More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (78 percent cheaper at launch).
- More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2008).
If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Leica SL2 is the clear winner of the match-up (33 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica SL2 and the Nikon D90 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Leica SL2 or the D90. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica SL2 | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Nov 2019 | EUR 5 999 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Nikon D90 | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2008 | EUR 1 189 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Canon 40D | .. | + + | .. | + + | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2007 | EUR 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Leica Q2 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2019 | EUR 4 799 | amazon.com | |
| 5. | Leica SL | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | EUR 6 899 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Leica SL2-S | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Dec 2020 | EUR 4 499 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Leica SL3 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | Mar 2024 | EUR 6 799 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Leica SL3-S | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jan 2025 | EUR 5 199 | amazon.com | |
| 9. | Nikon D80 | .. | + | .. | + + | o | 4.5/5 | Aug 2006 | EUR 969 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Nikon D3000 | .. | + | .. | 72/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2009 | EUR 539 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon D5000 | .. | + + | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2009 | EUR 699 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Nikon D7000 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2010 | EUR 1 399 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Panasonic S1 | 4.5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 88/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Feb 2019 | EUR 2 499 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Panasonic S1H | .. | .. | 4/5 | 90/100 | .. | .. | May 2019 | EUR 3 999 | amazon.com | |
| 15. | Panasonic S1R | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.6/5 | 89/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2019 | EUR 3 699 | ebay.com | |
| 16. | Panasonic S1R II | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | May 2025 | EUR 3 599 | amazon.com | |
| 17. | Sony A99 II | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | EUR 3 599 | ebay.com | |
| Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||||
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

Check Leica SL2 price at
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Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Specifications: Leica SL2 vs Nikon D90
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
| Camera Model | Leica SL2 | Nikon D90 |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Digital single lens reflex |
| Camera Lens | Leica L mount lenses | Nikon F mount lenses |
| Launch Date | November 2019 | August 2008 |
| Launch Price | USD 5,999 | USD 1,299 |
| Sensor Specs | Leica SL2 | Nikon D90 |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | APS-C Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 36.0 x 24.0 mm | 23.6 x 15.8 mm |
| Sensor Area | 864 mm2 | 372.88 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 43.3 mm | 28.4 mm |
| Crop Factor | 1.0x | 1.5x |
| Sensor Resolution | 46.7 Megapixels | 12.2 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 8368 x 5584 pixels | 4288 x 2848 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 4.30 μm | 5.53 μm |
| Pixel Density | 5.41 MP/cm2 | 3.28 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | Anti-Alias filter |
| Movie Capability | 4K/60p Video | 720/24p Video |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 50,000 ISO | 200 - 3,200 ISO |
| ISO Boost | 50 - 50,000 ISO | 200 - 6,400 ISO |
| Image Processor | Maestro III | EXPEED |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | .. | 73 |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | .. | 22.7 |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | .. | 12.5 |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | .. | 977 |
| Screen Specs | Leica SL2 | Nikon D90 |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | Optical viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | 96% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.63x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 5760k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | Control Panel |
| LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
| Rear LCD Size | 3.2inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Resolution | 2100k dots | 920k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
| Touch Input | Touchscreen | no Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Leica SL2 | Nikon D90 |
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | Phase-detect AF |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | no Peaking Feature |
| Continuous Shooting | 10 shutter flaps/s | 4.5 shutter flaps/s |
| Shutter Life Expectancy | 400 000 actuations | 100 000 actuations |
| Electronic Shutter | up to 1/40000s | no E-Shutter |
| Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | no Intervalometer |
| Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | Lens stabilization only |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | SDHC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Single card slot |
| UHS card support | Dual UHS-II | no |
| Connectivity Specs | Leica SL2 | Nikon D90 |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | no PC Sync |
| USB Connector | USB 3.1 | USB 2.0 |
| HDMI Port | full HDMI | mini HDMI |
| Microphone Port | External MIC port | no MIC socket |
| Headphone Socket | Headphone port | no Headphone port |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | no Wifi |
| Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | no Bluetooth |
| Body Specs | Leica SL2 | Nikon D90 |
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | not weather sealed |
| Battery Type | Leica BP-SCL4 | Nikon EN-EL3e |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 370 shots per charge | 850 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | USB charging | no USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
146 x 107 x 42 mm (5.7 x 4.2 x 1.7 in) |
132 x 103 x 77 mm (5.2 x 4.1 x 3.0 in) |
| Camera Weight | 953 g (33.6 oz) | 703 g (24.8 oz) |

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