Leica SL Typ 601 vs Samsung GX-20

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica SL Typ 601 and the Samsung GX-20, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Leica SL Typ 601 was introduced in October 2015 and Samsung GX-20 was introduced in January 2008. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica SL Typ 601 over Samsung GX-20.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Samsung GX-20 over Leica SL Typ 601.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Leica SL Typ 601 has a 3.0" screen with 1,040k dot resolution and Samsung GX-20 has a 2.7" screen with 230k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Leica SL Typ 601 also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Viewfinder

Leica SL Typ 601 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 4,400k dot resolution and Samsung GX-20 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Leica SL Typ 601 has 100% coverage with 0.80x magnification and Samsung GX-20 has 95% coverage with 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Leica SL Typ 601 features a 24 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm². Its native ISO range is 50 - 50,000. Samsung GX-20 features a 15.1 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.4 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200 and expands to 100 - 6,400 in boosted mode.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Leica SL Typ 601 is equipped with Maestro II processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution. Samsung GX-20 can take pictures up to 4688 x 3120 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4672 x 3120, 3872 x 2592, 3008 x 2000, 1824 x 1216 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Leica SL Typ 601 has Leica L lens mount and Samsung GX-20 has Pentax K_AF2 lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Leica SL Typ 601 its crop factor is equal to 1x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length. Due to APS-C sensor in Samsung GX-20 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Low-Pass Filter on Leica SL Typ 601

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Leica SL Typ 601. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Leica SL Typ 601 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Samsung GX-20 nothing can be done. On Samsung GX-20 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica SL Typ 601 nothing can be done.

Built-in GPS on Leica SL Typ 601

Leica SL Typ 601 has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Leica SL Typ 601

Leica SL Typ 601 has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Leica SL Typ 601 comes with BP-SCL4 battery pack with battery life of 400 shots.

External Storage Slots

Leica SL Typ 601 has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) and one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I). Samsung GX-20 has a single SD/SDHC/MMC card slot.

Shutter

Samsung GX-20 has Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Leica SL Typ 601, and up to 1/4000 sec on Samsung GX-20. Leica SL Typ 601 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps. Samsung GX-20 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.

Flash

Samsung GX-20 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. Leica SL Typ 601 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Leica SL Typ 601 and 1/180 sec on Samsung GX-20.

Leica SL Typ 601 body has dimensions of 147 x 104 x 39 mm (5.79 x 4.09 x 1.54") and Samsung GX-20 body has dimensions of 142 x 101 x 72 mm (5.59 x 3.98 x 2.83"). Leica SL Typ 601 weighs 847 g (1.87 lb / 29.88 oz) and Samsung GX-20 weighs 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz).

Leica SL Typ 601

Samsung GX-20

147 mm

104 mm

142 mm

101 mm

104 mm

101 mm

39 mm

72 mm