Leica SL Typ 601 vs Sigma fp L

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica SL Typ 601 and the Sigma fp L, 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 Sigma fp L was introduced in March 2021. 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 Sigma fp L.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sigma fp L 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 Sigma fp L has a 3.15" screen with 2,100k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Both models feature 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. It has a 100% coverage and 0.80x magnification.Sigma fp L does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

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. Sigma fp L features a 61 megapixel Full Frame BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 25,600 and expands to 6 - 102,400 in boosted mode.

Sigma fp L has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

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. Sigma fp L can take pictures up to 9520 x 6328 resolution.

Lens Mount

Cameras have Leica L lens mount. Due to their Full Frame sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.

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 Sigma fp L nothing can be done. On Sigma fp L 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

Cameras have built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz on Leica SL Typ 601) 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 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Leica SL Typ 601 has an HDMI and Sigma fp L has a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Leica SL Typ 601 comes with BP-SCL4 battery pack with battery life of 400 shots and Sigma fp L comes with BP-51 battery pack with battery life of 240 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). Sigma fp L has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) card slot.

Shutter

Sigma fp L has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Leica SL Typ 601, and up to 1/8000 sec on Sigma fp L. Leica SL Typ 601 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps. Sigma fp L can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Focusing

Leica SL Typ 601 has 49 focusing points and Sigma fp L has 49 focusing points. Sigma fp L has detection range from -5 to +18 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Sigma fp L ranges from -5 to +18 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±3 EV range on Leica SL Typ 601 and ±5 EV range on Sigma fp L. You can also do exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica SL Typ 601 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Sigma fp L.

Flash

Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal to Leica SL Typ 601 and via Hot Shoe to Sigma fp L. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Leica SL Typ 601 and 1/15 sec on Sigma fp L.

Leica SL Typ 601 body has dimensions of 147 x 104 x 39 mm (5.79 x 4.09 x 1.54") and Sigma fp L body has dimensions of 113 x 70 x 45 mm (4.45 x 2.76 x 1.77"). Leica SL Typ 601 weighs 847 g (1.87 lb / 29.88 oz) and Sigma fp L weighs 427 g (0.94 lb / 15.06 oz).

Leica SL Typ 601

Sigma fp L

147 mm

104 mm

113 mm

70 mm

104 mm

70 mm

39 mm

45 mm