Leica SL2 vs Samsung NX100

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      Overview

      In this comparison, we will evaluate the Leica SL2 and the Samsung NX100, 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 SL2 was introduced in November 2019 and Samsung NX100 was introduced in September 2010. Let us first list highlights of the models.

      Leica SL2 Highlights

      • 47.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
      • No Optical Low-pass Filter
      • 100 - 50,000 Native ISO
      • 225 Focus Points
      • 5-Axis Image Stabilization
      • 3.2" 2,100k dot Fixed Screen
      • 5,760k dot Electronic (OLED) Viewfinder
      • 20.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 4992 x 3744 Video Shooting
      • 30 min Video Recording Limit
      • Built-In Wi-Fi
      • Wheather Sealed Body

      Samsung NX100 Highlights

      • 15 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
      • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
      • 15 Focus Points (15 Cross-type)
      • 3.0" 614k dot Fixed Screen
      • 3.0 fps Continuous Shooting
      • 1280 x 720 Video Shooting

      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.

      Pros and Cons

      In this section we present pros and cons of Leica SL2 and Samsung NX100.

      PROS

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      •   Video Capture
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 47.3 Megapixel
      •   225 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 5,760k dot
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/40000 sec
      •   High Max Continuous Shooting - 20.0 fps
      •   High Video Resolution - 4992 x 3744
      •   High USB Speed
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   USB Charging
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      •   Video Capture
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      •   Digital Image Stabilization
      •   HDMI Output
      •   Light - 282 g (0.62 lb / 9.95 oz)
      •   Orientation Sensor

      CONS

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      •   Expensive
      •   50,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 420 shots


      And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

      AVERAGE

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Weight - 916 g (2.02 lb / 32.31 oz)
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   DxO Overall Score - 62

      Advantage of Leica SL2

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica SL2 over Samsung NX100.

      Leica SL2 vs Samsung NX100
      Larger Sensor Full Frame vs APS-C
      Higher Sensor Resolution 47.3 Megapixel vs 15 Megapixel
      Max Image Resolution 8368 x 5584 vs 4592 x 3056
      Timelapse Recording vs
      More Focus Points 225 vs 15
      Touch-to-Focus vs
      Center Autofocus vs
      Tracking Autofocus vs
      Image Stabilization 5-Axis Sensor Shift vs
      Touch Screen vs
      Larger Screen 3.2" vs 3.0"
      Higher Resolution Screen 2,100k dot vs 614k dot
      Top LCD Screen vs
      Lower Min Shutter Speed 1800 sec vs 30 sec
      Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
      Higher Max Continuous Shooting 20.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
      Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec vs 1/180 sec
      Average Metering vs
      Higher Video Resolution 4992 x 3744 vs 1280 x 720
      Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
      Built-in Microphone Stereo vs Mono
      Microphone Input vs
      Headphone Output vs
      Built-In Wi-Fi vs
      Built-In Bluetooth vs
      Environmental Sealing vs
      More Storage Slots 2 vs 1

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Leica SL2.

      Advantage of Samsung NX100

      This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Samsung NX100 over Leica SL2.

      Leica SL2 vs Samsung NX100
      Higher Native ISO 50,000 vs 6,400
      Digital Image Stabilization vs
      Lighter 916 g (2.02 lb / 32.31 oz) vs 282 g (0.62 lb / 9.95 oz)
      Longer Battery Life 370 shots vs 420 shots

      Check out other cameras which are frequently compared to Samsung NX100.

      Common Strengths and Weaknesses

      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.

      STRENGTHS Leica SL2 Samsung NX100
        Video Capture
        Face Detection
        Live View Autofocus
        Orientation Sensor
      WEAKNESSES Leica SL2 Samsung NX100
        Screen TypeFixedFixed
        No Built-in GPS
        Short Battery Life370 shots420 shots

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Screen

      Leica SL2 has a 3.2" screen with 2,100k dot resolution and Samsung NX100 has a 3.0" screen with 614k dot resolution. Both have Fixed screens. Leica SL2 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 SL2 has a built-in Electronic (OLED) viewfinder with 5,760k dot resolution. It has a 100% coverage and 0.78x magnification.Samsung NX100 does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

      Sensor

      Leica SL2 features a 47.3 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 864 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 50,000 and expands to 50 - 50,000 in boosted mode. Samsung NX100 features a 15 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 - 6,400.


      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
      Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
      Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
      Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
      Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
      Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
      Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

      Photography Features

      Leica SL2 is equipped with Maestro III processor and can take pictures up to 8368 x 5584 resolution. Samsung NX100 is equipped with DRIMe Engine processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2584, 3872 x 2592, 3872 x 2176, 3008 x 2000, 3008 x 1688, 1920 x 1280, 1920 x 1080, 1472 x 976 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


      Lens Mount

      Leica SL2 has Leica L lens mount and Samsung NX100 has Samsung NX lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor in Leica SL2 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 NX100 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 SL2

      There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Leica SL2. 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.


      In-Body Image Stabilization on Leica SL2

      Leica SL2 has a built-in 5-Axis Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS) with 5.5 stops of compensation. This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

      Connectivity, Battery and Storage

      Built-in Wi-Fi on Leica SL2

      Leica SL2 has a built-in Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ac/b/g/n, 2.4/5 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.


      Bluetooth on Leica SL2

      Leica SL2 has a built-in Bluetooth (version 4.2) which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
        Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.


      USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

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


      Battery

      Leica SL2 comes with BP-SCL4 battery pack with battery life of 370 shots and Samsung NX100 comes with BP1130 battery pack with battery life of 420 shots.


      External Storage Slots

      Leica SL2 has Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) card slots. Samsung NX100 has a single SD/SDHC card slot.

      Other Features

      Shutter

      Leica SL2 has Electronic shutter and Mechanical Focal Plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/40000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/8000 sec with mechanical shutter on Leica SL2, and up to 1/4000 sec on Samsung NX100. Leica SL2 can shoot continuously up to 20.0 fps. Samsung NX100 can shoot continuously up to 3.0 fps.


      Flash

      Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe to Leica SL2 and via Accessory hot-shoe to Samsung NX100. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on Leica SL2 and 1/180 sec on Samsung NX100.

      Physical Parameters

      Leica SL2 body has dimensions of 146 x 107 x 83 mm (5.75 x 4.21 x 3.27") and Samsung NX100 body has dimensions of 120 x 71 x 35 mm (4.72 x 2.8 x 1.38"). Leica SL2 weighs 916 g (2.02 lb / 32.31 oz) and Samsung NX100 weighs 282 g (0.62 lb / 9.95 oz).

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      146 mm

      107 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      120 mm

      71 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      107 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      71 mm

      Image cannot be displayed


      83 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      35 mm

      Image cannot be displayed

      Size comparisons of Leica SL2 and Samsung NX100

      Leica SL2 and Samsung NX100 for Different Types of Photography

      We give scores to the cameras for six types of photography based on their features and specifications. Let us see how suitable they are for each type of photography.

      Landscape Photography

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      EXCELLENT
      88
      •   Large Sensor
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing

      Sports Photography

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      82
      •   50,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   225 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 5,760k dot
      •   High Max Continuous Shooting - 20.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Short Battery Life - 420 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Wildlife Photography

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      78
      •   50,000 Highest Native ISO
      •   225 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 5,760k dot
      •   High Max Continuous Shooting - 20.0 fps
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      •   Orientation Sensor
      AVERAGE
      55
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Short Battery Life - 420 shots
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Portrait Photography

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      EXCELLENT
      89
      •   Large Sensor
      •   225 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor
      GOOD
      78
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec
      •   Orientation Sensor

      Street Photography

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      EXCELLENT
      85
      •   Large Sensor
      •   225 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 916 g (2.02 lb / 32.31 oz)
      GOOD
      81
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 282 g (0.62 lb / 9.95 oz)

      Travel Photography

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      81
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   High Video Resolution - 4992 x 3744
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 916 g (2.02 lb / 32.31 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      GOOD
      83
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 282 g (0.62 lb / 9.95 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 420 shots

      Evaluations

      We evaluate Leica SL2 and Samsung NX100 and give them scores of 80 and 58 out of 100 recpectively. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      OVERALL
      80
      OVERALL
      58

      Sensor

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      72
      •   Large Sensor
      •   High Resolution Sensor - 47.3 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   50,000 Highest Native ISO
      AVERAGE
      69
      •   Sensor Resolution - 15 Megapixel
      •   100 Lowest Native ISO
      •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
      •   DxO Overall Score - 62

      Photo

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      83
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
      •   High Max Shutter Speed (Electronic) - 1/40000 sec
      •   High Max Continuous Shooting - 20.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
      POOR
      54
      •   Timelapse Recording
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
      •   Low Max Continuous Shooting - 3.0 fps
      •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/180 sec

      Video

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      72
      •   Image Stabilization
      •   High Video Resolution - 4992 x 3744
      •   Low Video Recording Limit
      BAD
      7
      •   No Image Stabilization
      •   Low Video Resolution - 1280 x 720

      Focusing

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      80
      •   225 Focus Points
      •   Touch-to-Focus
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus
      AVERAGE
      64
      •   15 Focus Points
      •   0 Cross-type Focus Points
      •   Face Detection
      •   Live View Autofocus

      Screen and Viewfinder

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      82
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Touch Screen
      •   Large Screen - 3.2"
      •   High Resolution Screen - 2,100k dot
      •   High Resolution Viewfinder - 5,760k dot
      GOOD
      70
      •   Fixed Screen
      •   Screen Size - 3.0"
      •   Low Resolution Screen - 614k dot

      Connectivity

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      EXCELLENT
      95
      •   High USB Speed
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   Built-In Bluetooth
      AVERAGE
      61
      •   HDMI Output
      •   No Microphone Input
      •   No Headphone Output
      •   No Built-in GPS
      •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
      •   No Built-In Bluetooth

      Battery, Storage and Physical

      Leica SL2

      Samsung NX100

      GOOD
      70
      •   Environmental Sealing
      •   Weight - 916 g (2.02 lb / 32.31 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 370 shots
      •   2 Storage Slots
      POOR
      44
      •   No Environmental Sealing
      •   Light - 282 g (0.62 lb / 9.95 oz)
      •   Short Battery Life - 420 shots


      For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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