Nikon D5 vs Leica SL Typ 601

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon D5 and the Leica SL Typ 601, 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.

Nikon D5 was introduced in January 2016 and Leica SL Typ 601 was introduced in October 2015. 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 Nikon D5 over Leica SL Typ 601.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica SL Typ 601 over Nikon D5.

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

Nikon D5 has a 3.2" screen with 2,359k dot resolution and Leica SL Typ 601 has a 3.0" screen with 1,040k 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 (available only on Leica SL Typ 601) (available only on Leica SL Typ 601) 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

Nikon D5 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinderLeica SL Typ 601 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 4,400k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage.

Nikon D5 features a 20.8 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 858 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 102,400 and expands to 100 - 3,280,000 in boosted mode. Leica SL Typ 601 features a 24 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm². Its native ISO range is 50 - 50,000.

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

Nikon D5 is equipped with EXPEED 5 processor and can take pictures up to 5588 x 3712 resolution. Leica SL Typ 601 is equipped with Maestro II processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution.

Lens Mount

Nikon D5 has Nikon F lens mount and Leica SL Typ 601 has 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 Nikon D5 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Leica SL Typ 601 nothing can be done. On Leica SL Typ 601 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Nikon D5 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 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Nikon D5 has a Mini HDMI and Leica SL Typ 601 has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon D5 comes with EN-EL18a battery pack with battery life of 3780 shots and Leica SL Typ 601 comes with BP-SCL4 battery pack with battery life of 400 shots.

External Storage Slots

Nikon D5 has Dual CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA) or XQD card slots. Leica SL Typ 601 has two card slots - one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II) and one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I).

Shutter

Nikon D5 has Mechanical Focal Plane shutter and Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec on Nikon D5, and up to 1/8000 sec on Leica SL Typ 601. Nikon D5 can shoot continuously up to 14.0 fps. Leica SL Typ 601 can shoot continuously up to 11.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon D5 has 153 (99 cross-type) focusing points and Leica SL Typ 601 has 49 focusing points. Nikon D5 has detection range from -4 to +20 EV.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon D5 ranges from -4 to +20 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon D5 and ±3 EV range on Leica SL Typ 601. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon D5 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica SL Typ 601.

Flash

Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec on both cameras.

Nikon D5 body has dimensions of 160 x 158.5 x 92 mm (6.3 x 6.26 x 3.62") and Leica SL Typ 601 body has dimensions of 147 x 104 x 39 mm (5.79 x 4.09 x 1.54"). Nikon D5 weighs 1415 g (3.12 lb / 49.91 oz) and Leica SL Typ 601 weighs 847 g (1.87 lb / 29.88 oz).

Nikon D5

Leica SL Typ 601

160 mm

158.5 mm

147 mm

104 mm

158.5 mm

104 mm

92 mm

39 mm