Decision tools · Compare
SL2 vs 1 J5
Quick take: The SL2 has the highest resolution at 47MP; the 1 J5 is the most affordable; only the SL2 is weather sealed.
Where the SL2 wins
- Resolution: 47.3MP
- Battery Life: 370 shots (CIPA)
- Weather Sealed: Yes
- Portrait: 6.5 vs 3.9
- Wedding & Events: 6.1 vs 2.9
Where the 1 J5 wins
- Cheaper new: £93 vs £1,539
- Weight: 265g (with battery)
- Street: 6.7 vs 4.6
- Travel: 6.1 vs 4.7
- Casual: 5.1 vs 3.8
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video, Clifton Cameras, MPB, eBay and Amazon UK
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Size comparedbody only, no lens · drawn to one scale
- SL2 146 × 107 × 80 mm · 920 g
- 1 J5 98 × 60 × 32 mm · 265 g
The 1 J5 is 48 mm narrower, 47 mm shorter, 48 mm slimmer and 655 g lighter than the SL2.
Drawn to scale from the makers' dimensions (W × H × D). Front shown, depth on the slanted edge.
Verdictwhich should you buy?
SL2 — Commercial, Landscape, Video: Leica's most capable system camera — excellent for photographers who want L-mount glass access.
Who should buy what
SL2 (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
- Commercial photographers who want Leica quality with modern AF
- Filmmakers who want Leica glass with video capability
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | SL2Leica · 2019 | 1 J5Nikon · 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,539 used | £93 usedBest |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 20.8MP 1-inch (CX) BSI CMOS |
| Resolution | 47.3MPBest | 20.8MP |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | 4K UHD/15p, 1080p/60 |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | Hybrid AF: 171 areas, 105 with phase detection; face detection, subject tracking |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 20fps |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA)Best | ~250 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 265g (with battery)Best |
| Dimensions | 146.0 × 107.0 × 80.5mm | 98.3 × 59.7 × 31.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | YesBest | Not weather sealed |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | None (rear screen only) |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | 3.0" tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Nikon 1 |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Single microSD slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size | USB, micro HDMI, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
SL2
1 J5
Portrait
6.5/10
3.9/10
Street
4.6/10
6.7/10
Travel
4.7/10
6.1/10
Wedding & Events
6.1/10
2.9/10
Filmmaking
6.6/10
3.2/10
Documentary
6.2/10
4.1/10
Sports & Action
5.4/10
4.5/10
Landscape
7.0/10
3.9/10
Wildlife
5.8/10
4.3/10
Casual
3.8/10
5.1/10
Food
5.8/10
4.6/10
Macro
5.3/10
3.4/10
Architecture
7.1/10
3.4/10
Astrophotography
5.6/10
2.6/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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