Decision tools · Compare
Leica SL3-S vs Z9
Quick take: The Z9 has the highest resolution at 46MP; the Leica SL3-S is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
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
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z9 — Professional Sports & Wildlife: The Z9 redefined what professional mirrorless could be — no mechanical shutter, 45MP stacked BSI, and 8K RAW in the most rugged Z body.
Who should buy what
Z9 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional sports, wildlife and photojournalism photographers
- Nikon D6 or D850 users making the final switch to mirrorless
- Those who need the fastest, most reliable AF Nikon has ever made
- Professionals who need a flagship body with no mechanical shutter
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Leica SL3-SLeica · 2025 | Z9Nikon · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,489Best | £4,639 |
| Sensor | 24.6MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 25.0MP | 45.7MPBest |
| Video | 6K/30p open gate, 4K/60p, 10-bit, L-Log | 8K/30p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-stop IBIS | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic)Best | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG |
| Battery Life | 315 shots (CIPA) | 740 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 852g (with battery and card)Best | 1340g (body only) |
| Dimensions | — | 149.0 × 149.5 × 90.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L (L-mount) | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB-C 10Gbit, full-size HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN |
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
Leica SL3-S
Z9
Portrait
7.7/10
8.2/10
Street
5.6/10
5.0/10
Travel
5.5/10
5.0/10
Wedding & Events
7.5/10
8.4/10
Filmmaking
7.2/10
7.9/10
Documentary
7.2/10
7.6/10
Sports & Action
7.7/10
9.2/10
Landscape
6.7/10
6.7/10
Wildlife
7.5/10
8.9/10
Casual
4.4/10
4.0/10
Food
6.8/10
6.9/10
Macro
5.8/10
6.6/10
Architecture
6.9/10
6.8/10
Astrophotography
6.3/10
7.2/10
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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