Upgrade Guide
Leica SL2→Leica Leica M EV1
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
→
Worthwhile
Clear improvements over the SL2. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.
What's new in the Leica M EV1
-
Resolution60MP vs 47MP (+13MP)
-
Generation6 years newer (2025 vs 2019)
Unchanged or similar
-
Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | SL2 | Leica M EV1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -1.1 | ||
| Street | +1.4 | ||
| Travel | +0.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -3.4 | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Documentary | -4.1 | ||
| Sports & Action | -3.4 | ||
| Landscape | -0.8 | ||
| Wildlife | -3.8 | ||
| Casual | -1.2 | ||
| Food | -0.6 | ||
| Macro | -1.4 | ||
| Architecture | -0.4 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.2 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | SL2 | Leica M EV1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,200 | £6,799 | |
| Released | 2019 | 2025 | ↑ |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 60MP full-frame BSI CMOS (triple-resolution) | |
| Resolution | 47MP | 60MP | ↑ |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | None (stills-only) | |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | Manual focus only (no AF motor, M-mount lenses) | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 4.5fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | 244 shots (CIPA, LCD) | ↓ |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 499g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.76x magnification | |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | Fixed touchscreen | |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Leica M-mount | |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Single SD (UHS-II) + 64GB internal |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See SL2 and Leica M EV1 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Leica M EV1 against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the SL2
Related buying guides
Camera family history