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Leica SL vs Olympus E-420

The Leica SL (Typ 601) and the Olympus E-420 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in October 2015 and March 2008. The Leica SL is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the E-420 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a full frame (Leica SL) and a Four Thirds (E-420) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 10 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Leica SL
versus
Olympus E-420
Leica SL   Olympus E-420
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Leica L mount lenses Four Thirds lenses
24 MP – Full Frame sensor 10 MP – Four Thirds sensor
4K/30p Video no Video
ISO 50-50,000 ISO 100-1,600
Electronic viewfinder (4400k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 2.7" LCD – 215k dots
Fixed touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
11 shutter flaps per second 3.5 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed bodynot weather sealed
400 shots per battery charge500 shots per battery charge
147 x 104 x 39 mm, 847 g 130 x 91 x 53 mm, 440 g
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Check E-420 offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL (Typ 601) and the Olympus E-420? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Leica SL and the Olympus E-420 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica SL vs Olympus E-420
Compare Leica SL versus E-420 top
Comparison Leica SL or E-420 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-420 is notably smaller (23 percent) than the Leica SL. Moreover, the E-420 is substantially lighter (48 percent) than the Leica SL. It is worth mentioning in this context that the Leica SL is splash and dust resistant, while the E-420 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the Leica SL gets 400 shots out of its Leica BP-SCL4 battery, while the E-420 can take 500 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLS-1 power pack.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica SL 147 mm 104 mm 39 mm 847 g 400 Y Oct 2015 US$ 7 449ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II 158 mm 168 mm 83 mm 1530 g 1210 Y Feb 2016 US$ 5 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 5DS 152 mm 116 mm 76 mm 930 g 700 Y Feb 2015 US$ 3 699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 80D 139 mm 105 mm 79 mm 730 g 960 Y Feb 2016 US$ 1 199ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M Typ 240 139 mm 80 mm 42 mm 680 g 500 Y Sep 2012 US$ 6 949ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M10 139 mm 80 mm 39 mm 660 g 210 Y Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
8.
 
Leica SL2 146 mm 107 mm 42 mm 953 g 370 Y Nov 2019 US$ 5 999 amazon.com
9.
 
Leica SL2-S 146 mm 107 mm 83 mm 931 g 510 Y Dec 2020 US$ 4 899 amazon.com
10.
 
Nikon D5 160 mm 159 mm 92 mm 1415 g 3780 Y Jan 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D500 147 mm 115 mm 81 mm 860 g 1240 Y Jan 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 US$ 2 299ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-400 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Sep 2006 US$ 699ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-410 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Mar 2007 US$ 699ebay.com
15.
 
Olympus E-450 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2009 US$ 499ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-520 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 535 g 750 n May 2008 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Olympus E-620 130 mm 94 mm 60 mm 521 g 500 n Feb 2009 US$ 699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The E-420 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 92 percent) than the Leica SL, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica SL features a full frame sensor and the Olympus E-420 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-420 is 74 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0. The sensor in the Leica SL has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-420 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Leica SL and Olympus E-420 sensor measures

With 24MP, the Leica SL offers a higher resolution than the E-420 (10MP), but the Leica SL nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 6.00μm versus 4.74μm for the E-420) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the Leica SL is a much more recent model (by 7 years and 7 months) than the E-420, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixels. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the Leica SL has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Leica SL implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Leica SL for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus E-420 are 18.2 x 13.7 inches or 46.3 x 34.7 cm for good quality, 14.6 x 10.9 inches or 37.1 x 27.8 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.1 inches or 30.9 x 23.2 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Leica SL (Typ 601) has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 50000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus E-420 are ISO 100 to ISO 1600 (no boost).

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Leica SL versus E-420 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under review, the Leica SL provides substantially higher image quality than the E-420, with an overall score that is 32 points higher. This advantage is based on 3.5 bits higher color depth, 3 EV in additional dynamic range, and 1.8 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica SL Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.013.4182188
2.
 
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.452756
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II Full Frame 20.0 5472 36484K/60p24.113.5320788
4.
 
Canon 5DS Full Frame 50.3 8688 57921080/30p24.712.4238187
5.
 
Canon 80D APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.613.2113579
6.
 
Leica M Typ 240 Full Frame 23.7 5952 39761080/25p24.013.3186084
7.
 
Leica M10 Full Frame 23.8 5952 3992none24.413.2213386
8.
 
Leica SL2 Full Frame 46.7 8368 55844K/60p25.314.3286695
9.
 
Leica SL2-S Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/60p25.214.1350495
10.
 
Nikon D5 Full Frame 20.7 5588 37124K/30p25.112.3234388
11.
 
Nikon D500 APS-C 20.7 5568 37124K/30p24.014.0132483
12.
 
Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.5295693
13.
 
Olympus E-400 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.010.612753
14.
 
Olympus E-410 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.110.049451
15.
 
Olympus E-450 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.551256
16.
 
Olympus E-520 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.410.454855
17.
 
Olympus E-620 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.353655
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The Leica SL indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the E-420 does not. The highest resolution format that the Leica SL can use is 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the Leica SL has an electronic viewfinder (4400k dots), while the E-420 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the Leica SL offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the E-420 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the Leica SL has a higher magnification (0.80x vs 0.46x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica SL and Olympus E-420 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica SL4400 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
2.
 
Olympus E-420optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 16.0/s n n
4.
 
Canon 5DSoptical Y3.2 / 1040 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
5.
 
Canon 80Doptical Y3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/8000s 7.0/s Y n
6.
 
Leica M Typ 240optical n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
7.
 
Leica M10optical n3.0 / 1037 fixed n 1/4000s 5.0/s n n
8.
 
Leica SL25760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Leica SL2-S5760 Y3.2 / 2100 fixed Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
10.
 
Nikon D5optical Y3.2 / 2359 fixed Y 1/8000s 14.0/s n n
11.
 
Nikon D500optical Y3.2 / 2359 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
12.
 
Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
13.
 
Olympus E-400optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
14.
 
Olympus E-410optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
15.
 
Olympus E-450optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
16.
 
Olympus E-520optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y Y
17.
 
Olympus E-620optical n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the Leica SL, but is missing on the E-420 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the Leica SL is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica SL has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The Leica SL writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the E-420 uses Compact Flash or xD Picture cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica SL (Typ 601) and Olympus E-420 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica SLYstereo / monoYYfull3.0Y--
2.
 
Olympus E-420Y- / ----2.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
4.
 
Canon 5DSYmono / monoY-mini3.0---
5.
 
Canon 80DYstereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
6.
 
Leica M Typ 240Ystereo / mono---2.0---
7.
 
Leica M10Y- / -----Y--
8.
 
Leica SL2Ystereo / monoYYfull3.1Y-Y
9.
 
Leica SL2-SYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
10.
 
Nikon D5Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0---
11.
 
Nikon D500Ystereo / monoYYmini3.0YYY
12.
 
Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
13.
 
Olympus E-400Y- / ----2.0---
14.
 
Olympus E-410Y- / ----2.0---
15.
 
Olympus E-450Y- / ----2.0---
16.
 
Olympus E-520Y- / ----2.0---
17.
 
Olympus E-620Y- / ----2.0---

It is notable that the Leica SL offers wifi support, while the E-420 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Leica SL (unlike the E-420) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the Leica SL has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the Leica SL and the E-420 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The Leica SL was replaced by the Leica SL2, while the E-420 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the Leica SL and E-420 can be found, respectively, in the Leica SL Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-420 Manual.

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Review summary

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica SL and the Olympus E-420? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Advantages of the Leica SL (Typ 601):

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (24 vs 10MP) with a 58% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (32 points) in the DXO overall assessment.
  • Richer colors: Generates images with noticeably better colors (3.5 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a larger spectrum of light and dark details (3 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (1.8 stops ISO advantage).
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 4K/30p movies.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.80x vs 0.46x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 215k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 3.5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years and 7 months of technical progress since the E-420 launch.

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Reasons to prefer the Olympus E-420:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • More compact: Is smaller (130x91mm vs 147x104mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 407g or 48 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (500 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (92 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in March 2008).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the Leica SL is the clear winner of the match-up (26 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

Leica SL 26:08 E-420

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica SL and the Olympus E-420 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the Leica SL or the E-420. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica SL4/5..4/584/1004.5/54/5 Oct 2015 US$ 7 449ebay.com
2.
 
Olympus E-420..85/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2008 US$ 599ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D X Mark II....4.5/589/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 US$ 5 999ebay.com
4.
 
Canon 5DS..+..83/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 US$ 3 699ebay.com
5.
 
Canon 80D4/5+ +4.5/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 US$ 1 199ebay.com
6.
 
Leica M Typ 2404/5......4/5.. Sep 2012 US$ 6 949ebay.com
7.
 
Leica M104.5/5......4/54.5/5 Jan 2017 US$ 6 599ebay.com
8.
 
Leica SL24/5..4.5/5..4.5/54/5 Nov 2019 US$ 5 999 amazon.com
9.
 
Leica SL2-S4/5..4/5..4.5/54.5/5 Dec 2020 US$ 4 899 amazon.com
10.
 
Nikon D5....4/589/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 US$ 6 499ebay.com
11.
 
Nikon D5005/5+ +4.7/591/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 US$ 1 999ebay.com
12.
 
Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 US$ 2 299ebay.com
13.
 
Olympus E-400..85/100....4/54/5 Sep 2006 US$ 699ebay.com
14.
 
Olympus E-410..86/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2007 US$ 699ebay.com
15.
 
Olympus E-450........4/54/5 Mar 2009 US$ 499ebay.com
16.
 
Olympus E-520..87/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 May 2008 US$ 699ebay.com
17.
 
Olympus E-6203/588/100..72/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2009 US$ 699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications: Leica SL vs Olympus E-420

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica SL Olympus E-420
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Leica L mount lenses Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date October 2015 March 2008
    Launch Price USD 7,449 USD 599
    Sensor Specs Leica SL Olympus E-420
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 36.0 x 24.0 mm 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 864 mm2 224.9 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.3 mm 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6000 x 4000 pixels 3648 x 2736 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 6.00 μm 4.74 μm
    Pixel Density 2.78 MP/cm2 4.44 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 50 - 50,000 ISO 100 - 1,600 ISO
    Image Processor Maestro II TruePic III
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 88 56
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 25.0 21.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.4 10.4
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1821 527
    Screen Specs Leica SL Olympus E-420
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 95%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.80x 0.46x
    Viewfinder Resolution 4400k dots
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 2.7inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 215k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Leica SL Olympus E-420
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s 3.5 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF or XD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Leica SL Olympus E-420
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket no PC Sync
    USB Connector USB 3.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port full HDMI no HDMI
    Microphone Port External MIC port no MIC socket
    Headphone Socket Headphone port no Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Geotagging GPS built-in no internal GPS
    Body Specs Leica SL Olympus E-420
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed bodynot weather sealed
    Battery Type Leica BP-SCL4 Olympus BLS-1
    Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge500 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 147 x 104 x 39 mm
    (5.8 x 4.1 x 1.5 in)
    130 x 91 x 53 mm
    (5.1 x 3.6 x 2.1 in)
    Camera Weight 847 g (29.9 oz) 440 g (15.5 oz)
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