LEICA M10-R vs LEICA SL2 | Full REVIEW | Which one is FOR YOU?

This video provides a comprehensive comparison of the new Leica M10-R Rangefinder camera with the Leica SL2 system camera.

Content:
- Introduction
- Comparison of the camera bodies
- Comparison of the camera features
- Live shooting on both cameras
- Resolution comparison
- Dynamic range comparison
- Conclusions, advice and recommendations

Watch in 4K to avoid quality decrease from video compression!

See also related videos on my channel:

Rangefinder focussing (starts at 12:05):

Multishot (all you need to know) in Firmware 2.0 of the Leica SL2:

Leica SL2 Multishot compared with Phase One IQ4:

Exposure Bracketing Tutorial (Leica SL2):

[kajohnsontx]

I own both the SL2 and the M10-R and agree with your comments. One additional feature of the SL2 is full weather sealing, so that shifts the decision to the SL2 when going out for adventure nature photography, plus the longer focal length lenses are a must. Still I love the M10-R and the small lenses, so I am always torn as to which to take. Yes, it is rough life with such hard choices.

[JimmyCheng]

wow, highlight recovery is amazing on m10-r

[TL-vtuk]

Thanks for sharing this video. I think by allowing the camera light meters to calculate the shutter speed you are not necessarily comparing photos of equivalent over and under exposures. To me, the SL2 is even more over exposed than the M10-R, so when you use equivalent highlight recovery settings, you are only partially correcting for the overexposure in the SL2 versus the M10-R. I would suggest re-running the dynamic range tests using full manual settings and mathematically calculating the exposures differences (as you showed).

[blueinred]

Excellent video. On the highlight recovery: I think you should have used the same exposure on both cameras. The M10R meter was underexposing slightly, meaning the highlights weren't as blown to start with, hence recovery appeared better.

[aljawad]

Thank you for this comparison, which gave me an idea about performing some test shots. I have the M10-R and the APO 50.

[garyhogg]

I have been using both handheld at low light - I found the SL2 was handling low light shots really well with the image stabilisation. That said I will always prefer the M - because it’s the M!!!

[marcusoutdoors]

I watched this a few months ago and only on a second sitting fully appreciate the full value of your excellent methodical testing. The highlight recovery matters to me, so the M10R is vastly superior. Thank you again.

[chenhaus]

The greens and blues seem a little more saturated in the SL2 images. You think that a function of the lens or sensor or image processing?

[piosuh]

Thanks for your video. It was very helpful to compare between the two cameras. More attracted to the M10R.

[David-myuu]

The SL2 had superior color rendition easily seen in the side by side comparison, where the M10-R appeared flat and dull, almost hazy itself, the SL popped! I didn’t hear you mention that, however.

[paulsehstedt]

Great video indeed. The SL is a great camera, but I love my M240 because of its simplicity.

[wir]

Hi. I also have the SL2. Would you tell me your video settings? I find the contrasts much too harsh, especially when I film people. I've already completely removed the saturation and contrast in the profile. Am I doing something wrong?

[EEV]

Great review again! It’s been a huge question for me to M10-R or SL2 until I did few tests myself at Leica Los Angeles. Without speaking about size of both cameras, first and huge difference for me, is a color and dynamic range quality. SL2 deliveries more clinical look, cooler color, more saturation, less dynamic range in mountains atmosphere, clouds, city haze, darker shadows, leafs look more flat. Which is means to me that I will have to do post work on images from SL2 and M10-R is just perfect. For my professional work in film industry post production it’s extremely important, if somebody wants just to share photo on Instagram it’s not noticeable. M10-R is what I need. Speaking in favor of SL2, it’s a fantastic camera, I actually prefer electronic view finder and 47 megapixels is great extra to have, I love body design that reminds me R4 camera, IBIS is great addition to have even while using M lenses, full weather sealing is important and video capabilities are top of the market today with ability to shoot LOG. Bottom line for me based on your review and my tests, SL2 is a very heavy camera, I will not be able to take it with me for a walk in downtown taking hand held pictures for more than 3 hours, it’s a more to use with tripod kind of camera or in studio, fantastic for people with videography needs. For photographers it’s M 10-R camera, with a exceptional film like color rendering, small size and weight.

[Eliehbk]

Thanks for another amazing video. Is it possible for you to do the same comparison between your X1D and the Leicas? Thanks!

[blende.]

thanks a lot, this video helps my. Now I just have to decide M10R in silver or black.

[tristanzand]

regarding overexposure you have to go manual to compare both sensors, otherwise the bias helps the m10r

[andrewjames]

Had several m series cameras including the m10, but with my eye sight not as good as it used to be, have now got the sl2 and using it with m lenses is far easier to get focus and don’t find it to much bigger.love it

[RolandAyala]

Great work, as usual. Regarding M10-R (and M system in general), if weather sealed, then I'd 100% agree with your closing remark that M10 is the right choice for the photography purist. But as it stands, it's not a tool I can solely rely on as a replacement for the SL2 (ignoring the SL2's other capabilities). So I 90% agree :-) Thank you for this video.

[carlomac]

Highlight recovery: you can see at the bottom of the image the green foliage is quite a bit brighter on the sl2, so I think there was a variation in the brightness of the sunshine between the two exposures which explains why the sl2 couldn’t recover as much detail. Keen to hear if you have done any further testing however.

[franciscoproner]

Hi! I would love to see a comparison between M10r and the leica Q2. Great video!