Leica SL3-S vs Nikon Z8

The Leica SL3-S and the Nikon Z8 are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2025 and May 2023. Both the Leica SL3-S and the Z8 are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are equipped with a full frame sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 24 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 45.4 MP.

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

Headline Specifications

Leica SL3-S		Nikon Z8
Mirrorless system camera		Mirrorless system camera
Leica L mount lenses		Nikon Z mount lenses
24 MP – Full Frame sensor		45.4 MP – Full Frame sensor
6K/30p Video		8K/30p Video
ISO 100-50,000 (50 - 100,000)		ISO 64-25,600 (32 - 102,400)
Electronic viewfinder (5760k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (3690k dots)
3.2" LCD – 2333k dots		3.2" LCD – 2089k dots
Tilting touchscreen		Fully flexible touchscreen
30 shutter flaps per second		30 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Weathersealed body
315 shots per battery charge		340 shots per battery charge
141 x 108 x 85 mm, 852 g		144 x 119 x 83 mm, 910 g

Check Leica SL3-S price at
amazon.com
Check Z8 price at
amazon.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica SL3-S and the Nikon Z8? 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.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica SL3-S and the Nikon Z8. 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.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon Z8 is notably larger (13 percent) than the Leica SL3-S. Moreover, the Z8 is markedly heavier (7 percent) than the Leica SL3-S. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments.

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 SL3-S gets 315 shots out of its Leica BP-SCL6 battery, while the Z8 can take 340 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL15c power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Leica SL3-S	141 mm	108 mm	85 mm	852 g	315	Y	Jan 2025	EUR 5 199	amazon.com
2.		Nikon Z8	144 mm	119 mm	83 mm	910 g	340	Y	May 2023	EUR 4 599	amazon.com
3.		Canon R1	158 mm	150 mm	87 mm	1115 g	1330	Y	Jul 2024	EUR 7 499	amazon.com
4.		Canon R3	150 mm	143 mm	87 mm	1015 g	760	Y	Sep 2021	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
5.		Canon R5 Mark II	138 mm	98 mm	88 mm	746 g	340	Y	Jul 2024	EUR 4 799	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100S II	150 mm	104 mm	87 mm	883 g	530	Y	May 2024	EUR 5 499	amazon.com
7.		Leica SL2	146 mm	107 mm	42 mm	953 g	370	Y	Nov 2019	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
8.		Leica SL2-S	146 mm	107 mm	83 mm	931 g	510	Y	Dec 2020	EUR 4 499	amazon.com
9.		Leica SL3	141 mm	108 mm	85 mm	854 g	320	Y	Mar 2024	EUR 6 799	amazon.com
10.		Nikon D850	146 mm	124 mm	79 mm	1005 g	1840	Y	Jul 2017	EUR 3 799	amazon.com
11.		Nikon Z6	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	310	Y	Aug 2018	EUR 2 449	ebay.com
12.		Nikon Z7	134 mm	101 mm	67 mm	675 g	330	Y	Aug 2018	EUR 3 849	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GH7	138 mm	100 mm	100 mm	805 g	380	Y	Jun 2024	EUR 2 199	amazon.com
14.		Panasonic S1 II	134 mm	102 mm	92 mm	800 g	350	Y	May 2025	EUR 3 499	amazon.com
15.		Panasonic S1R	149 mm	110 mm	97 mm	1016 g	380	Y	Feb 2019	EUR 3 699	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic S5 II	134 mm	102 mm	90 mm	740 g	370	Y	Jan 2023	EUR 2 199	amazon.com
17.		Sony A9 III	136 mm	97 mm	83 mm	702 g	530	Y	Nov 2023	EUR 6 999	amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. 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 Z8 was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 25 percent) than the Leica SL3-S, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. 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 size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and 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 more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a full frame sensor, but their sensors differ slightly in size. The sensor area in the Z8 is 1 percent smaller. They nevertheless have the same format factor of 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a slightly smaller sensor, the Z8 offers a higher resolution of 45.4 megapixels, compared with 24 MP of the Leica SL3-S. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.35μm versus 6.00μm for the Leica SL3-S). Moreover, it should be noted that the Leica SL3-S is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 8 months) than the Z8, and its sensor might 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 neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Nikon Z8 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the Z8 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 41.3 x 27.5 inches or 104.9 x 69.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 33 x 22 inches or 83.9 x 55.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 27.5 x 18.3 inches or 69.9 x 46.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica SL3-S are 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm for good quality, 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm for very good quality, and 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the Z8, the Leica SL3-S has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (96MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Leica SL3-S has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 50000, which can be extended to ISO 50-100000. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon Z8 are ISO 64 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 32-102400.

In terms of underlying technology, the Leica SL3-S is build around a CMOS sensor, while the Z8 uses a Stacked BSI-CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica SL3-S	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	25.4	14.8	3383	97
2.		Nikon Z8	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	8K/30p	26.3	14.2	2548	98
3.		Canon R1	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/60p	25.4	14.8	3332	97
4.		Canon R3	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/60p	25.0	14.7	4086	96
5.		Canon R5 Mark II	Full Frame	44.8	8192	5464	8k/60p	25.4	14.8	3332	97
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100S II	Medium Format	101.8	11648	8736	4K/30p	25.9	15.1	3720	101
7.		Leica SL2	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	25.3	14.3	2866	95
8.		Leica SL2-S	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/60p	25.2	14.1	3504	95
9.		Leica SL3	Full Frame	60.3	9520	6336	8K/30p	25.4	14.8	3295	97
10.		Nikon D850	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.4	14.8	2660	100
11.		Nikon Z6	Full Frame	24.3	6048	4024	4K/30p	25.3	14.3	3299	95
12.		Nikon Z7	Full Frame	45.4	8256	5504	4K/30p	26.3	14.6	2668	99
13.		Panasonic GH7	Four Thirds	25.0	5776	4336	5.7K/60p	23.4	13.6	1784	78
14.		Panasonic S1 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	25.4	14.8	3406	97
15.		Panasonic S1R	Full Frame	46.7	8368	5584	4K/60p	26.4	14.1	3525	100
16.		Panasonic S5 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	6K/30p	25.4	14.6	3158	96
17.		Sony A9 III	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/120p	25.4	14.7	3243	96
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. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the Z8 provides a better video resolution than the Leica SL3-S. It can shoot movie footage at 8K/30p, while the Leica is limited to 6K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the Leica SL3-S offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the Z8 (5760k vs 3690k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica SL3-S, the Nikon Z8, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		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 SL3-S	5760	Y	3.2 / 2333	tilting	Y	1/8000s	30.0/s	n	Y
2.		Nikon Z8	3690	Y	3.2 / 2089	full-flex	Y	1/32000s	30.0/s	n	Y
3.		Canon R1	9440	Y	3.2 / 2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	Y
4.		Canon R3	5760	Y	3.2 / 4150	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	Y
5.		Canon R5 Mark II	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	swivel	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	Y
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100S II	5760	Y	3.2 / 2360	full-flex	Y	1/4000s	7.0/s	n	Y
7.		Leica SL2	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
8.		Leica SL2-S	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	fixed	Y	1/8000s	20.0/s	n	Y
9.		Leica SL3	5760	Y	3.2 / 2333	tilting	Y	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	Y
10.		Nikon D850	optical	Y	3.2 / 2359	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	n
11.		Nikon Z6	3690	Y	3.2 / 2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	12.0/s	n	Y
12.		Nikon Z7	3690	Y	3.2 / 2100	tilting	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	Y
13.		Panasonic GH7	3680	n	3.0 / 1840	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	14.0/s	n	Y
14.		Panasonic S1 II	5760	n	3.2 / 1840	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	10.0/s	n	Y
15.		Panasonic S1R	5760	Y	3.2 / 2100	full-flex	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	Y
16.		Panasonic S5 II	3680	n	3.0 / 1840	swivel	Y	1/8000s	9.0/s	n	Y
17.		Sony A9 III	9440	n	3.2 / 2100	full-flex	Y	1/80000s	120.0/s	n	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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 SL3-S and the Nikon Z8 both have 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.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the Leica SL3-S and the Z8 write their files to CFexpress (type B) or SDXC cards. Both cameras feature dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. Both cameras support UHS-II cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s.

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 SL3-S and Nikon Z8 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica SL3-S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
2.		Nikon Z8	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
3.		Canon R1	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
4.		Canon R3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
5.		Canon R5 Mark II	Y	mono / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100S II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	-	Y
7.		Leica SL2	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
8.		Leica SL2-S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
9.		Leica SL3	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
10.		Nikon D850	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	Y	Y
11.		Nikon Z6	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
12.		Nikon Z7	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	-	Y
13.		Panasonic GH7	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
14.		Panasonic S1 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
15.		Panasonic S1R	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.1	Y	-	Y
16.		Panasonic S5 II	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y
17.		Sony A9 III	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	full	3.2	Y	-	Y

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon Z8 (unlike the Leica SL3-S) 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 Z8 has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the Leica SL3-S and the Z8 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The Leica SL3-S replaced the earlier Leica SL2-S, while the Z8 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Nikon websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica SL3-S and the Nikon Z8? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Leica SL3-S:

• High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (5760k vs 3690k dots).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2333k vs 2089k dots).
• More compact: Is smaller (141x108mm vs 144x119mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 1 year and 8 months after the Z8).

Reasons to prefer the Nikon Z8:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (45.4 vs 24MP), which boosts linear resolution by 38%.
• Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (8K/30p vs 6K/30p).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.80x vs 0.76x).
• More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/32000s vs 1/8000s) to freeze action.
• Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (25 percent cheaper at launch).
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in May 2023).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the Z8 emerges as the winner of the match-up (9 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica SL3-S and the Nikon Z8 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing 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 says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the Leica SL3-S and the Z8 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera 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.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Leica SL3-S	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jan 2025	EUR 5 199	amazon.com
2.		Nikon Z8	5/5	..	5/5	94/100	5/5	4.5/5	May 2023	EUR 4 599	amazon.com
3.		Canon R1	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jul 2024	EUR 7 499	amazon.com
4.		Canon R3	5/5	o	4.5/5	..	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2021	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
5.		Canon R5 Mark II	..	..	..	93/100	..	..	Jul 2024	EUR 4 799	amazon.com
6.		Fujifilm GFX 100S II	..	..	..	..	..	..	May 2024	EUR 5 499	amazon.com
7.		Leica SL2	4/5	..	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	4/5	Nov 2019	EUR 5 999	amazon.com
8.		Leica SL2-S	4/5	..	4/5	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Dec 2020	EUR 4 499	amazon.com
9.		Leica SL3	..	..	4.5/5	..	..	4.5/5	Mar 2024	EUR 6 799	amazon.com
10.		Nikon D850	4.5/5	+ +	5/5	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jul 2017	EUR 3 799	amazon.com
11.		Nikon Z6	5/5	..	5/5	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	EUR 2 449	ebay.com
12.		Nikon Z7	5/5	+	4.8/5	89/100	4.5/5	5/5	Aug 2018	EUR 3 849	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic GH7	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2024	EUR 2 199	amazon.com
14.		Panasonic S1 II	..	..	..	..	..	..	May 2025	EUR 3 499	amazon.com
15.		Panasonic S1R	4.5/5	..	4.6/5	89/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2019	EUR 3 699	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic S5 II	4.5/5	+ +	5/5	90/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2023	EUR 2 199	amazon.com
17.		Sony A9 III	4.5/5	..	..	91/100	..	..	Nov 2023	EUR 6 999	amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Check Leica SL3-S price at
amazon.com
Check Z8 price at
amazon.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. 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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