Leica SL3 vs Nikon Z 8
Two of the full-frame cameras in our best full-frame cameras, ranked by official specs comparison, lined up spec by spec. Every figure comes from the manufacturer pages linked below, and the scores use the same published formula as the full ranking.
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Best for: 60.3 MP official effective pixels, 15 fps official maximum continuous shooting, ISO 100,000 official native stills maximum, official in-body or in-camera stabilization
Check price at AmazonBest for: 45.7 MP official effective pixels, 120 fps official maximum continuous shooting, ISO 25,600 official native stills maximum, official in-body or in-camera stabilization
Check price at AmazonSpec-by-spec comparison
Green marks the better published figure. "Not listed" means the manufacturer doesn't publish it.
| Spec | Leica SL3 | Nikon Z 8 | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official effective megapixelsThe official effective stills pixel count, expressed in megapixels. When a Japanese official table publishes the figure in 万画素 (units of 10,000 pixels), we convert it to megapixels and label that unit conversion computed. | 60.3 MP | 45.7 MP | 30% |
| Official maximum continuous shootingThe official maximum continuous-shooting rate in frames per second, including official high-speed electronic or custom modes when the table lists them. Official rates above 120 fps are clamped at the reference best so one limited custom mode does not dominate the ranking. Restrictions printed on the official table appear as extra wording. | 15 fps | 120 fps | 25% |
| Official native stills ISO maximumThe official standard or native stills ISO range maximum, not extended or video-only figures when the table separates them. Official maxima above ISO 102,400 are clamped at the reference best. This is a published sensitivity ceiling, not a noise test. | 100000 | 25600 | 25% |
| Official in-body stabilizationOfficial in-body image stabilization for stills, recorded as yes or no when the official table states it. Official CIPA stop ratings, when published, are shown as extra details and are not scored, because many official tables omit the stop figure. If the official table we used does not state whether in-body stabilization is included, the field is Not listed and scores at the category minimum. | Yes | Yes | 20% |
| Official image sensor | CMOS sensor, 60.3 MP (effective) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor (full-frame/FX-format) | info |
| Official continuous shooting (specification wording) | it, AF*, electric shutter, no refocusing 15 fps, 14 bit, AF*, electric shutter, no refo | 0 fps High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C120): Approx. 120 fps * Maximum frame advance rate as measure | info |
| Official native stills ISO (specification wording) | Photo ISO 100-ISO 100000 | ISO 64 to 25600 | info |
| Official stabilization wording | 5-axis image stabilization | 5-axis image sensor shift | info |
| Official body weight | 769 g | 820 g | info |
| Official body weight in pounds (computed) | 1.70 lb (computed from official 769 g) | 1.81 lb (computed from official 820 g) | info |
| Official battery / CIPA wording | Lithium-ion battery, rated voltage 7.2 V (DC); capacity 2200 mAh (min.), 260 shots (according to CIPA standard), 1350 shots (according to CIPA standard with adjusted shooting cycle*) with display/AF auto off = 5 s); Factory: Panasonic Energy (Wuxi) Co. Ltd, manufactured in China | One EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery; EN-EL15b and EN-EL15a batteries can be used in place of the EN-EL15c Note: fewer pictures can be taken on a single charge than with the EN-EL15c. EH-7P Charging AC Adapters and EH-8P AC Adapters can be used to charge EN-EL15c and EN-EL15… | info |
| Official effective pixels (specification wording) | Not listed | 45.7 million | info |
| ShotPick score | 7.3/10 | 6.9/10 | 100% |
Where each one comes out ahead
Leica SL3
Better published figure on: Official effective megapixels, Official native stills ISO maximum.
What we like
- Official table lists 60.3 MP effective pixels
- Official table lists a maximum continuous-shooting rate of 15 fps
- Official table lists a native stills ISO maximum of ISO 100,000
- Official table lists in-body or in-camera stills stabilization
Watch out for
Nikon Z 8
Better published figure on: Official maximum continuous shooting.
What we like
- Official table lists 45.7 MP effective pixels
- Official table lists a maximum continuous-shooting rate of 120 fps
- Official table lists in-body or in-camera stills stabilization
Watch out for
Verdict
On published specs, the Leica SL3 scores higher (7.3 vs 6.9). Specs don't capture sound character or feel, so weigh the pros and cons above too.
- Choose the Leica SL3 if this sounds like you: 60.3 MP official effective pixels, 15 fps official maximum continuous shooting, ISO 100,000 official native stills maximum, official in-body or in-camera stabilization.
- Choose the Nikon Z 8 if this sounds like you: 45.7 MP official effective pixels, 120 fps official maximum continuous shooting, ISO 25,600 official native stills maximum, official in-body or in-camera stabilization.