Leica TL

    66
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    Highlights

    • 16.3 MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 12,500 Native ISO
    • 3.7" 1,230k dot Fixed Screen
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • 1920 x 1080 Video Shooting
    • 30 min Video Recording Limit
    • Built-in Flash
    • Built-In Wi-Fi
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Leica TL was announced in 2016 and is an APS-C (23.6 x 15.7 mm) Mirrorless camera with 16.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 12,500. The camera has a Fixed 3.7" screen with 1,230k dot resolution.

    Leica TL can capture video up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Successor
    4. Screen and Viewfinder
    5. Sensor
    6. Photography Features
    7. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    8. Other Features
    9. Physical Parameters
    10. For Different Types of Photography
    11. Evaluation
    12. Specifications  

    Here is the Leica T series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Leica T series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Leica TL2
    Compare
    		July
    2017    		 24.6 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 50,000 Fixed 3.7"
    1,300k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Leica TL November
    2016    		 16.3 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,500 Fixed 3.7"
    1,230k dot
    Touchscreen
    Image cannot be found Leica T Typ 701
    Compare
    		April
    2014    		 16.3 MP
    APS-C    		 125 - 12,500 Fixed 3.7"
    1,300k dot
    Touchscreen

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Leica TL2 vs TL vs T Typ 701.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Leica TL.

    PROS

    •   Video Capture
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Large Screen - 3.7"
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   Light - 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz)
    •   Internal Storage
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Price
    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

    Successor

    In 2017 Leica TL was replaced by Leica TL2. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Leica TL and its successor.

    UPGRADES Leica TL2 vs Leica TL
    Higher Sensor Resolution 24.6 Megapixel vs 16.3 Megapixel
    Max Image Resolution 6016 x 4014 vs 4928 x 3264
    Higher Resolution Screen 1,300k dot vs 1,230k dot
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 7.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Higher Video Resolution 3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080
    Higher USB Speed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (5 GBit/sec) vs USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
    DOWNGRADES Leica TL2 vs Leica TL
    More Expensive $1950 (body only) vs $1695
    Lower Native ISO 50,000 vs 12,500
    Built-in Flash vs
    Heavier 399 g (0.88 lb / 14.07 oz) vs 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz)
    Shorter Battery Life 250 shots vs 400 shots

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Leica TL vs TL2.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed Touchscreen

    Leica TL has a 3.7" Fixed touchscreen with 1,230k dot resolution.

    Camera does not have a built-in viewfinder but an optional electronic viewfinder can be attached.

    Sensor

    Leica TL features a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 370.5 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,500.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Leica TL's APS-C sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.7 mm370.5 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with Maestro processor and can take pictures up to 4928 x 3264 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4272 x 2856, 3264 x 2160, 2144 x 1424, 1632 x 1080 with 3:2 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Leica TL has Leica TL lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.


    No In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera does not have in-body image stabilization (IBIS) so it needs lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Leica TL.

    Leica T Typ 701
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    16.3 MP

    Leica TL2
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    APS-C

    24.6 MP

    Pentax Q-S1
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    1/1.7-inch

    12.4 MP

    Canon 5DS R
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    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Fujifilm S5 Pro
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    APS-C

    6 MP

    Panasonic GF3
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    Micro Four Thirds

    12 MP

    Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    6 MP

    Olympus OM-D E-M1
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    16.3 MP

    Fujifilm X-A3
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    24.2 MP

    Canon 5DS
    Image cannot be found

    Full Frame

    50.6 MP

    Fujifilm GFX 50S
    Image cannot be found

    Medium format

    51.4 MP

    Samsung NX5
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    15 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    Built-in Wi-Fi

    Camera has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
      Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.


    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Leica TL has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Leica TL comes with BP-DC13 battery pack with battery life of 400 shots.


    Internal Storage and External Storage Slots

    The camera has 32 GB internal storage and a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Leica TL's shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Flash

    Leica TL has a built-in flash with maximum range of 4.50 m at ISO 100 and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe.

    Physical Parameters

    Leica TL has dimensions of 134 x 69 x 33 mm (5.28 x 2.72 x 1.3"). It weighs 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz), so it is a lightweight camera.

    134 mm (5.28")

    69 mm (2.72")

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    69 mm (2.72")

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    33 mm (1.3")

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    Leica TL dimensions

    Leica TL for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Leica TL is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    70

    Leica TL gets a score of 70 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Touch Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    GOOD
    76

    Leica TL gets a score of 76 and is GOOD choice for Sports photography.

    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    68

    Leica TL gets a score of 68 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO
    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    EXCELLENT
    89

    Leica TL gets a score of 89 and is EXCELLENT choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   Face Detection
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Large Screen - 3.7"
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    EXCELLENT
    85

    Leica TL gets a score of 85 and is EXCELLENT choice for Street photography.

    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Leica TL gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots

    Leica TL Evaluation

    We evaluate Leica TL and give score of 66 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    66

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    63

    We give Leica TL a score of 63 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Sensor Resolution - 16.3 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   12,500 Highest Native ISO

    Photo

    AVERAGE
    56

    We give Leica TL a score of 56 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/4000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps

    Video

    BAD
    16

    We give Leica TL a score of 16 for Video parameters.

    •   No Image Stabilization
    •   Low Video Resolution - 1920 x 1080
    •   Low Video Recording Limit

    Focusing

    EXCELLENT
    86

    We give Leica TL a score of 86 for Focusing parameters.

    •   Touch-to-Focus
    •   Face Detection
    •   Live View Autofocus

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    84

    We give Leica TL a score of 84 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Touch Screen
    •   Large Screen - 3.7"
    •   Screen Resolution - 1,230k dot

    Connectivity

    GOOD
    78

    We give Leica TL a score of 78 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    POOR
    43

    We give Leica TL a score of 43 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   No Environmental Sealing
    •   Light - 384 g (0.85 lb / 13.55 oz)
    •   Short Battery Life - 400 shots
    •   Internal Storage


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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