Canon EOS R5 vs Leica SL2
Canon EOS R5 has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The EOS R5 is the better pick for wildlife.
Choose the EOS R5 for
- a lighter body (738g vs 928g)
- a lower price (from £1,239)
- stronger video (8K 30p)
- a newer design (2020)
Choose the SL2 for
- more resolution (47.3MP vs 45MP)
- more lenses in our database (64 vs 36)
Specs side by side
| Spec | EOS R5 | SL2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 45MP | Full frame, 47.3MP |
| Mount | Canon RF (full frame) | L-Mount (Lumix S, Leica SL) |
| Released | 2020 | 2019 |
| Burst | 20 fps | 20 fps |
| Readout | — | — |
| Max ISO | 51,200 | 50,000 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | In-body |
| Video | 8K 30p | 5K 30p / 4K 60p |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 738 g | 928 g |
| Battery | Canon LP-E6NH | Leica BP-SCL4 |
| Card slots | CFexpress B + SD (UHS-II) | 2× SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | No longer sold new | No longer sold new |
| Used at MPB | £1,239–2,009 | £1,649 |
| Native lenses in our database | 36 (14 third-party) | 64 (39 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | About equal |
| Everyday & travel | About equal |
| Portraits | About equal |
| Landscape | About equal |
| Wildlife & animals | EOS R5 |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | About equal |
| Vlogging & video | About equal |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The EOS R5 uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses in our database, 14 third-party) and the SL2 uses L-Mount (64 lenses, 39 third-party). Batteries: Canon LP-E6NH vs Leica BP-SCL4.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EOS R5 better than the Leica SL2?
It depends on your priorities. The EOS R5 offers a lighter body (738g vs 928g), a lower price (from £1,239), stronger video (8K 30p); the SL2 offers more resolution (47.3MP vs 45MP), more lenses in our database (64 vs 36).
Which is better for video, the EOS R5 or the SL2?
The EOS R5 is stronger for video: EOS R5 records 8K 30p, SL2 records 5K 30p / 4K 60p.
Which is cheaper, the EOS R5 or the SL2?
The EOS R5 costs No longer sold new new and from £1,239 used at MPB; the SL2 costs No longer sold new new and from £1,649 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Canon EOS R5 lenses on the SL2?
Not directly. The EOS R5 uses Canon RF / RF-S and the SL2 uses L-Mount; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.