If the TL2 isn’t for you, here’s 5 best Leica TL2 alternatives you can get your hands on to get your sharp APSC sensor fix. Includes images samples.
Leica TL2 alternatives list
Here’s the list of Leica TL2 alternatives below:
| Aspect | Leica TL2 | 1. Leica CL | 2. Leica TL | 3. Leica D-Lux 7 | 4. Fuji X100v | 5. Ricoh GR III |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera type | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact | Compact | |
| Sensor size | APSC | APSC | APSC | Micro 43 | APSC | APSC |
| Lens type | Interchangeable | Interchangeable | Interchangeable | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed |
| Lens specs (35mm) | 28mm f2.8 (bundled) | 28mm f2.8 (bundled) | 28mm f2.8 (bundled) | 34-75mm f1.7-2.8 | 35mm f2 | 28mm f2.8 |
| Megapixels | 24 | 24 | 16 | 17 | 26 | 24 |
| Article | Leica TL2 review | NA | NA | NA | NA | |
| Where to get it | Check Ebay | Check Ebay | Check on ebay | Check Ebay | Check Ebay | Check Ebay |
Now that we’ve seen the list of Leica TL2 alternatives here’s a more in depth look at what makes each a great with sample images when available.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Same in most respects ✔️ Classic design ✔️ Built-in viewfinder ✔️ LCD on top | 🛑 Pricier 🛑 Lacks stabilization |
The Leica CL is one of the best Leica TL2 alternatives. The reason is simple, it’s basically the same camera but in a different form. It has the same sized sensor and the same 24 megapixel resolution, the same SL/TL mount and pretty much the same specs with a few differences.
The first obvious one is the design: The CL is kind of a mini Leica M while the TL2 is a modern take. It has two dials on top with an LCD and has built-in viewfinder unlike the TL2.
It also comes as a kit with the 28mm f2.8 just liek the TL2. It is also thicker and has one large omission: It lacks stabilization.
That’s not all, it also has slightly less FPS powers as the TL2 can shoot 20 fps an the CL can shoot a max of 10 images per second. There is also 32 gigs of built-in memory to the TL2 but your images are always safer on a memory card, just in case something happens to the camera body.
The experience is definitely less focused on the screen and more on shooting with the viewfinder. It is an extra thousand for the CL but when you consider prices somewhat match if you buy the for the TL2 it makes a lot of sense that the CL is the best Leica TL2 alternatives.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Much cheaper ✔️ Same in most respects ✔️ Same design ✔️ Comes as a kit | 🛑 No viewfinder 🛑 Used only 🛑 Slower operation |
If you really want the Leica TL2 but the main issue is the budget, then the previous Leica TL can be had for a great price. Just because there’s a new version of something doesn’t mean the old one stops being excellent!
Yes the TL2 has a higher resolution (24 megapixels vs 16), about 2 stops better ISO handling and better AF speed and FPS but the original TL still is an excellent APSC camera that shoots beautiful images. If budget is even more of a factor you can set the even older Leica T typ 701. It tends to focus hunt and not as fast as the latest but still an excellent shooter for about $500.
The potential downside for both the TL and T as the best Leica TL2 alternatives is the fact that they can only be found used.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ 1/3 Of the price ✔️ Wonderful image quality ✔️ One of the best zooms you can get ✔️ Great dials for control | 🛑 Smaller sensor 🛑 Fixed lens 🛑 Partnership camera |
If you are looking for a Leica TL2 alternative that is more versatile, the Leica D-lux 7 is it. Fair warning that this is not 100% a Leica, it’s a partnership camera where Panasonic creates a camera on Leica specifications and both can sell their own version. If that doesn’t matter to you, this is one of the best cameras you can get, Leica or otherwise.
Unlike the TL2 it is a fixed lens and has a micro 43 sized sensor. The lens is where it’s at, yes it’s fixed but it is a fast zoom lens that can go from f1.7 to f2.8 at 75mm. This is absolutely stunning once you consider how compact the camera is.
It also has the modern features like Wi-Fi connectivity, touch screen and the like. But more importantly it has a viewfinder built-in and the macro mode is excellent. If you use the TL2, you will eventually need extra lenses while this has pretty much everything covered form street photography to portraits.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ APSC sensor ✔️ 1/3 Price ✔️ Very versatile ✔️ Hybrid viewfinder | 🛑 Fixed lens |
If you are into photography, you do not really buy a camera, you buy a SYSTEM. And if you are on a budget, you also have to consider the price of the camera body but also of the lenses. Even if you get say the older T model, the lenses might still be expensive. So if you are budget conscious, the Fujifilm X100V is an excellent Leica TL2 alternative.
It has the same sensor size but it has a fixed 35mm f2 instead. Here’s the thing, you can get extra conversion lenses for it turning it into a and a lens instead. The whole kit will be pretty much the only one you will ever need and it costs less than a Leica TL2.
The design is straight from the Leica playbook and the dials on top are reminiscent of how the M rangefinders work. But the star of the show, besides the excellent image quality is really the out of this world viewfinder.
It is both a digital viewfinder (screen) and an optical viewfinder at the same time. You flip the front lever to switch between the two and the optical viewfinder gives you the rangefinder experience with some form of augmented realty. It’s quite something when you see an optical image with data like histogram superimposed over it.
So if you are looking for the most bang for your buck the X100V and the conversion lenses might be the only kit you need.
| Reasons to buy | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ APSC ✔️ Same focal length ✔️ Pocketable ✔️ Great dials for control ✔️ Snap focus | 🛑 No viewfinder 🛑 Not as versatile |
Going on a bit of a stretch here but if you are looking at the Leica TL2 mostly for the large sensor and small size and the bundled 28mm lens then the Ricoh makes for an excellent alternative. The GR III has the same 28mm f2.8 lens built-in and the same sensor size but above all it is pocketable.
It’s one of the smallest APSC sensor cameras in the world and the image quality is excellent.
Back in the day the Ricoh GR lenses were sought after for being able to rival Leicas, and Ricoh ported their know-how to their GR lenses. So if you were looking at the TL2 for everyday/street photography, the GR III is an excellent contender. There is also the new GR IIIx that has a 40mm focal length instead of the 28mm.
Conslusion
I hope you enjoyed this article about the best Leica TL2 alternatives. The most comparable one is the because it’s mostly the same innards with a few key differences like the addition of a viewfinder and the omission of the stabilization in a classic body. The next option is the older and that are slower and have less resolution but can be had for a bargain.
The has a zoom that is pretty much anything you would need and the can give you a real bang for your buck. Lastly the is for those who want that wide angle with a large sensor in a pocketable factor. Happy shooting.