Both Leica Q and Leica SL have Full frame sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors so sensor size and resolution is not a differentiator between these two cameras.
One other difference between these two cameras that is worth mentioning is that Leica SL's sensor doesn't have an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. Removing anti-alias filter increases the sharpness and level of detail but at the same time, it increases the chance of moiré occurring in certain scenes.
Below you can see the Q Typ 116 and SL sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Leica Q and Leica SL Cameras
Leica Q and Leica SL have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Leica Q and Leica SL sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that SL has a better overall score of 88, 3 points higher compared to Q Typ 116's score of 85.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Leica Q
85
24.3 bits
12.7 Evs
2221 ISO
Leica SL
88
25.0 bits
13.4 Evs
1821 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Leica Q
or the
Leica SL ,
including hyperfocal distance.
