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Leica CL vs Sony FX3

Portability
82
Imaging
68
Features
58
Overall
64
Leica CL front
 
Sony FX3 front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 Key Specs

Leica CL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 403g - 131 x 78 x 45mm
  • Announced November 2017
Sony FX3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 716g - 130 x 78 x 85mm
  • Introduced February 2021
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Leica CL vs Sony FX3 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Leica CL and Sony FX3, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the CL (24MP) and FX3 (12MP) and the CL (APS-C) and FX3 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The CL was released 4 years before the FX3 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short highlight of how the CL scores versus the FX3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Leica CL over the Sony FX3

 CL FX3 

Reasons to pick Sony FX3 over the Leica CL

 FX3 CL 
IntroducedFebruary 2021November 2017More modern by 39 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1440k1040kCrisper screen (+400k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Leica CL and Sony FX3

 CL FX3 
Screen sizing3"3.00"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Leica CL has got outside dimensions of 131mm x 78mm x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") having a weight of 403 grams (0.89 lbs) while the Sony FX3 has measurements of 130mm x 78mm x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 716 grams (1.58 lbs).

Compare the Leica CL and Sony FX3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the CL and the FX3.

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the CL and FX3 is 82 and 62 respectively.

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 top view buttons comparison

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking a spec sheet. The image here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the CL and FX3.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The CL due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Leica CL will resolve more detail as a result of its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged CL is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 sensor size comparison

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica CL vs Sony FX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica CL Portrait photography factors
Sony FX3 Portrait photography factors
72
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
71
focusing manually
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica CL Street photography details
Sony FX3 Street photography details
73
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
provides focus by touch
good ISO range (50,000)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
includes touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Leica CL as a Sports photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Sports photography camera
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/25,000s)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (220 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery (600 shots)
has phase detect AF
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica CL
Travel photography with Sony FX3
66
provides focus by touch
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
bad battery (220 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
good battery (600 shots)
environment proof
has bluetooth
includes touch focus
selfie friendly display
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica CL
Landscape photography with Sony FX3
68
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW formats
focusing manually not possible
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (220 CIPA)
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3.00")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW files
environment proof
good battery (600 shots)
has dual storage slots
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica CL as a Vlogging camera
Sony FX3 as a Vlogging camera
33
has touchscreen
includes face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
77
selfie friendly display
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone jack
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Leica CL vs Sony FX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica CL and Sony FX3
 Leica CLSony FX3
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model Leica CL Sony FX3
Category Advanced Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2017-11-21 2021-02-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 370.5mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6014 x 4014 4240 x 2832
Maximum native ISO 50000 102400
Maximum boosted ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 49 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Sony E
Amount of lenses 30 187
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display size 3" 3.00"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/25000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 403g (0.89 lb) 716g (1.58 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 78 x 45mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 1.8") 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 3900
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 600 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-DC12 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots One Two
Retail cost $3,799 $3,900