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Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Leica Digilux 3
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Announced September 2006
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Superseded the Sony A99
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II Overview

Following is a in-depth comparison of the Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and A99 II (Full frame) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The Digilux 3 was brought out 11 years prior to the A99 II which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the Digilux 3 matches up against the A99 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Sony A99 II

 Digilux 3 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Leica Digilux 3

 A99 II Digilux 3 
ReleasedSeptember 2016September 2006More modern by 121 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k207kCrisper display (+1022k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Sony A99 II

 Digilux 3 A99 II 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Leica Digilux 3 offers physical measurements of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") having a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Sony A99 II has specifications of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Contrast the Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the Digilux 3 vs the A99 II.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Digilux 3 and A99 II is 65 and 57 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Digilux 3 and A99 II.

Clearly, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The Digilux 3 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Sony A99 II will produce more detail having its extra 35MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged Digilux 3 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Portrait photography camera
54
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
86
manual focus
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 II Street photography highlights
58
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (606 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica Digilux 3
Sports photography with Sony A99 II
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
not so great battery (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Travel photography advice
Sony A99 II Travel photography advice
50
lighter than competition (606g)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low megapixels (7MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
70
environment sealing
has bluetooth
fantastic megapixels (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Landscape photography advice
Sony A99 II Landscape photography advice
47
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5")
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (7 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
82
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (490 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Vlogging info
Sony A99 II Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
78
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone jack
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Sony A99 II
 Leica Digilux 3Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica Digilux 3 Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2006-09-14 2016-09-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixels 42 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3136 x 2352 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 1600 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 399
Cross type focus points - 79
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 207 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed B+ secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606 grams (1.34 lb) 849 grams (1.87 lb)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 2317
Other
Battery life - 490 photographs
Battery format - NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots One Two
Pricing at launch $1,999 $3,198