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Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850

Portability
65
Imaging
41
Features
38
Overall
39
Leica Digilux 3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 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
  • Launched September 2006
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 Overview

Following is a comprehensive overview of the Leica Digilux 3 and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the Digilux 3 (7MP) and A850 (25MP) and the Digilux 3 (Four Thirds) and A850 (Full frame) use different sensor size.

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The Digilux 3 was announced 4 years earlier than the A850 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the Digilux 3 grades against the A850 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica Digilux 3 over the Sony A850

 Digilux 3 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Leica Digilux 3

 A850 Digilux 3 
ReleasedApril 2010September 2006More modern by 43 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k207kSharper screen (+715k dot)

Common features in the Leica Digilux 3 and Sony A850

 Digilux 3 A850 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica Digilux 3 comes with outer dimensions 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 A850 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica Digilux 3 and Sony A850 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the Digilux 3 and the A850.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Digilux 3 and A850 is 65 and 54 respectively.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing technical specs. The picture here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Digilux 3 and A850.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Digilux 3 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Sony A850 will produce greater detail with its extra 18MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged Digilux 3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Portrait photography details
Sony A850 Portrait photography details
54
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (7MP)
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is excellent (25 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 as a Street photography camera
Sony A850 as a Street photography camera
58
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (606 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Sports photography details
Sony A850 Sports photography details
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (7 megapixels)
71
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is excellent (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Travel photography information
Sony A850 Travel photography information
50
lighter than competition (606 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (7 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
55
environment proof
sensor resolution is excellent (25MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
47
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (7MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is excellent (25MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
no liveview feature
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica Digilux 3 Vlogging information
Sony A850 Vlogging information
9
no video recording
9
no video recording
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Leica Digilux 3 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica Digilux 3 and Sony A850
 Leica Digilux 3Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model type Leica Digilux 3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2006-09-14 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3136 x 2352 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 207 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.47x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed B+ seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606 gr (1.34 lbs) 895 gr (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC card Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single Two
Launch cost $1,999 $0