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Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R

Portability
79
Imaging
65
Features
28
Overall
50
Leica M-E Typ 220 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R Key Specs

Leica M-E Typ 220
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 2500
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Announced September 2012
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Replacement is Sony A7R II
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Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the M-E Typ 220 (18MP) and A7R (36MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (Full frame).

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The M-E Typ 220 was revealed 17 months earlier than the A7R making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica M-E Typ 220 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the M-E Typ 220 scores against the A7R when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-E Typ 220 over the Sony A7R

 M-E Typ 220 A7R 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Leica M-E Typ 220

 A7R M-E Typ 220 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014September 2012More recent by 17 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1230k230kCrisper display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony A7R

 M-E Typ 220 A7R 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica M-E Typ 220 comes with external measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Sony A7R has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

See the Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the M-E Typ 220 versus the A7R.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the M-E Typ 220 and A7R is 79 and 78 respectively.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the M-E Typ 220 and A7R.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony A7R to give you extra detail because of its extra 18MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images a little more aggressively. The older M-E Typ 220 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7R as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
84
focusing manually
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Street photography features
Sony A7R Street photography features
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
80
has a tilting screen
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
lighter than competition (465g)
great high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Sports photography info
Sony A7R Sports photography info
46
good resolution (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview feature
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent MP (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proofing
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (340 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7R as a Travel photography camera
57
good resolution (18MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition (465g)
environment proofing
excellent MP (36MP)
terrible battery (340 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Landscape photography info
Sony A7R Landscape photography info
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good resolution (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
78
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Vlogging details
Sony A7R Vlogging details
9
no video
36
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
lighter than competition (465 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony A7R
 Leica M-E Typ 220Sony Alpha A7R
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model Leica M-E Typ 220 Sony Alpha A7R
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-09-17 2014-02-13
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 2500 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 1,230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT color LCD Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 4.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585g (1.29 lbs) 465g (1.03 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 69 95
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 25.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 14.1
DXO Low light score 787 2746
Other
Battery life - 340 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $1,898