Clicky

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1

Portability
79
Imaging
65
Features
28
Overall
50
Leica M-E Typ 220 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Leica M-E Typ 220
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 2500
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 585g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Released September 2012
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Released January 2021
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the M-E Typ 220 (18MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The M-E Typ 220 was manufactured 9 years before the a1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Leica M-E Typ 220 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the M-E Typ 220 grades against the a1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M-E Typ 220 over the Sony a1

 M-E Typ 220 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Leica M-E Typ 220

 a1 M-E Typ 220 
ReleasedJanuary 2021September 2012Fresher by 101 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1440k230kSharper screen (+1210k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a1

 M-E Typ 220 a1 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Leica M-E Typ 220 has got outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) and the Sony a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Check the Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the M-E Typ 220 against the a1.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M-E Typ 220 and a1 is 79 and 61 respectively.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by going over specs. The visual underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the M-E Typ 220 and a1.

All in all, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Sony a1 to offer more detail due to its extra 32 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older M-E Typ 220 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
89
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/400 seconds)
high MP (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Street photography factors
Sony a1 Street photography factors
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (32,000)
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-E Typ 220
Sports photography with Sony a1
46
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect auto focus
91
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast continuous shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery power (530 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Travel photography factors
Sony a1 Travel photography factors
57
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
74
great battery power (530 shots)
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
high MP (50MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony a1 as a Landscape photography camera
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
88
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (50 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery power (530 per charge)
has dual storage slots
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Vlogging information
Sony a1 Vlogging information
9
no video
37
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pixels)
includes microphone jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a1
 Leica M-E Typ 220Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica M-E Typ 220 Sony Alpha a1
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2012-09-17 2021-01-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 50MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5212 x 3472 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 2500 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Available lenses 59 133
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution None 7680x4320
Video format - XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 585g (1.29 pounds) 737g (1.62 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 69 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 787 not tested
Other
Battery life - 530 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots 1 Two
Cost at launch $0 $6,498