Clicky

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100

Portability
79
Imaging
65
Features
28
Overall
50
Leica M-E Typ 220 front
 
Sony Alpha a5100 front
Portability
89
Imaging
66
Features
74
Overall
69

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 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 a5100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 283g - 110 x 63 x 36mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replaced the Sony a5000
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a5100, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the M-E Typ 220 (18MP) and a5100 (24MP) and the M-E Typ 220 (Full frame) and a5100 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The M-E Typ 220 was manufactured 23 months prior to the a5100 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the M-E Typ 220 grades vs the a5100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M-E Typ 220 over the Sony a5100

 M-E Typ 220 a5100 

Reasons to pick Sony a5100 over the Leica M-E Typ 220

 a5100 M-E Typ 220 
LaunchedAugust 2014September 2012More recent by 23 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a5100

 M-E Typ 220 a5100 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Leica M-E Typ 220 provides physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 585 grams (1.29 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Check out the Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a5100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the M-E Typ 220 and the a5100.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M-E Typ 220 and a5100 is 79 and 89 respectively.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the M-E Typ 220 and a5100.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The M-E Typ 220 because of its bigger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony a5100 will offer extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older M-E Typ 220 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 sensor size comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M-E Typ 220
Portrait photography with Sony a5100
71
focusing manually
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
72
focusing manually
decent MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M-E Typ 220
Street photography with Sony a5100
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
82
has a tilting screen
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-E Typ 220
Sports photography with Sony a5100
46
good resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
68
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (400 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Travel photography features
Sony a5100 Travel photography features
57
good resolution (18MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
80
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
offers touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 Landscape photography features
Sony a5100 Landscape photography features
61
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse mode
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-E Typ 220 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a5100 as a Vlogging camera
9
can't record video
34
has touchscreen
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Leica M-E Typ 220 vs Sony a5100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-E Typ 220 and Sony a5100
 Leica M-E Typ 220Sony Alpha a5100
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica M-E Typ 220 Sony Alpha a5100
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-09-17 2014-08-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 2500 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 179
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Amount of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Flash off, auto, fill-flaw, slow sync, redeye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p, 25p), 1280 x 720 (120p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB none USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 585 grams (1.29 lb) 283 grams (0.62 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 63 x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 69 80
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 12.7
DXO Low light score 787 1347
Other
Battery life - 400 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous (3-5 shot))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $0 $448