Clicky

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1

Portability
74
Imaging
70
Features
47
Overall
60
Leica M Typ 240 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
82
Features
93
Overall
86

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Leica M Typ 240
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 680g - 139 x 80 x 42mm
  • Launched September 2012
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost 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
  • Announced January 2021
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Leica M Typ 240 and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the M Typ 240 (24MP) and a1 (50MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

Photography Glossary

The M Typ 240 was revealed 9 years prior to the a1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Leica M Typ 240 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the M Typ 240 scores vs the a1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M Typ 240 over the Sony a1

 M Typ 240 a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Leica M Typ 240

 a1 M Typ 240 
AnnouncedJanuary 2021September 2012Fresher by 101 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k920kClearer display (+520k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M Typ 240 and Sony a1

 M Typ 240 a1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica M Typ 240 enjoys external dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 42mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.7") with a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) and the Sony a1 has measurements of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

See the Leica M Typ 240 and Sony a1 in our brand new Camera & 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 at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the M Typ 240 and the a1.

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M Typ 240 and a1 is 74 and 61 respectively.

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The photograph below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M Typ 240 and a1.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony a1 to produce more detail because of its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older M Typ 240 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M Typ 240 Portrait photography info
Sony a1 Portrait photography info
82
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
89
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/400 seconds)
excellent MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Leica M Typ 240 as a Street photography camera
Sony a1 as a Street photography camera
68
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather proofing
very good ISO range (32,000)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M Typ 240
Sports photography with Sony a1
56
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
91
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/32,000s)
high max frames per second (30.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
better than average battery (530 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Leica M Typ 240 Travel photography details
Sony a1 Travel photography details
63
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
74
better than average battery (530 shots)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
excellent MP (50 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M Typ 240
Landscape photography with Sony a1
74
manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse recording
88
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
has double storage slots
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M Typ 240 Vlogging factors
Sony a1 Vlogging factors
26
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone jack
37
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (7680 x 4320 resolution)
comes with microphone port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M Typ 240 and Sony a1
 Leica M Typ 240Sony Alpha a1
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica M Typ 240 Sony Alpha a1
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2012-09-17 2021-01-26
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 24 megapixel 50 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5952 x 3976 8640 x 5760
Maximum native ISO 6400 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Available lenses 59 133
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 920 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 1% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.9x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 30.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings 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
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/400s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 24 fps) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 7680x4320
Video data format Motion JPEG XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680g (1.50 lbs) 737g (1.62 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 42mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.7") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1860 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 530 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One Dual
Price at launch $5,479 $6,498