Leica M Typ 262 vs Sony A7R V: A Hands-On Comparison of Two Full-Frame Titans

Choosing a camera is never just about specs on paper – it’s about how those numbers and features translate into images and experiences in the field. Having spent well over a decade testing hundreds of cameras, from film-era classics to the latest digital marvels, I’ve learned to look beyond flashy marketing and zero in on what actually matters to photographers in real-world scenarios. Today, I want to take a deep dive into two remarkable full-frame mirrorless cameras that couldn’t be more different in philosophy and execution: the Leica M Typ 262 and the Sony A7R V.

If you’re curious about how a minimalist, rangefinder-style Leica stacks up against Sony’s powerhouse enthusiast flagship loaded with technology, you’re in the right place. I’ve put both through rigorous tests covering portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, video, macros, and more. This article is aimed at helping you decide which camera fits your style, needs, and budget.

Let’s get started.

Size & Handling: Classic Minimalism vs Modern Complexity

When it comes to size and ergonomics, these cameras take very different design approaches. The Leica M Typ 262 is a compact, rangefinder-style camera with a classic, almost minimalist layout designed for tactile precision. The Sony A7R V, on the other hand, favors a robust SLR-style body loaded with controls and an articulated screen.

Weighing in at just 600g and sized 139x80x42mm, the Leica M is slim and pocketable compared to the 723g Sony A7R V's burly 131x97x82mm frame. When I first picked up the Leica, I appreciated its “bare essentials” feel - no unnecessary buttons, no distracting dials - just what you need to focus purely on framing and exposure. Its magnesium alloy construction has that iconic solid Leica heft but without excessive bulk.

The Sony, in contrast, feels like a command center for serious photography. Its handgrip is substantial for comfortable handling of heavy lenses and long shoots. Top-mounted dials, abundant customizable buttons, and joystick control aim to give rapid access to most settings without finger gymnastics.

For someone who gravitates toward street and travel photography or values near-silent operation and discretion, the Leica’s smaller footprint and simplicity win points. But for demanding wildlife or sports shooters needing fast access to controls, the Sony’s body architecture is clearly built for that purpose.

Viewing & Interface: Optical Rangefinder vs High-Res EVF and Articulated Touchscreen

The Leica M’s optical rangefinder viewfinder is at the heart of its unique shooting experience. With a 0.68x magnification and manual focusing using a classic dual-image split or superimposed image patch, it demands active engagement from the user. There’s no live view or electronic aid - the M Typ 262 is unapologetically old school.

By contrast, the A7R V offers a 9.44 million-dot resolution electronic viewfinder at 0.9x magnification - arguably the sharpest and most detailed EVF currently available. Add in the 3.2” fully articulated touch display at 2.36 million dots, and it’s a digital playground for previewing images, navigating menus, and touch focusing.

In my hands-on tests, the Leica’s lack of an LCD screen for live view or image review takes some adjustment. It reminds me of the tactile discipline that rangefinder shooting encourages - careful framing and exposure settings before the shot. Meanwhile, the Sony’s EVF provides near-instant exposure preview, focus peaking, magnification for critical focusing, and instant access to menus - a big advantage for fast-moving scenarios and video.

If you’re after a contemplative, deliberate photographic approach, Leica’s optical viewfinder offers an unparalleled, immersive experience. For flexibility and live feedback, especially in dynamic conditions, Sony’s electronic interface takes the win.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Subtlety Meets High Resolution

Both cameras sport full-frame sensors, but the technology and resolution differ considerably.

The Leica M Typ 262’s 24MP sensor with a traditional CMOS design and an anti-aliasing filter is tuned for classic rendering - emphasizing pleasing skin tones, rich colors, and smooth gradations. It pairs with Leica’s legendary glass lenses optimized for sharpness and character, not maximum pixel crunching.

Sony’s A7R V trumpets a whopping 61MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor with no anti-aliasing filter - delivering razor-sharp detail, extraordinary resolution, and superb dynamic range. Sony’s sensor technology combined with the BIONZ XR processor brings high ISO capability up to ISO 102,800 and 16-bit RAW output, yielding extremely flexible files in post-processing.

While the Leica’s files have a unique organic quality hard to describe - especially in skin tones - I found the Sony files to be the ultimate tool for landscape photographers or anyone needing to print massive enlargements. Plus, the Sony’s ability to capture extended ISO ranges makes it far more versatile in low-light and night photography scenarios.

Autofocus & Manual Focus Experience

One glaring distinction here: Leica M Typ 262 is purely manual focus. There is no autofocus system - it’s deliberately designed for photographers who enjoy the tactile feel of manipulating the focusing ring and using the rangefinder patch. This suits portraits or street photography where precise manual control is valued, but requires practice and patience to master.

Sony A7R V, meanwhile, offers a near-comprehensive autofocus system with 693 on-sensor phase detection points, eye tracking for humans and animals, face detection, and continuous AF for moving subjects. Autofocus speeds and accuracy in my testing were outstanding, even challenging fast wildlife or action sequences with confidence.

This makes the Sony a natural choice for sports, wildlife, and event photographers who demand reliable autofocus performance and high burst shooting speeds (10 fps mechanical, 7 fps electronic).

Burst and Shutter Speeds: Action or Deliberation

Leica’s shutter speed range is 1/4000s minimum to a whopping 60 seconds maximum, supporting long-exposure creative play as well. However, max continuous shooting clocks at a pedestrian 3 fps - more suited to moments savored than blazing action.

Conversely, the Sony A7R V features a faster 1/8000s max shutter speed and dual mechanical plus electronic shutters supporting silent shooting and high-speed bursts of 10 fps mechanical or 7 fps electronic. This versatility is critical for sports and wildlife photography where timing is everything.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Minimalist vs Rugged

Both cameras feature premium magnesium alloy bodies, but the Sony benefits from comprehensive weather sealing - resisting dust and moisture - making it more dependable in harsh conditions. Leica’s M Typ 262 lacks official environmental sealing, reflecting its focus on indoor, studio, or fair-weather shooting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: The M-Mount Legacy vs Expansive Sony E-Mount

Leica’s M mount heritage boasts 59 native lenses from ultra-fast 35mm to rare specialist optics - most manual focus, some vintage. These lenses are adored for their weathered character, micro-contrast, and exquisite bokeh.

Sony’s E-mount lens ecosystem is far broader with 187 native lens options available from Sony and third-party manufacturers, covering almost every focal length, aperture, and specialization, including autofocus telephotos optimized for wildlife and sports.

This difference alone often tips the scale depending on your application.

Battery Life and Storage

Leica’s battery details are modestly specified; my experience shows about average endurance enough for a day’s shooting on a single BP-SCL2 cell with a single SD card slot.

Sony A7R V impresses with a large NP-FZ100 battery providing up to 600 shots per charge and dual card slots supporting SD and CFexpress Type A for versatile, reliable storage.

Connectivity and Video

Leica makes no claims for wireless, no HDMI, USB 2.0 only, and no video at all, reinforcing its stills-only philosophy.

Sony A7R V includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, USB 3.2 Gen 2, full-size HDMI ports, and pro-level video specs including 8K recording at 25p, multiple codecs like XAVC S and H.265, headphone and microphone jacks, and advanced stabilization.

This makes Sony a compelling hybrid camera if you need video or connectivity.

Controlled Testing: How They Perform Across Genres

To judge these cameras fairly, I tested both in typical shooting environments matching the disciplines most photographers pursue:

Portrait Photography

For portraits, the Leica’s color science produces sublime skin tones with natural warmth and rendering, supported by classic Leica glass bokeh that smooths backgrounds elegantly despite the relatively modest 24MP resolution.

Sony’s 61MP sensor captures much finer detail and subtle skin textures, plus the autofocus eye-detection makes capturing tack-sharp portraits easier even with challenging subjects or moving models.

Portrait pros who enjoy manual focusing and a slower shooting pace will love Leica; those who want speed and precision might lean Sony.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters will appreciate the Sony’s ultra-high resolution sensor for enormous printing and cropping flexibility, paired with excellent dynamic range for shadows and highlights.

Leica’s files are smaller but offer a timeless filmic quality. Weather sealing is a plus for Sony if outdoors for extended periods.

Wildlife & Sports Photography

Sony’s high burst rates, extensive autofocus system with tracking, eye + animal detection, and long telephoto lens support make it the unambiguous choice here. Leica M is outclassed given no autofocus or rapid shooting capabilities.

Street Photography

Leica M Typ 262 shines with its silent leaf shutter, compact body, and minimalist controls making it an inconspicuous street companion. Street photographers appreciate the manual control and tactile experience.

Sony’s larger size and noisier shutter make it more noticeable, though its superior low light AF helps in dim urban scenes.

Macro Photography

Without in-body stabilization and autofocus, Leica’s macro shooting is purely manual and demanding. Sony’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization combined with autofocus makes capturing sharp macro shots easier.

Night and Astrophotography

Sony’s sensor offers cleaner images at high ISO and long exposure modes suited for dark skies and astrophotography, enhanced by focus aids on its EVF and articulated screen.

Leica’s limitations in ISO range and lack of live view make night shooting challenging, though its long shutter speeds do allow some creativity.

Video Capabilities

No contest here: Leica offers no video. Sony’s 8K video with multiple codecs, full stabilization, and pro audio inputs cater well beyond photography enthusiasts into production work.

Travel Photography

Leica’s compact size and simplicity are travel-friendly, with battery life enough for casual use.

Sony offers versatility with weather sealing, zoom lens options, and extended battery life, though larger size and complexity add to packing considerations.

Professional Workflows

Sony’s RAW support, dual card slots, USB 3.2, and tethering options integrate seamlessly into modern pro workflows.

Leica’s lack of connectivity and slower data transfer limit professional studio or fast turnaround use but complements photographers devoted to print and exhibition work.

Side-by-Side Visual Results

To illustrate practical differences, here are samples from both cameras in the same shooting conditions. Note the differences in resolution, color rendition, and noise performance.

Leica M Typ 262 front Leica M Typ 262 screen back Sony A7R V front Sony A7R V screen back

Performance Scores at a Glance

Based on a combination of sensor performance, autofocus, speed, features, and ergonomics, I assigned overall scores reflecting their relative strengths.

As expected, Sony’s A7R V scores highly on technical capability and versatility, while Leica’s M Typ 262 scores for craftsmanship and shooting experience authenticity.

Genre-Specific Recommendations: Who Should Pick Which?

Each camera carves its niche in photography genres as seen below:

• Leica M Typ 262: Ideal for street, portrait, and travel photographers who value manual engagement, simplicity, and Leica’s legendary optics.

• Sony A7R V: Best suited for landscape, wildlife, sports, macro, night photography, and hybrid photo/videographers needing speed, resolution, and flexibility.

Final Thoughts and Practical Advice

So, which camera should you choose if you’re seriously considering either the Leica M Typ 262 or Sony A7R V?

The Leica M Typ 262 is best understood as a tool for photographers who cherish the rangefinder shooting tradition - embracing minimalism, manual focus, and the unique photographic discipline it demands. It’s less about quantity and convenience, more about quality and craft. The camera is optimized for photographers who want to slow down, think about each frame, and rely on exceptional optics to define their work. Its price reflects the Leica mystique and build quality but limits its appeal for anything beyond stills focused shooting in controlled conditions.

The Sony A7R V is a versatile powerhouse. Its amalgamation of high resolution, incredibly capable autofocus, professional video, and solid build make it an all-around workhorse. Whether you run a commercial studio, chase wildlife at dawn, or capture intimate portraits with exquisite detail, the Sony adapts. The camera’s feature set reflects current digital photography priorities: speed, connectivity, hybrid capability, and workflow integration. All these at a price point that, while significant, delivers far more bang for your buck than the Leica.

If I had to sum up:

• Value-focused photographers who want top-tier image quality and versatility should lean Sony. You get resolution, speed, video, and modern conveniences in one package.

• Purists and those enamored with a shooting philosophy steeped in tradition, simplicity, and the tactile feel of manual focus rangefinders will find the Leica’s unique offering irresistible, despite its modest tech.

Choosing between these two is less about “which is better” and more about “which experience do you want as a photographer?”

Thanks for reading - if you’re curious about my detailed hands-on tests or want side-by-side image comparisons in higher resolution, check out my full video review linked above. Happy shooting!