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Leica M8 vs Sony A7

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
70
Features
80
Overall
74

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 Key Specs

Leica M8
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-H Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 2500
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Announced July 2007
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Newer Model is Sony A7 II
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Leica M8 vs Sony A7 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Leica M8 versus Sony A7, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and A7 (24MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and A7 (Full frame) have different sensor size.

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The M8 was introduced 7 years earlier than the A7 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Leica M8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the M8 matches up versus the A7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Sony A7

 M8 A7 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Leica M8

 A7 M8 
LaunchedJanuary 2014July 2007More modern by 78 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1230k230kSharper display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M8 and Sony A7

 M8 A7 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Leica M8 offers exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Sony A7 has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

Look at the Leica M8 versus Sony A7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the M8 against the A7.

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M8 and A7 is 79 and 78 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The image here should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M8 and A7.

All in all, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M8 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A7 will give you extra detail using its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged M8 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography advice
Sony A7 Portrait photography advice
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (10 megapixels)
82
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 Street photography advice
Sony A7 Street photography advice
62
good sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proof
lighter than average in class (474g)
good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography information
Sony A7 Sports photography information
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good sensor size (APS-H)
better than average battery (550 CIPA)
does not have liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
lack of phase detect autofocus
66
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low battery pack (340 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M8
Travel photography with Sony A7
51
better than average battery (550 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
69
lighter than average in class (474g)
weather proof
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
low battery pack (340 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 Landscape photography factors
Sony A7 Landscape photography factors
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good sensor size (APS-H)
no anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (550 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
75
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
good megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no image stabilization
low battery pack (340 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
35
features face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
lighter than average in class (474 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Leica M8 vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Sony A7
 Leica M8Sony Alpha A7
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica M8 Sony Alpha A7
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2007-07-31 2014-01-22
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H Full frame
Sensor dimensions 27 x 18mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor area 486.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3936 x 2630 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 2500 25600
Minimum native ISO 160 50
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 117
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Amount of lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1.3 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 591 grams (1.30 lbs) 474 grams (1.04 lbs)
Physical 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 Overall score 59 90
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 24.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 14.2
DXO Low light score 663 2248
Other
Battery life 550 shots 340 shots
Battery format Battery Pack 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 shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $4,400 $798