Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II
79 Imaging
50 Features
31 Overall
42
![Leica M8 front Leica M8 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Leica-M8/Leica-M8-front.jpg)
![Sony Alpha A7S II front Sony Alpha A7S II front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Sony-Alpha-A7S-II/Sony-A7S-II-front.jpg)
68 Imaging
61 Features
76 Overall
67
Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-H Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Revealed July 2007
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 102400 (Expand to 409600)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
- Revealed October 2015
- Replaced the Sony A7S
- Successor is Sony A7S III
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Overview
In this write-up, we are reviewing the Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Leica and Sony. The sensor resolution of the M8 (10MP) and the A7S II (12MP) is very similar but the M8 (APS-H) and A7S II (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
The M8 was manufactured 9 years before the A7S II and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica M8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7S II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the M8 scores against the A7S II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M8 & Sony Alpha A7S II. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica M8 Gallery & Sony A7S II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Sony A7S II
M8 | A7S II |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Leica M8
A7S II | M8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | October 2015 | ![]() | July 2007 | More recent by 99 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+999k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M8 and Sony A7S II
M8 | A7S II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Leica M8 offers exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony A7S II has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).
Contrast the Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the M8 and the A7S II.
![Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II size comparison Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M8-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7S-II-size-comparison.jpg)
Considering size and weight, the portability score of the M8 and A7S II is 79 and 68 respectively.
![Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M8-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7S-II-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specs. The graphic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and A7S II.
All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The M8 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A7S II will offer extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older M8 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.
![Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Leica-M8-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7S-II-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder
![Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Leica-M8-vs-Sony-Alpha-A7S-II-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Specifications
Leica M8 | Sony Alpha A7S II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Sony |
Model type | Leica M8 | Sony Alpha A7S II |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2007-07-31 | 2015-10-12 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-H | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 27 x 18mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
Sensor area | 486.0mm² | 847.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3936 x 2630 | 4240 x 2832 |
Max native ISO | 2500 | 102400 |
Max boosted ISO | - | 409600 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Minimum boosted ISO | - | 50 |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 169 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Leica M | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 59 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1.3 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 1,229 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 2,359 thousand dot |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.78x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | - | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | no built-in flash |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/250 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps]) |
Max video resolution | None | 3840x2160 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 591 gr (1.30 lb) | 627 gr (1.38 lb) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 59 | 85 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.1 | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.3 | 13.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 663 | 2993 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 550 photographs | 370 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | 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 | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Price at launch | $4,400 | $2,767 |