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Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68
Imaging
62
Features
76
Overall
67

Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Key Specs

Leica M8
(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
Sony A7S II
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
RevealedOctober 2015July 2007More recent by 99 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k230kCrisper 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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M8
Portrait photography with Sony A7S II
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
69
focusing manually
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 Street photography factors
Sony A7S II Street photography factors
62
decent sensor size (APS-H)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
78
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M8 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Sports photography camera
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent sensor size (APS-H)
great battery (550 per charge)
no liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
lacks phase detect AF
58
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery (370 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M8 Travel photography information
Sony A7S II Travel photography information
51
great battery (550 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
49
weather proof
bad battery (370 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M8
Landscape photography with Sony A7S II
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor size (APS-H)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW formats
great battery (550 shots)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
71
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (102,400)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
low megapixels (12MP)
bad battery (370 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 Vlogging details
Sony A7S II Vlogging details
9
no video recording
35
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Leica M8 vs Sony A7S II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Sony A7S II
 Leica M8Sony 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