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Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Launched July 2007
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Earlier Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Lets look much closer at the Leica M8 and Sony NEX-5R, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and NEX-5R (16MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and NEX-5R (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M8 was revealed 6 years before the NEX-5R and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the M8 grades vs the NEX-5R with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Sony NEX-5R

 M8 NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Leica M8

 NEX-5R M8 
ReleasedAugust 2012July 2007More recent by 61 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M8 and Sony NEX-5R

 M8 NEX-5R 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Leica M8 has got physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5R has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Check out the Leica M8 and Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the M8 compared to the NEX-5R.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M8 and NEX-5R is 79 and 89 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements merely by researching specifications. The visual below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the M8 and NEX-5R.

To sum up, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The M8 with its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Sony NEX-5R will result in extra detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The older M8 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M8 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography highlights
54
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
exports RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (10MP)
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M8 Street photography details
Sony NEX-5R Street photography details
62
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
80
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
supports touch focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography advice
Sony NEX-5R Sports photography advice
43
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
good battery power (550 CIPA)
no liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
does not have phase detect auto focus
68
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M8
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
51
good battery power (550 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
73
supports touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M8
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5R
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-H)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW files
good battery power (550 per charge)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M8
Vlogging with Sony NEX-5R
9
can't shoot video
31
touch screen
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing microphone port
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Leica M8 vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Sony NEX-5R
 Leica M8Sony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model type Leica M8 Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2007-07-31 2012-08-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H APS-C
Sensor measurements 27 x 18mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 486.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3936 x 2630 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 2500 25600
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1.3 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - AVCHD
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 591 grams (1.30 lbs) 276 grams (0.61 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 59 78
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 13.1
DXO Low light rating 663 910
Other
Battery life 550 images 330 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $4,400 $750