Clicky

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100

Portability
79
Imaging
50
Features
31
Overall
42
Leica M8 front
 
Sony Alpha a6100 front
Portability
81
Imaging
70
Features
88
Overall
77

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 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 A6100
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Expand to 51200)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 67 x 59mm
  • Launched August 2019
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 Overview

Here is a thorough overview of the Leica M8 vs Sony A6100, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Leica and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the M8 (10MP) and A6100 (24MP) and the M8 (APS-H) and A6100 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The M8 was unveiled 13 years earlier than the A6100 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the M8 grades against the A6100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Sony A6100

 M8 A6100 

Reasons to pick Sony A6100 over the Leica M8

 A6100 M8 
LaunchedAugust 2019July 2007Fresher by 147 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M8 and Sony A6100

 M8 A6100 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Leica M8 offers physical dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs) and the Sony A6100 has measurements of 120mm x 67mm x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3") along with a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs).

Compare the Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the M8 compared to the A6100.

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M8 and A6100 is 79 and 81 respectively.

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 top view buttons comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M8 and A6100.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M8 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field easier and the Sony A6100 will provide greater detail having an extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older M8 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 sensor size comparison

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M8
Portrait photography with Sony A6100
54
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-H)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
82
you can focus manually
MP count good (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Leica M8 as a Street photography camera
Sony A6100 as a Street photography camera
62
sensor size is good (APS-H)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
above average high ISO (32,000)
no image stabilization
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Leica M8 Sports photography advice
Sony A6100 Sports photography advice
43
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-H)
great battery (550 shots)
doesn't have liveview
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
75
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Travel Comparison

Leica M8 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A6100 as a Travel photography camera
51
great battery (550 per charge)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
86
supports bluetooth
boasts focus via touch
MP count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica M8 Landscape photography info
Sony A6100 Landscape photography info
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor size is good (APS-H)
doesnt have low pass filter
saves RAW files
great battery (550 per charge)
small screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M8 Vlogging advice
Sony A6100 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
79
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone socket
no image stabilization
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Leica M8 vs Sony A6100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M8 and Sony A6100
 Leica M8Sony Alpha a6100
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica M8 Sony Alpha a6100
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Launched 2007-07-31 2019-08-28
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-H APS-C
Sensor measurements 27 x 18mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 486.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3936 x 2630 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 2500 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 425
Lens
Lens support Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1.3 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate - 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Flash off, auto, fill flash, slow sync, rear sync, wireless, hi-speed
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) Yes
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 591 gr (1.30 lb) 396 gr (0.87 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 120 x 67 x 59mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 59 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 663 not tested
Other
Battery life 550 photos 420 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC + Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $4,400 $748