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Leica SL vs Sony A7 III

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Sony Alpha A7 III front
Portability
63
Imaging
74
Features
92
Overall
81

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Released October 2015
  • Also Known as Typ 601
  • Renewed by Leica SL2
Sony A7 III
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 650g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Previous Model is Sony A7 II
  • Replacement is Sony A7 IV
Photography Glossary

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Leica SL and Sony A7 III, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the SL (24MP) and the A7 III (24MP) is very comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The SL was manufactured 3 years prior to the A7 III which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SL matches up against the A7 III with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Sony A7 III

 SL A7 III 
Display resolution1040k922kCrisper display (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A7 III over the Leica SL

 A7 III SL 
ReleasedFebruary 2018October 2015Newer by 28 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Leica SL and Sony A7 III

 SL A7 III 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica SL offers outside dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Sony A7 III has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Examine the Leica SL and Sony A7 III in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SL against the A7 III.

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SL and A7 III is 67 and 63 respectively.

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through specifications. The picture here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SL and A7 III.

Plainly, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact MP and you should expect comparable quality of photographs however you might want to consider the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged SL will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Sony A7 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography details
Sony A7 III Portrait photography details
83
has manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
84
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography details
Sony A7 III Street photography details
69
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
comes with touch focus
weather proof
good high ISO (50,000)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
78
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography information
Sony A7 III Sports photography information
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (400 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery life (610 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica SL
Travel photography with Sony A7 III
65
weather proof
comes with touch focus
decent MP (24MP)
not so great battery (400 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
73
better than average battery life (610 CIPA)
weather proof
has bluetooth
has touch focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography highlights
Sony A7 III Landscape photography highlights
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (50,000)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (400 CIPA)
85
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery life (610 CIPA)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging advice
Sony A7 III Vlogging advice
33
touch screen
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Leica SL vs Sony A7 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Sony A7 III
 Leica SLSony Alpha A7 III
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica SL Sony Alpha A7 III
Also referred to as Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2015-10-21 2018-02-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Maestro II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 50000 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 49 693
Lens
Lens support Leica L Sony E
Total lenses 30 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 11.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (120p, 60p, 30p, 24p) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (120p, 60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 847g (1.87 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 88 96
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 25.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 14.7
DXO Low light rating 1821 3730
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 610 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 2 2
Cost at release $7,450 $1,998