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Leica SL vs Sony A7R

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Leica SL vs Sony A7R Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Introduced October 2015
  • Also referred to as Typ 601
  • Replacement is Leica SL2
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7R II
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Leica SL vs Sony A7R Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Leica SL and Sony A7R, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the SL (24MP) and A7R (36MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The SL was introduced 21 months after the A7R making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SL matches up versus the A7R in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Sony A7R

 SL A7R 
IntroducedOctober 2015February 2014Newer by 21 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Leica SL

 A7R SL 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1230k1040kCrisper display (+190k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Sony A7R

 SL A7R 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Leica SL vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica SL comes with physical measurements of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Look at the Leica SL and Sony A7R in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the SL versus the A7R.

Leica SL vs Sony A7R size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SL and A7R is 67 and 78 respectively.

Leica SL vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SL and A7R.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony A7R to result in greater detail using its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more modern SL provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica SL vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica SL
Portrait photography with Sony A7R
83
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
84
you can focus manually
amazing MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography advice
Sony A7R Street photography advice
69
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
weather proof
very good high ISO (50,000)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lighter than average in class (465 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography advice
Sony A7R Sports photography advice
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
low battery (400 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
62
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
amazing MP (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
weather proofing
slow fps (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (340 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL Travel photography information
Sony A7R Travel photography information
65
weather proof
features touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
low battery (400 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
70
lighter than average in class (465 grams)
weather proofing
amazing MP (36MP)
not so great battery power (340 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica SL
Landscape photography with Sony A7R
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (50,000)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
low battery (400 per charge)
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3")
amazing MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (340 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R as a Vlogging camera
33
touch screen
includes face detection autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
36
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
lighter than average in class (465 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
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Leica SL vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Sony A7R
 Leica SLSony Alpha A7R
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica SL Sony Alpha A7R
Also Known as Typ 601 -
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-10-21 2014-02-13
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 50000 25600
Minimum native ISO 50 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 49 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Sony E
Amount of lenses 30 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dot 1,230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400k dot 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847g (1.87 pounds) 465g (1.03 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 88 95
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 25.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 14.1
DXO Low light score 1821 2746
Other
Battery life 400 images 340 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
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 Two 1
Cost at launch $7,450 $1,898