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Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Sony Alpha A7R IV front
Portability
62
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV 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
  • Revealed October 2015
  • Also Known as Typ 601
  • Replacement is Leica SL2
Sony A7R IV
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 665g - 129 x 96 x 78mm
  • Introduced July 2019
  • Succeeded the Sony A7R III
  • Replacement is Sony A7R V
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Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Leica SL versus Sony A7R IV, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the SL (24MP) and A7R IV (61MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The SL was launched 4 years prior to the A7R IV which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SL grades vs the A7R IV when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Sony A7R IV

 SL A7R IV 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R IV over the Leica SL

 A7R IV SL 
IntroducedJuly 2019October 2015More modern by 45 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1440k1040kClearer screen (+400k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Sony A7R IV

 SL A7R IV 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica SL features external dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R IV has dimensions of 129mm x 96mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 665 grams (1.47 lbs).

Examine the Leica SL versus Sony A7R IV in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the SL against the A7R IV.

Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL and A7R IV is 67 and 62 respectively.

Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizes merely by looking through specifications. The picture below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL and A7R IV.

To sum up, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony A7R IV to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 37 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SL will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography features
Sony A7R IV Portrait photography features
83
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW formats
88
manual focus
high megapixels (61MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography information
Sony A7R IV Street photography information
69
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
features focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (50,000)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides touch to focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography features
Sony A7R IV Sports photography features
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (400 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (61 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery (670 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Travel photography camera
65
weather proof
features focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
not so great battery (400 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
74
good battery (670 CIPA)
environment proofing
has bluetooth
provides touch to focus
high megapixels (61MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7R IV as a Landscape photography camera
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (400 CIPA)
88
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (61 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery (670 shots)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging features
Sony A7R IV Vlogging features
33
touchscreen
provides face detection focus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
37
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Leica SL vs Sony A7R IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Sony A7R IV
 Leica SLSony Alpha A7R IV
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica SL Sony Alpha A7R IV
Also referred to as Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2015-10-21 2019-07-16
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 61 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 9504 x 6336
Maximum native ISO 50000 32000
Maximum boosted ISO - 102800
Min native ISO 50 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 49 567
Lens
Lens support Leica L Sony E
Amount of lenses 30 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dot 5,760 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync.
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/250 secs
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 / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, XAVC S, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 847 grams (1.87 lbs) 665 grams (1.47 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 129 x 96 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 88 99
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 14.8
DXO Low light rating 1821 3344
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 670 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Launch price $7,450 $3,498