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Leica SL vs Sony A9

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Leica SL vs Sony A9 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
  • Additionally Known as Typ 601
  • Replacement is Leica SL2
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Revealed April 2017
  • Newer Model is Sony A9 II
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Leica SL vs Sony A9 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Leica SL versus Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the SL (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is very well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The SL was revealed 18 months earlier than the A9 making them a generation away from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SL grades against the A9 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Sony A9

 SL A9 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Leica SL

 A9 SL 
RevealedApril 2017October 2015Newer by 18 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1040kClearer display (+400k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Sony A9

 SL A9 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Leica SL vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Leica SL offers external 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 A9 has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Contrast the Leica SL versus Sony A9 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the SL compared to the A9.

Leica SL vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL and A9 is 67 and 65 respectively.

Leica SL vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specs. The picture underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SL and A9.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical MP therefore you should expect similar quality of files although you will want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The more aged SL is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica SL vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography factors
Sony A9 Portrait photography factors
83
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
84
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography features
Sony A9 Street photography features
69
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
environment proof
above average ISO range (50,000)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica SL
Sports photography with Sony A9
67
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (400 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
87
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/32,000 seconds)
max fps high (20.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery (650 per charge)
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL as a Travel photography camera
Sony A9 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proof
supports focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
terrible battery life (400 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
74
good battery (650 CIPA)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
provides focus via touch
decent megapixels (24MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica SL as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (50,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (400 CIPA)
86
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery (650 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica SL
Vlogging with Sony A9
33
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
37
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Leica SL vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Sony A9
 Leica SLSony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica SL Sony Alpha A9
Also Known as Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Released 2015-10-21 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 50000 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 50 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 49 693
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony E
Number of lenses 30 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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) -
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 847 gr (1.87 pounds) 673 gr (1.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 88 92
DXO Color Depth rating 25.0 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.4 13.3
DXO Low light rating 1821 3517
Other
Battery life 400 photographs 650 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots 2 2
Price at launch $7,450 $4,498