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Leica SL vs Sony a1

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
93
Overall
85

Leica SL vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Leica SL
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 50000
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 847g - 147 x 104 x 39mm
  • Introduced October 2015
  • Other Name is Typ 601
  • New Model is Leica SL2
Sony a1
(Full Review)
  • 50MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 7680 x 4320 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
  • Launched January 2021
Photography Glossary

Leica SL vs Sony a1 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Leica SL and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SL (24MP) and a1 (50MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (Full frame).

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The SL was introduced 6 years before the a1 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SL scores versus the a1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Sony a1

 SL a1 

Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Leica SL

 a1 SL 
LaunchedJanuary 2021October 2015Fresher by 64 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1440k1040kSharper display (+400k dot)

Common features in the Leica SL and Sony a1

 SL a1 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Easily navigate

Leica SL vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Leica SL has got physical measurements of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Sony a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica SL and Sony a1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SL and the a1.

Leica SL vs Sony a1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SL and a1 is 67 and 61 respectively.

Leica SL vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SL and a1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Sony a1 to resolve more detail using its extra 26 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older SL is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Leica SL vs Sony a1 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL as a Portrait photography camera
Sony a1 as a Portrait photography camera
83
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focus
supports RAW files
88
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/400s)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica SL Street photography advice
Sony a1 Street photography advice
69
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
comes with touch to focus
weather proofing
good high ISO (50,000)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
79
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers focus via touch
environment proof
very good high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica SL
Sports photography with Sony a1
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (400 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
90
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (30.0 fps)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery power (530 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica SL
Travel photography with Sony a1
65
weather proofing
comes with touch to focus
MP count good (24MP)
low battery pack (400 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
73
good battery power (530 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers focus via touch
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography advice
Sony a1 Landscape photography advice
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3")
MP count good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (50,000)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (400 CIPA)
88
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (50 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW files
environment proof
good battery power (530 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging info
Sony a1 Vlogging info
33
has touchscreen
has face detection focus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
36
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (7680 x 4320 pxls)
includes external microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Leica SL vs Sony a1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Sony a1
 Leica SLSony Alpha a1
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model Leica SL Sony Alpha a1
Otherwise known as Typ 601 -
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-10-21 2021-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Maestro II -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-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 50 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 6000 x 4000 8640 x 5760
Highest native ISO 50000 32000
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 50 100
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 49 759
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Sony E
Amount of lenses 30 133
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dot 9,437 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.9x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames/s 30.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings no built-in flash Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/400 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) 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 7680x4320
Video data format MPEG-4 XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) Yes
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847 gr (1.87 lbs) 737 gr (1.62 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 88 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1821 not tested
Other
Battery life 400 shots 530 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots Two Two
Price at launch $7,450 $6,498