Leica SL vs Sony a5100

On this page, we will be looking at the Leica SL vs Sony a5100, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Sony. The resolution of the SL (24MP) and the a5100 (24MP) is relatively close but the SL (Full frame) and a5100 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SL was launched 15 months after the a5100 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica SL being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a5100 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SL scores vs the a5100 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica SL & Sony Alpha a5100. The complete galleries are viewable at Leica SL Gallery & Sony a5100 Gallery.

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Leica SL has physical dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) while the Sony a5100 has proportions of 110mm x 63mm x 36mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

Analyze the Leica SL vs Sony a5100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SL and the a5100.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SL and a5100 is 67 and 89 respectively.

Normally, its tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions only by viewing a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL and a5100.

Clearly, both the cameras provide the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The SL uses the bigger sensor which will make achieving bokeh simpler. The newer SL will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.