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Leica SL vs Sony FX3

Portability
67
Imaging
72
Features
78
Overall
74
Leica SL front
 
Sony FX3 front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 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
  • Alternative Name is Typ 601
  • Later Model is Leica SL2
Sony FX3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Raise to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 716g - 130 x 78 x 85mm
  • Released February 2021
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Leica SL vs Sony FX3 Overview

Following is a in-depth review of the Leica SL versus Sony FX3, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the SL (24MP) and FX3 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The SL was announced 6 years prior to the FX3 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Leica SL being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony FX3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SL scores vs the FX3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL over the Sony FX3

 SL FX3 

Reasons to pick Sony FX3 over the Leica SL

 FX3 SL 
ReleasedFebruary 2021October 2015More modern by 65 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1440k1040kClearer screen (+400k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Leica SL and Sony FX3

 SL FX3 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3.00"Identical screen measurements
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica SL features exterior dimensions of 147mm x 104mm x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 847 grams (1.87 lbs) and the Sony FX3 has sizing of 130mm x 78mm x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 716 grams (1.58 lbs).

Check the Leica SL versus Sony FX3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the SL vs the FX3.

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SL and FX3 is 67 and 62 respectively.

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SL and FX3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Leica SL to offer you extra detail with its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SL is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 sensor size comparison

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL vs Sony FX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL Portrait photography advice
Sony FX3 Portrait photography advice
83
you can focus manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
71
manual focus
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica SL
Street photography with Sony FX3
69
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
offers focus by touch
weather proof
good high ISO (50,000)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports focus by touch
weather proof
very good high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Leica SL Sports photography factors
Sony FX3 Sports photography factors
67
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (400 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery (600 CIPA)
supports phase detect auto focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Leica SL as a Travel photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Travel photography camera
65
weather proof
offers focus by touch
MP count good (24 megapixels)
bad battery (400 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
71
great battery (600 shots)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
display is selfie friendly
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica SL Landscape photography details
Sony FX3 Landscape photography details
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (50,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (400 shots)
77
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3.00 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
very good high ISO (102,400)
saves RAW files
weather proof
great battery (600 CIPA)
has double storage slots
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL Vlogging features
Sony FX3 Vlogging features
33
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
77
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
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Leica SL vs Sony FX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL and Sony FX3
 Leica SLSony FX3
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model Leica SL Sony FX3
Otherwise known as Typ 601 -
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-10-21 2021-02-23
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Maestro II -
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 24MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 50000 102400
Max boosted ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 50 80
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Sony E
Number of lenses 30 187
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.00 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 4,400 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes no built-in flash no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 847 grams (1.87 pounds) 716 grams (1.58 pounds)
Dimensions 147 x 104 x 39mm (5.8" x 4.1" x 1.5") 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 88 85
DXO Color Depth score 25.0 24.2
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 13.4
DXO Low light score 1821 3900
Other
Battery life 400 pictures 600 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 NP-FZ100
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) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots 2 2
Pricing at launch $7,450 $3,900