Clicky

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9

Portability
55
Imaging
77
Features
84
Overall
79
Leica SL2-S front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Leica SL2-S
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 931g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Launched December 2020
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand 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
  • Introduced April 2017
  • Refreshed by Sony A9 II
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Leica SL2-S and Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Leica and Sony. The resolution of the SL2-S (24MP) and the A9 (24MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (Full frame).

Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

The SL2-S was announced 3 years later than the A9 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SL2-S grades vs the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica SL2-S over the Sony A9

 SL2-S A9 
IntroducedDecember 2020April 2017Fresher by 45 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kCrisper screen (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Leica SL2-S

 A9 SL2-S 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Leica SL2-S and Sony A9

 SL2-S A9 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica SL2-S features physical measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") having a weight of 931 grams (2.05 lbs) and the Sony A9 has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Look at the Leica SL2-S and Sony A9 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 select at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SL2-S compared to the A9.

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL2-S and A9 is 55 and 65 respectively.

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing specifications. The photograph below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2-S and A9.

Plainly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos but you would want to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more recent SL2-S will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica SL2-S as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
86
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW files
84
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Leica SL2-S Street photography advice
Sony A9 Street photography advice
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (50,000)
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors (931g)
79
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
includes touch focus
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
Supernova astonishes astronomers in ancient 12th century observations

Sports Comparison

Leica SL2-S Sports photography info
Sony A9 Sports photography info
83
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
high frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery (510 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
87
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 fps)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
great battery (650 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Leica SL2-S Travel photography details
Sony A9 Travel photography details
65
great battery (510 per charge)
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (24MP)
heavier than competitors (931 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
74
great battery (650 CIPA)
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica SL2-S Landscape photography features
Sony A9 Landscape photography features
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (50,000)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great battery (510 shots)
has double storage slots
86
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
great battery (650 CIPA)
two card slots
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Leica SL2-S Vlogging info
Sony A9 Vlogging info
32
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (931g)
37
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
YouTube trialing AI that fast-forwards to the best video segments

Leica SL2-S vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2-S and Sony A9
 Leica SL2-SSony Alpha A9
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model type Leica SL2-S Sony Alpha A9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2020-12-10 2017-04-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor 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 100 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 225 693
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Sony E
Total lenses 36 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 2,100 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1800s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s 1/32000s
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames per second 20.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 400 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p / 200 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 931 gr (2.05 lbs) 673 gr (1.48 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 92
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 510 photographs 650 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-SCL4 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Card slots Two Two
Retail price $4,895 $4,498