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Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500

Portability
55 Imaging
75 Features
84 Overall
78
Leica SL2-S front
 
Sony Alpha a3500 front
Portability
69 Imaging
62 Features
54 Overall
58

Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 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
  • Revealed December 2020
Sony a3500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Launched March 2014
  • Superseded the Sony A3000
Photography Glossary

Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Leica SL2-S and Sony a3500, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the SL2-S (24MP) and the a3500 (20MP) is pretty comparable but the SL2-S (Full frame) and a3500 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The SL2-S was manufactured 6 years after the a3500 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summation of how the SL2-S scores vs the a3500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2-S over the Sony a3500

          

          

            
 SL2-S a3500 
LaunchedDecember 2020March 2014Newer by 82 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k230kClearer screen (+1870k dot)
Touch friendly screen  Quickly navigate
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Sony a3500 over the Leica SL2-S

          

          

            
 a3500 SL2-S 
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Leica SL2-S and Sony a3500

          

          

            
 SL2-S a3500 
Focus manually  Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen  Lack of selfie screen
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 Physical Comparison

          

          

            
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica SL2-S features exterior measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") along with a weight of 931 grams (2.05 lbs) and the Sony a3500 has dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).
Take a look at the Leica SL2-S and Sony a3500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SL2-S compared to the a3500.
Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SL2-S and a3500 is 55 and 69 respectively.
Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
Typically, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2-S and a3500.
As you can see, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SL2-S due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Leica SL2-S will show more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots more aggressively. The younger SL2-S provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

            Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


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Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
Leica SL2-S Portrait photography info
Sony a3500 Portrait photography info
85
 manual focus
 good MP (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 has face detection focusing
 saves RAW formats
77
 focusing manually
 good  resolution (20MP)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 has face detect focus
 exports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Leica SL2-S Street photography info
Sony a3500 Street photography info
66
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 saves RAW formats
 offers touch to focus
 environment sealing
 above average high ISO (50,000)
 no articulating screen
 heavier than competition in class (931g)
56
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 exports RAW files
 no moving screen
 no image stabilization
 heavier than competitors in class (411 grams)
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Sports Comparison
Leica SL2-S Sports photography features
Sony a3500 Sports photography features
82
 great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
 quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
 fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good MP (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 has tracking autofocus
 environment sealing
 better than average battery (510 per charge)
 has no phase detect AF
59
 good  resolution (20MP)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 has tracking focus
 great battery power (470 per charge)
 painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
 no image stabilization
 doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Leica SL2-S
Travel photography with Sony a3500
65
 better than average battery (510 shots)
 environment sealing
 supports bluetooth
 offers touch to focus
 good MP (24 megapixels)
 heavier than competition in class (931g)
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
60
 great battery power (470 per charge)
 good  resolution (20MP)
 has built in flash
 no Time Lapse function
 heavier than competitors in class (411g)
 display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison
Leica SL2-S Landscape photography information
Sony a3500 Landscape photography information
85
 manual focus
 switch lenses (Leica L mount)
 screen size is good (3.2 inches)
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good MP (24 megapixels)
 sensor size is great (Full frame)
 does not have anti-alias filter
 above average high ISO (50,000)
 saves RAW formats
 environment sealing
 better than average battery (510 CIPA)
 two card slots
70
 focusing manually
 interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
 screen is a good size (3 inches)
 good  resolution (20 megapixels)
 sensor size is nice (APS-C)
 exports RAW files
 great battery power (470 shots)
 no image stabilization
 no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Leica SL2-S
Vlogging with Sony a3500
32
 built-in touchscreen
 image stabilization (Sensor based)
 has face detection focusing
 high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
 includes external mic socket
 doesn't offer selfie friendly display
 heavier than competition in class (931g)
26
 has face detect focus
 good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
 display isn't selfie friendly
 no image stabilization
 no mic socket
 heavier than competitors in class (411 grams)
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Leica SL2-S vs Sony a3500 Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2-S and Sony a3500
 Leica SL2-SSony Alpha a3500
General Information
Brand Name Leica Sony
Model Leica SL2-S Sony Alpha a3500
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2020-12-10 2014-03-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and  16:9
Full resolution 6000 x 4000 5456 x 3632
Max native ISO 50000 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format    
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
AF touch    
AF continuous    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
Selective AF    
AF center weighted    
Multi area AF    
AF live view    
Face detect AF    
Contract detect AF    
Phase detect AF    
Number of focus points 225 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Sony E
Available lenses 36 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,100k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch friendly    
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.47x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 1800 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manual mode    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash options no built-in flash Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
WB bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment    
Average    
Spot    
Partial    
AF area    
Center weighted    
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 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, H.264
Mic port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 931 gr (2.05 pounds) 411 gr (0.91 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 510 photos 470 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse recording    
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) -
Card slots Dual 1
Cost at launch $4,895 $398