Clicky

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV

Portability
57
Imaging
80
Features
83
Overall
81
Leica SL2 front
 
Sony Alpha A7 IV front
Portability
61
Imaging
81
Features
92
Overall
85

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV Key Specs

Leica SL2
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 50000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
  • Revealed November 2019
  • Old Model is Leica SL
Sony A7 IV
(Full Review)
  • 33MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 699g - 129 x 97 x 81mm
  • Launched October 2021
  • Replaced the Sony A7 III
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the SL2 (47MP) and A7 IV (33MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (Full frame).

Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

The SL2 was announced 23 months before the A7 IV which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the SL2 matches up against the A7 IV for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Sony A7 IV

 SL2 A7 IV 
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kCrisper screen (+660k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A7 IV over the Leica SL2

 A7 IV SL2 
LaunchedOctober 2021November 2019Fresher by 23 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Leica SL2 and Sony A7 IV

 SL2 A7 IV 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Leica SL2 enjoys external measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") with a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs) while the Sony A7 IV has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2") having a weight of 699 grams (1.54 lbs).

Contrast the Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SL2 against the A7 IV.

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SL2 and A7 IV is 57 and 61 respectively.

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV top view buttons comparison

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2 and A7 IV.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Leica SL2 to deliver more detail with its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older SL2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV sensor size comparison

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica SL2
Portrait photography with Sony A7 IV
88
has manual focus
megapixel count excellent (47 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
81
focusing manually
amazing megapixels (33 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Leica SL2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A7 IV as a Street photography camera
72
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment sealing
great ISO range (50,000)
no moving screen
79
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica SL2
Sports photography with Sony A7 IV
80
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/40,000s)
fast continuous shooting (20.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (47MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
bad battery life (370 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
84
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (33MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery (600 shots)
has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Leica SL2 Travel photography advice
Sony A7 IV Travel photography advice
65
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count excellent (47 megapixels)
bad battery life (370 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
80
better than average battery (600 CIPA)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
amazing megapixels (33MP)
display is selfie friendly
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Leica SL2 Landscape photography details
Sony A7 IV Landscape photography details
83
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count excellent (47 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (50,000)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
2 card slots
bad battery life (370 per charge)
84
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing megapixels (33 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery (600 CIPA)
2 card slots
doesn't have liveview
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica SL2
Vlogging with Sony A7 IV
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high res video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
80
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic support
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Leica SL2 vs Sony A7 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Sony A7 IV
 Leica SL2Sony Alpha A7 IV
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model Leica SL2 Sony Alpha A7 IV
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2019-11-06 2021-10-21
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Maestro III -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 852.0mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixel 33 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 8368 x 5584 7008 x 4672
Max native ISO 50000 51200
Max boosted ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 225 759
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L Sony E
Total lenses 30 172
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 2,100 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots 3,690 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1800 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/40000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/4096 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM/1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3843840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC HS, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 600 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 500 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 300 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 250 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 240 Mbps, XAVC S-I, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p /
Max video resolution 4096x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-I, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) Yes (USB PD supported)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 835 grams (1.84 lbs) 699 grams (1.54 lbs)
Dimensions 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") 129 x 97 x 81mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.2")
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 370 photos 600 photos
Battery style Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model BP-SCL4 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Card slots Two Two
Launch price $5,995 $2,500