Leica SL2 vs Sony A9
Portability
57 Imaging
79 Features
83 Overall
80
57 Imaging
79 Features
83 Overall
80
Portability
65 Imaging
73 Features
93 Overall
81
65 Imaging
73 Features
93 Overall
81
Leica SL2 vs Sony A9 Key Specs
Leica SL2
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 47MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 50000
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Leica L Mount
- 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
- Launched November 2019
- Previous Model is Leica SL
Sony A9
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Sony E Mount
- 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
- Announced April 2017
- New Model is Sony A9 II
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In this article, we will be evaluating the Leica SL2 and Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SL2 (47MP) and A9 (24MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (Full frame).
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsThe SL2 was released 2 years later than the A9 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the SL2 matches up against the A9 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica SL2 & Sony Alpha A9. The complete galleries are provided at Leica SL2 Gallery & Sony A9 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Sony A9
| SL2 | A9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | November 2019 |  | April 2017 | More recent by 32 months |
| Screen sizing | 3.2" |  | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
| Screen resolution | 2100k |  | 1440k | Crisper screen (+660k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Leica SL2
| A9 | SL2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Leica SL2 and Sony A9
| SL2 | A9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus |  | More accurate focusing | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
| Touch screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Leica SL2 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Leica SL2 offers outer measurements of 146mm x 107mm x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") having a weight of 835 grams (1.84 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") along with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).
Compare the Leica SL2 and Sony A9 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SL2 vs the A9.
Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SL2 and A9 is 57 and 65 respectively.
Leica SL2 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing technical specs. The visual here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2 and A9.
As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Leica SL2 to result in more detail as a result of its extra 23 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger SL2 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.
Leica SL2 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Portrait photography with Leica SL2
Portrait photography with Sony A9
you can focus manually
amazing MP (47 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Leica SL2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A9 as a Street photography camera
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
weather proofing
very good high ISO (50,000)
no moving screen
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
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Leica SL2 Sports photography details
Sony A9 Sports photography details
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent mode (1/40,000s)
high fps (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (47 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
low battery power (370 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
fast shooting (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery power (650 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Leica SL2 Travel photography details
Sony A9 Travel photography details
weather proofing
has bluetooth
provides touch to focus
amazing MP (47 megapixels)
low battery power (370 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
great battery power (650 CIPA)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsLandscape Comparison
Leica SL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica L mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
amazing MP (47 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (50,000)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
low battery power (370 CIPA)
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
great battery power (650 per charge)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging with Leica SL2
Vlogging with Sony A9
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes external mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary
Leica SL2 vs Sony A9 Specifications
| Leica SL2 | Sony Alpha A9 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Leica | Sony |
| Model | Leica SL2 | Sony Alpha A9 |
| Type | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
| Launched | 2019-11-06 | 2017-04-19 |
| Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | Maestro III | BIONZ X |
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
| Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 35.6 x 23.8mm |
| Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 847.3mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 47 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest resolution | 8368 x 5584 | 6000 x 4000 |
| Highest native ISO | 50000 | 51200 |
| Highest boosted ISO | - | 204800 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW files | ||
| Minimum boosted ISO | 50 | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 225 | 693 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Leica L | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 30 | 121 |
| Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display diagonal | 3.2" | 3" |
| Resolution of display | 2,100k dot | 1,440k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 5,760k dot | 3,686k dot |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78x | 0.78x |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 1800s | 30s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/8000s |
| Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/40000s | 1/32000s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 20.0 frames per sec | 20.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | 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 | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment | ||
| Average | ||
| Spot | ||
| Partial | ||
| AF area | ||
| Center weighted | ||
| 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 | - |
| Highest video resolution | 4096x2160 | 3840x2160 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
| Mic input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 835g (1.84 lb) | 673g (1.48 lb) |
| 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 score | not tested | 92 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 24.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.3 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 3517 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 370 shots | 650 shots |
| Style of battery | Built-in | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | BP-SCL4 | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) |
| Storage slots | Dual | Dual |
| Pricing at launch | $5,995 | $4,498 |