Leica SL2 vs Sony a1
Portability
57 Imaging
80 Features
83 Overall
81
57 Imaging
80 Features
83 Overall
81
Portability
61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 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 Maximum Shutter
- 4096 x 2160 video
- Leica L Mount
- 835g - 146 x 107 x 83mm
- Introduced November 2019
- Succeeded the Leica SL
Sony a1
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Sony E Mount
- 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
- Introduced January 2021
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Overview
Below, we will be looking at the Leica SL2 vs Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. The resolution of the SL2 (47MP) and the a1 (50MP) is pretty close and they feature the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe SL2 was manufactured 14 months before the a1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SL2 grades vs the a1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Leica SL2 & Sony Alpha a1. The entire galleries are available at Leica SL2 Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Sony a1
| SL2 | a1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen dimension | 3.2" |  | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
| Screen resolution | 2100k |  | 1440k | Sharper screen (+660k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Leica SL2
| a1 | SL2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | January 2021 |  | November 2019 | More modern by 14 months |
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Leica SL2 and Sony a1
| SL2 | a1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | More exact focusing | ||
| Selfie screen |  | No selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Quickly navigate |
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Leica SL2 features outside 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 a1 has proportions of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Look at the Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SL2 against the a1.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SL2 and a1 is 57 and 61 respectively.
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SL2 and a1.
Clearly, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony a1 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged SL2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Leica SL2 Portrait photography features
Sony a1 Portrait photography features
focusing manually
megapixel count high (47 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
has manual focus
above average flash sync speed (1/400s)
high megapixels (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
Photography GlossaryStreet Comparison
Street photography with Leica SL2
Street photography with Sony a1
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (50,000)
screen does not articulate
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
provides touch focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (32,000)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesSports Comparison
Leica SL2 Sports photography factors
Sony a1 Sports photography factors
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/40,000s)
high frames per second (20.0 fps)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (47 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
terrible battery (370 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (30.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (50MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
better than average battery (530 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideTravel Comparison
Leica SL2 Travel photography advice
Sony a1 Travel photography advice
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
features focus by touch
megapixel count high (47MP)
terrible battery (370 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
high megapixels (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesLandscape Comparison
Leica SL2 Landscape photography details
Sony a1 Landscape photography details
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (47 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (50,000)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
terrible battery (370 per charge)
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (50 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
two card slots
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Leica SL2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (7680 x 4320 resolution)
does have external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Specifications
| Leica SL2 | Sony Alpha a1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Leica | Sony |
| Model type | Leica SL2 | Sony Alpha a1 |
| Category | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
| Introduced | 2019-11-06 | 2021-01-26 |
| Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Maestro III | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
| Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
| Sensor surface area | 864.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 47 megapixels | 50 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 8368 x 5584 | 8640 x 5760 |
| Maximum native ISO | 50000 | 32000 |
| Maximum boosted ISO | - | 102400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Lowest boosted ISO | 50 | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| AF touch | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| AF single | ||
| Tracking AF | ||
| AF selectice | ||
| AF center weighted | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| Live view AF | ||
| Face detect focusing | ||
| Contract detect focusing | ||
| Phase detect focusing | ||
| Total focus points | 225 | 759 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Leica L | Sony E |
| Amount of lenses | 30 | 133 |
| Crop factor | 1 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 2,100k dots | 1,440k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | 5,760k dots | 9,437k dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.78x | 0.9x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 1800 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
| Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/40000 seconds | 1/32000 seconds |
| Continuous shooting rate | 20.0 frames/s | 30.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
| Flash settings | no built-in flash | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/400 seconds |
| 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 | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) |
| Maximum video resolution | 4096x2160 | 7680x4320 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 |
| Mic port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | Yes |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 835g (1.84 lbs) | 737g (1.62 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 146 x 107 x 83mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.3") | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 370 images | 530 images |
| Style of battery | Built-in | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | BP-SCL4 | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes | Yes |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Type of storage | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported on slot 1) | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
| Card slots | Dual | Dual |
| Pricing at launch | $5,995 | $6,498 |