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Leica SL2 vs Sony a1

Portability
57 Imaging
80 Features
83 Overall
81
Leica SL2 front
 
Sony Alpha a1 front
Portability
61 Imaging
82 Features
93 Overall
86

Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Key Specs

Leica SL2
(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)
  • 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
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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).

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Leica SL2 over the Sony a1

		

		

			
 SL2 a1 
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k1440kSharper screen (+660k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Leica SL2

		

		

			
 a1 SL2 
IntroducedJanuary 2021November 2019More modern by 14 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
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.
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 size comparison
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SL2 and a1 is 57 and 61 respectively.
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
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 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Leica SL2 Portrait photography features
Sony a1 Portrait photography features
88
 focusing manually
 megapixel count high (47 megapixels)
 sensor size is large (Full frame)
 supports face detection focusing
 saves RAW files
89
 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
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Street Comparison
Street photography with Leica SL2
Street photography with Sony a1
72
 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
79
 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)
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Sports Comparison
Leica SL2 Sports photography factors
Sony a1 Sports photography factors
80
 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
91
 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
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Travel Comparison
Leica SL2 Travel photography advice
Sony a1 Travel photography advice
65
 environment proofing
 connects via bluetooth
 features focus by touch
 megapixel count high (47MP)
 terrible battery (370 CIPA)
 display isn't selfie friendly
74
 better than average battery (530 CIPA)
 weather proofing
 has bluetooth
 provides touch focus
 high megapixels (50MP)
 display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary
Landscape Comparison
Leica SL2 Landscape photography details
Sony a1 Landscape photography details
83
 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)
88
 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
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Vlogging Comparison
 Leica SL2 as a Vlogging camera
 Sony a1 as a Vlogging camera
36
 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
37
 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
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Leica SL2 vs Sony a1 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Leica SL2 and Sony a1
 Leica SL2Sony 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