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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
81
Features
93
Overall
85

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
88
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
90
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
73
better than average battery (530 CIPA)
weather proofing
has bluetooth
provides touch focus
high megapixels (50MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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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
36
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