Leica T Type 701 vs Sony Alpha a6100: A Hands-on, No-Nonsense Comparison for Discerning Photographers

When it comes to choosing your next mirrorless camera, especially in the advanced segment, the options can feel dizzying. Today, I’m breaking down two interesting contenders that appeal to photographers who appreciate modern tech and solid build - but with quite different personalities: the Leica T Type 701 and the Sony Alpha a6100. Having put both through their paces, I’ll lay bare their strengths, quirks, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed choice. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an enthusiast looking to upgrade from a DSLR, or even a cheapskate who prioritizes value, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s plunge in.

First Impressions: Design, Build, and Ergonomics That Speak Volumes

I always start my testing by getting a feel for a camera in hand - the physical size, button layout, and general usability (because tech specs only tell half the story). Here, the Leica T and Sony a6100 offer distinct experiences.

Leica T Type 701: Leica’s signature minimalist, rangefinder-style body is a thing of industrial design beauty. It’s compact and lightweight at just 384g and measures a svelte 134x69x33 mm. The single-piece aluminum unibody feels rock-solid and luxurious; this is a camera you want to show off. The touch-enabled fixed 3.7-inch LCD with 1300K dots is crisp and responsive, but no tilting here, which means awkward angles take some contortion. Leica’s philosophy seems to be “streamline buttons, rely on touch,” something that might polarize users who prefer tactile dials and clubs for thumbs.

Sony a6100: Slightly heavier and chunkier at 396g and 120x67x59 mm, the a6100 is no brick but here’s where Sony favors functionality over showmanship. The body is solid polycarbonate (vs Leica’s aluminum) but still durable and sturdy. The 3-inch LCD is tilting and touch-enabled (922K dots), making it infinitely more versatile in daily shooting, especially for vloggers and casual tripod setups. Ergonomically, Sony’s control layout feels more traditional - with dedicated dials, a good thumb wheel and ample buttons, it suits quick adjustments on the fly.

If you’re someone who values physical feedback and quick access controls, Sony has the edge here. Leica favors sleekness and simplicity but trades off some handling practicality.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Both cameras use APS-C sensors, but their specifications and resulting image quality cater to different audiences.

Leica T Type 701: Sports a 16MP APS-C CMOS sensor, measuring 23.6x15.7mm - slightly bigger than Sony’s (23.5x15.6mm if you’re nitpicking). Leica pairs this with an anti-alias filter and max native ISO at 12,500. Notably, the sensor shines in delivering 12.7 EVs of dynamic range and an excellent color depth of 23 bits (per DxOMark). In real-world tests, Leica’s sensor produces wonderfully natural skin tones, refined highlight roll-off, and superb gradation - hallmarks of the Leica color science many worship. It’s perfect for portrait and fine art photography where color fidelity tips the scale.

Sony a6100: Updates the game with a 24MP APS-C sensor (though slightly smaller overall area). The lack of DxOMark scores leaves some quantitative mystery, but field tests reveal clean, detailed output with punchy contrast. The a6100 handles high ISOs better by quite a margin with max boosted ISO of 51,200, offering more flexibility in low light. Its sensor outputs detailed, sharp JPEGs and raw files well-suited for landscape and wildlife due to higher resolution and excellent high ISO characteristics.

If your priority is nuanced color and “Leica look,” go Leica. If pixel count, low-light latitude, and versatility matter more, the a6100 wins.

Autofocus & Shooting Performance: The Fast and The Reliable

In today’s fast-paced photography world, autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy can make or break a shoot.

Leica T Type 701: Uses contrast-detection AF with face detection and touch-based AF. However, it lacks phase-detection, which means AF speed is moderate at best - max burst rate is 5fps. In real life, hunting AF and slower subject tracking mean this camera struggles in dynamic environments like sports or wildlife.

Sony a6100: By contrast, an AF powerhouse equipped with 425 hybrid phase and contrast detection points spaced across the frame. Sony’s “Real-time Tracking” autofocus runs circles around Leica for lock-on speed, accuracy, and eye/animal eye detection - a feature absent in Leica’s lineup. Burst shooting hits a speedy 11fps with continuous AF. Simply put: for anything moving, action, sports, wildlife - you want the Sony here.

In candid shooting or street photography where speed and accuracy count, the a6100 is the reliable companion.

User Interface and Rear LCD: Adaptability Meets Minimalism

The rear LCD usability again underscores the design philosophies:

• Leica’s 3.7” fixed touchscreen delivers crisp visuals but frustrates for low/high-angle shooting. No selfie-friendly flip screen to be found.
• Sony’s 3” tilting touchscreen feels versatile for street shooters, vloggers, and macro enthusiasts. The UI feels straightforward and customizable, a good balance of touch gestures and physical buttons.

If you like shooting from crazy angles or want a selfie screen for social media content, Sony’s a6100 is your pal.

Image Samples: How Do They Stack Up?

Looking at real-world examples, here’s a side-by-side to judge.

Leica T Type 701 front Leica T Type 701 screen back Sony A6100 front Sony A6100 screen back

Leica: Skin tones are luscious and natural, gentle bokeh with smooth transitions - ideal for portraits. Color renditions carry that classic Leica warmth and subtlety. Lens rendering is beautiful, thanks to Leica’s quality glass, though limited lens options (only 4 native Leica L-mount lenses at launch) can be a bottleneck.

Sony: Images pop with cleaner detail owing to higher megapixels. Dynamic range stops shadows from blocking details in landscapes, and colors are accurate though with a slightly cooler cast. Autofocus delivers tack-sharp wildlife motion shots, something Leica can’t replicate.

Versatility Across Photography Genres: Who Wins Where?

Let me break down specific disciplines to spotlight each camera’s sweet spots.

The Sony a6100 flexes as an all-rounder with excellent autofocus, 4K video, and a broader lens range (121 native Sony E mount lenses and growing). Leica trades speed and modern versatility for exquisite build quality and image aesthetics - with a smaller lens ecosystem.

Build and Weather Resistance: Will It Take a Beating?

Neither camera sports official weather sealing, dust, or splash proofing - a downside if you’re shooting outdoors in inclement weather. Leica’s aluminum body feels hardier to accidental knocks, whereas Sony’s build while decent, relies on polycarbonate.

If you hunt a rugged go-anywhere camera, you’ll have to add protective housing in both cases.

Connectivity, Battery Life, and Storage

Leica T Type 701:

• Wi-Fi built-in, though no Bluetooth or NFC.
• USB 2.0, no HDMI out or mic/headphone jacks (limited for creators).
• Battery life rated at 400 shots - moderate but not stellar.
• Single SD card slot (SD/SDHC/SDXC).

Sony a6100:

• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC allow easy smartphone pairing.
• USB, mini HDMI out, and microphone port for video work.
• Slightly better battery life at 420 shots.
• Single slot but supports SD and Sony’s Memory Stick Duo.

If connectivity and video accessory support matter to you, Sony’s user-friendly interfaces score another point.

Price and Value: How Much Bang for Your Buck?

Here’s where the rubber really hits the road. The Leica T originally lists at around $1600 (used in today’s market, similar pricing still applies), while the Sony a6100 retails for roughly half that at $748.

Given Sony’s superior features, specs, and lens ecosystem for that price, many will consider it the clear value pick. Leica’s appeal rests more with those who covet its design aesthetic, build quality, and that unique rendering style - and are willing to pay a premium for it.

Let’s Look at the Overall Performance Ratings

The Leica T Type 701 scored respectably (75 DxOMark), emphasizing color depth and dynamic range, but lacked speed and lens flexibility. The Sony a6100, while not officially scored by DxOMark, based on my hands-on tests shines in autofocus, video, and versatility metrics.

Genre-specific Comparative Performance

To summarize the genre breakdown:

• Portrait: Leica leads slightly
• Landscape: Tie, with Sony edging due to resolution
• Wildlife/Sports: Sony dominates
• Street: Sony preferred for autofocus, screen, portability
• Video/Travel: Sony blows it out of the water

What About Lens Ecosystems?

The Leica T uses the Leica L mount, launched with just four prime lenses - this is a serious limitation unless you enjoy hunting vintage glass with adapters. No third-party support (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) historically.

Sony E-mount is mature and supports 100+ native lenses from Sony and several third-party players (Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss). This versatility hugely impacts mid to long-term satisfaction and cost.

Final Verdict: Which Camera Should You Buy?

Leica T Type 701: For You If...

• You prioritize exquisite design and tactile build quality that feels like a luxury item.
• You shoot mostly portraits, architecture, or still life where nuanced color and detail matter most.
• You don’t shoot fast action regularly and can live without video 4K or tilt screens.
• You own Leica glass or are ready to invest in an exclusive lens ecosystem.
• You want a camera that’s as much an artistic statement as a tool.

Sony a6100: For You If...

• You need a fast, versatile camera that excels across genres - from wildlife to street, video to landscapes.
• You appreciate modern tech like 4K video, advanced autofocus, and tilt touch screen.
• You want access to a vast selection of lenses without breaking the bank.
• You shoot frequently in low light or fast-moving situations where accuracy and speed are crucial.
• You’re budget-conscious but demand professional features.

Wrapping Up: Camera Choices Through a Practical Lens

In my experience testing thousands of cameras, the Sony a6100 punches above its price point and will serve most photographers extraordinarily well across many disciplines. The Leica T is a jewel, a niche device that rewards a specific type of photographer - one who sees the camera as sculpture and tool combined.

If you want sheer technical performance with ease and value, the Sony a6100 is my pick every time. If you want an heirloom-quality device that inspires you every time you shoot and can forgive some compromises, seek out the Leica T.

Both cameras have stood the test of time in their own ways, and knowing your priorities will make this choice straightforward.

Happy shooting!

Images included per relevant section for clear visual context and comparison.