• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sony A6500

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,821 vs 1,405 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 53 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 231 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A6500 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Less expensive
    $1598 vs $3605*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    453g vs 847g
    Lighter weight
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    110 vs 33 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Superb build quality; Amazing EVF; Great image quality from RAW files; Good high ISO performance; Very good dynamic range; Very low shutter lag; Fast AF on stationary objects; Class-leading ~11 fps burst mode; 4K DCI and UHD video; Full HD up to 120p. Built-in Wi-Fi and GPS; Dual card slots; Decent battery life for its class.

  • Big for a full-frame mirrorless camera; Very slow buffer clearing; Contrast-detect AF system struggles with moving subjects; In-camera JPEGs are muted and dull; Very limited native lens selection (but supports many other Leica lenses via adapters); Expensive.

  • Comfortable, premium body with good controls; Touch-screen for subject selection; Hybrid image stabilization system; Excellent image quality; Better high ISO JPEGs than the A6300; Extremely fast 11.1 fps burst capture; Very deep buffers for raw and JPEG alike; 4K video capture with no pixel binning

  • Pricey for an APS-C camera; JPEG colors aren't the most accurate; Very slow buffer clearing; Laggy touch-pad AF function; Poorly-placed movie button; No headphone jack; Mediocre battery life

The Competition

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $7595
  • 35mm
Sony A6500
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro2

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Sony A6500
Fujifilm X-Pro2
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Higher max flash sync
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Sony A6300

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A6300
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony A6500
Sony A6300
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
  • $5995
  • 35mm
Sony A6500
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A6500
Sony A9
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
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