Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A7 III

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Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A7 III

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35mm 864.0mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 50 - 50,000

Go in depth with our full Leica SL (Typ 601) Review.
How does it shoot? Leica SL (Typ 601) in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the SL (Typ 601).
What’s the bottom line? Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) conclusion.

35mm 847.3mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Sony A7 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7 III.
Compare Sony A7 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7 III conclusion.

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2

Succeeded by the Sony A7 IV
Compare A7 III vs A7 IV

Compare LEICA SL2 vs SONY A7 IV

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Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sony A7 III

Fast startup
~1.10 vs 1.7 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 73 mm
Thinner
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 163 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A7 III advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$1498 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
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
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
A7 III test data on DxO Mark SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark

3,730 vs 1,821 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

710 vs 400 shots
Capture more photos
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Dual card slots
Both provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Both provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
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
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Read A7 III User Reviews

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Kit with 28-70mm Lens

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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.
Read our Leica SL (Typ 601) Review

New 24MP sensor offers excellent image quality; Outstanding high ISO performance and dynamic range; Improved JPEG colors; Improved build quality; Fast autofocus; Excellent 4K video; Very good battery life.
Buffer clearing can be slow even with fast UHS-II cards; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No losslessly compressed RAW option; Dedicated battery charger not included; Menus are still confusing; No built-in flash.
Read our Sony A7 III Review

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

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Sony A7 III

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
Lens selection

$7595
35mm

Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7 III vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$3802
35mm

Rear display
Focus peaking

$5995
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Sony A7 III

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$1531
35mm

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Sony A7 III vs Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Sony A7 III

Sony A9

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
More dynamic range

$2997
35mm

Fast startup
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony A7 III vs Sony A9

Compared to Nikon Z6

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon Z6

$3802
35mm

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

$1396
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

$1396
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6

Compared to Nikon Z6 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Nikon Z6 II

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Thinner

$1747
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon Z6 II

Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6 II

$1531
35mm

Less expensive
NFC

$1747
35mm

Top deck display
Newer

Compare Sony A7 III vs Nikon Z6 II

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