• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 33.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

Buy From

Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sony A7 IV

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 5.12 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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 79 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 828 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 IV advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Less expensive
    $2298 vs $3605*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Newer
    3 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    3680k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    33.0 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution 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

  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)
Body Only
All SL (Typ 601) Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7 IV
Body Only
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 28-70mm Lens
All A7 IV Deals

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

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 IV
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A7 IV 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 IV
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Rear display
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compare Sony A7 IV 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 IV
Sony A9
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Sony A9

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Nikon Z7 II
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Built-in GPS
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Nikon Z7 II

Sony A7 IV
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2330
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Nikon Z7 II

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 IV
Nikon Z6 II
  • $2231
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A7 IV vs Nikon Z6 II

Compare Other Cameras?