• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 50,000
  • 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 80 - 102,400

Buy From

Differences

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sony A7S III

  • 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 69 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    24.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony A7S III advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Slower slow-motion
    240 fps vs 120 fps
    Supports slower slow-mo
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 8.40 vs 6.00 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
    4 years vs 9 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    614g vs 847g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    1440k vs 1040k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.90x vs 0.80x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Higher extended ISO
    409600 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 A7S III
Body Only
All A7S III 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 A7S III
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More pixels

Compare Sony A7S 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 A7S III
Leica M-D (Typ 262)
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More pixels

Compare Sony A7S 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 A7S III
Sony A9
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $2997
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More pixels

Compare Sony A7S III vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A9 II

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Sony A9 II
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9 II

Sony A7S III
Sony A9 II
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More pixels

Compare Sony A7S III vs Sony A9 II

Compared to Canon R6

Leica SL (Typ 601)
Canon R6
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Canon R6

Sony A7S III
Canon R6
  • $3348
  • 35mm
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2149
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compare Sony A7S III vs Canon R6

Compare Other Cameras?