• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Leica CL

  • Less expensive
    $448 vs $6995
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    75 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Leica CL advantages over Sony A5100

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 67 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 6.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/25000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    50000 vs 25600 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A5100

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

Review Excerpt

  • Very small and comfortable form factor; Very good image quality for its class; New dual video record function; Quick autofocus and good dynamic range.

  • Lacks an EVF and external mode dial; No hot shoe; JPEG processing at higher ISOs not as good as some competing mid-level models.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Leica CL
Samsung NX1000
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $413
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100
Samsung NX1100
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • Hot shoe
Leica CL
Samsung NX1100
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100
Sony A5000
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
Leica CL
Sony A5000
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $298
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony A5100
Sony A6500
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica CL
Sony A6500
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Top deck display
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Fujifilm X-Pro3

Sony A5100
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $348
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
Leica CL
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
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