Sony A5100 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Sony A5100 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A5100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A5100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A5100.
Compare Sony A5100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A5100 conclusion.

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.

Succeeded by the Leica SL2
Compare SL (Typ 601) vs SL2
Compare Sony A5100 vs Leica SL2

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Differences

Sony A5100 advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$448 vs $3605*
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sony A5100

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Fast startup
~1.10 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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.
SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark A5100 test data on DxO Mark

1,821 vs 1,347 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
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/250 vs 1/160 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 67 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 6.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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

User reviews

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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.
Read our Sony A5100 Review

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 Samsung NX1000

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1000

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$414
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1000

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Samsung NX1000

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$414
APS-C

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Samsung NX1000

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Sony A5100

Samsung NX1100

$348
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

$450
APS-C

Higher-res screen
Hot shoe

Compare Sony A5100 vs Samsung NX1100

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Samsung NX1100

$3802
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$450
APS-C

Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Samsung NX1100

Compared to Sony A5000

Sony A5100

Sony A5000

$348
APS-C

Touchscreen
Higher effective ISO

$298
APS-C

Less expensive

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A5000

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A5000

$3802
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$298
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A5000

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Sony A5100

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$348
APS-C

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs 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)

Compared to Sony A9

Sony A5100

Sony A9

$348
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$2995
35mm

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony A5100 vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2995
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

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