• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Sony A7 II advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.59 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Thinner
    59 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica S3 advantages over Sony A7 II

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.71x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 24.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 52 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization; Sensor-shift IS brings stabilization to nearly any lens; Much-improved ergonomics and top-deck control layout; 'Mark II' maintains same impressive image quality, dynamic range and high ISO performance; XAVC S 50Mbps video format; Faster start-up time; Hybrid AF performs well with good continuous AF.

  • (Similar to A7): Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Battery life could be better; Low-light AF still not as good as most DSLRs; High ISO JPEGs look over-processed; Slow buffer clearing; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses (but it's getting better).

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7

Sony A7 II
Sony A7
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
Leica S3
Sony A7
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7 II
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Leica S3
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Newer
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Pentax K-1

Sony A7 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
Leica S3
Pentax K-1
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Sony A7 II
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1299
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Sony A7 III

Sony A7 II
Sony A7 III
  • $1148
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Leica S3
Sony A7 III
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS
  • $1531
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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