• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 370.5mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Sony A7 advantages over Leica CL

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $819 vs $6995
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.92 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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 340 vs 220 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    70 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Leica CL advantages over Sony A7

  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Newer
    7 years vs 11 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    483g vs 769g
    Lighter weight
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 50 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/25000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

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
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica CL

Review Excerpt

  • Incredibly small body for a fully-featured, full-frame camera; Very high resolution; Hybrid autofocus is reasonably fast and confident; Significantly better burst-shooting performance than A7R; Excellent image quality even at very high sensitivities; Faster x-sync than A7R; Accepts existing Alpha-mount and E-mount lenses, and can optionally crop to APS-C image circle.

  • Grass-is-greener syndrome when compared to its higher-res sibling; Moderate performance; Loud shutter (but electronic first-curtain helps); Mediocre battery life when using electronic viewfinder; Weak low-light autofocus considering its price; Limited selection of native Sony FE lenses.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R

Sony A7
Sony A7R
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels
Leica CL
Sony A7R
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A7 II

Sony A7
Sony A7 II
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Leica CL
Sony A7 II
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Leica CL
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $3195
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Faster shutter
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Sony A6500

Sony A7
Sony A6500
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
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 A7
Fujifilm X-Pro3
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1799
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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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