• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Sony A7 advantages over Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 3.86 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) advantages over Sony A7

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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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Buy the Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Black)
  • Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Black)
  • Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) (Gray)
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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.

  • Read our Sony A7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R

Sony A7
Sony A7R
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More pixels

Compare Sony A7 vs Sony A7R

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Sony A7R
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1399
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Sony A7R

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Sony A7
Panasonic LX100
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A7 vs Panasonic LX100

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Panasonic LX100
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Panasonic LX100

Compared to Sony A7 II

Sony A7
Sony A7 II
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Sony A7 vs Sony A7 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Sony A7 II
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1077
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Sony A7 II

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

Compare Sony A7 vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

Compared to Panasonic LX100 II

Sony A7
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $748
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Sony A7 vs Panasonic LX100 II

Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
Panasonic LX100 II
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Leica D-LUX (Typ 109) vs Panasonic LX100 II

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