Sony A7R II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Sony A7R II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A7R II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A7R II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A7R II.
Compare Sony A7R II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A7R II 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 Sony A7R III
Compare A7R II vs A7R III

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

Compare SONY A7R III vs LEICA SL2

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Differences

Sony A7R II advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Less expensive
$1798 vs $3605
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
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
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.
A7R II test data on DxO Mark SL (Typ 601) test data on DxO Mark

3,434 vs 1,821 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Lighter weight
640g vs 847g
Lighter weight
More pixels
42.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 50000 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sony A7R II

Bigger pixels
~ 6.00 vs 4.51 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Fast startup
~1.10 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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
Thinner
39 mm vs 60 mm
Thinner
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.6 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 23 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.5 fps vs 5.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
33 vs 23 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 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
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Internal flash
Neither provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Buy the Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Review Excerpt

Superb image quality; Very high resolution; Surprisingly good high ISO performance; Fast autofocus; Compact, comfortable body with lots of customization potential; Bright, roomy and clear viewfinder; Tilting LCD display; Five-axis stabilization; Intuitive Wi-Fi / NFC connectivity
Movie button is poorly located; No touch screen; Not as fast to start up or shoot photos as a similarly-priced SLR; Rather slow buffer clearing; No built-in flash; Single card slot; Not weather-sealed to the same degree as some rivals
Read our Sony A7R II 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 Sony A7R

Sony A7R II

Sony A7R

$2348
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Shoot 4K video

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7R

$3802
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1399
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A7R

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Sony A7R II

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$2348
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

$7595
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Sony A7R II vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

$3802
35mm

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$7595
35mm

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Sony A7R II

Leica M-D (Typ 262)

$2348
35mm

Rear display
Lens selection

$5995
35mm

Bigger pixels
Thinner

Compare Sony A7R II 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 A7R II

Sony A9

$2348
35mm

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$2997
35mm

Bigger pixels
Touchscreen

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A9

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9

$3802
35mm

Built-in GPS
Top deck display

$2997
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7R III

Sony A7R II

Sony A7R III

$2348
35mm

In-camera panoramas

$2151
35mm

Touchscreen
High resolution composite

Compare Sony A7R II vs Sony A7R III

Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A7R III

$3802
35mm

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

$2151
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Leica SL (Typ 601) vs Sony A7R III

Compare Other Cameras?

Sony A7R II vs Leica SL (Typ 601)

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Differences

Sony A7R II advantages over Leica SL (Typ 601)

Higher effective ISO

Leica SL (Typ 601) advantages over Sony A7R II

Similarities

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Body Only

Body Only

Body Only

Body Only

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Your purchases support this site

Body Only

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Compared to Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Compared to Sony A9

Compared to Sony A7R III