• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Sony A900 advantages over Leica V-LUX 3

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 880 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Leica V-LUX 3 advantages over Sony A900

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Lighter weight
    540g vs 939g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A900

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica V-LUX 3
Leica V-LUX 3
All V-LUX 3 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony A850

Sony A900
Sony A850
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony A900 vs Sony A850

Leica V-LUX 3
Sony A850
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash
  • $2219
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Sony A850

Compared to Nikon D800

Sony A900
Nikon D800
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A900 vs Nikon D800

Leica V-LUX 3
Nikon D800
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Nikon D800

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Sony A900
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A900 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Leica V-LUX 3
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2079
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Sony A900
Panasonic FZ200
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A900 vs Panasonic FZ200

Leica V-LUX 3
Panasonic FZ200
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Panasonic FZ200

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Sony A900
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $3000
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony A900 vs Leica V-LUX 4

Leica V-LUX 3
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $1700
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Leica V-LUX 3 vs Leica V-LUX 4

Compare Other Cameras?