• 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000

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Differences

Sony A99 II advantages over Leica S3

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 vs 1
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/125 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    849g vs 1260g
    Lighter weight
  • 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
  • More AF points
    79 vs 1
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.5 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 50000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica S3 advantages over Sony A99 II

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs 35mm
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    5 years vs 8 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More viewfinder magnification
    1.09x vs 0.78x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    64.0 vs 42.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    125 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 61 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.

  • Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-1

Sony A99 II
Pentax K-1
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $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 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels
Leica S3
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon 6D Mark II

Sony A99 II
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Leica S3
Canon 6D Mark II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $1332
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A99 II
Nikon D850
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Leica S3
Nikon D850
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Built-in GPS
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Sony A99 II
Pentax K-1 II
  • $3198
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Leica S3
Pentax K-1 II
  • $19
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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