Leica SL2vs A7 IV
VS
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Commercial, Landscape, Video — Leica SL2 (2019): Leica's most capable system camera — excellent for photographers who want L-mount glass access.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
Leica SL2 (2019)
- Commercial photographers who want Leica quality with modern AF
- Filmmakers who want Leica glass with video capability
A7 IV (2021)
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
Quick take: The leica sl2 has the highest resolution at 47mp; the a7 iv is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Leica SL2 (2019) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,200 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 47.3MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 146.0 × 107.0 × 80.5mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Leica SL2 | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with Leica SL2
Camera family history