Leica SL2vs A7R
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.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
Who should buy what
Leica SL2 (2019)
- Commercial photographers who want Leica quality with modern AF
- Filmmakers who want Leica glass with video capability
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The leica sl2 has the highest resolution at 47mp; the a7r is the most affordable; only the leica sl2 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Leica SL2 (2019) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,200 | £349 |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 47.3MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 146.0 × 107.0 × 80.5mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Leica SL2 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Landscape | ||
| Architecture | ||
| Street | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history