Leica SL2vs FX3
VS
Sony
FX3 (2021)
Starting from £3799 new
Best for Professional video, documentary & cinematic filmmaking
View FX3
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.
Professional Video, Documentary & Cinematic Filmmaking — FX3 (2021): The definitive run-and-gun cinema camera — A7S III sensor quality in a body built specifically for video professionals.
Who should buy what
Leica SL2 (2019)
- Commercial photographers who want Leica quality with modern AF
- Filmmakers who want Leica glass with video capability
FX3 (2021)
- Professional videographers and filmmakers who need cinema-quality colour science in a compact body
- Documentary and run-and-gun shooters who need 4K/120p and built-in XLR audio
- Sony A7S III owners who want a purpose-built video body alongside their stills camera
- Gimbal and drone operators who need a compact full-frame cinema camera
Quick take: The leica sl2 has the highest resolution at 47mp; the fx3 is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Leica SL2 (2019) | FX3 (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,200 | £3,799 |
| Sensor | Full-frame CMOS 35mm | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III) |
| Resolution | 47.3MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 5K 30fps, 4K 60fps, 1080p 180fps | 4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect AF, AI-based scene recognition | Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 370 shots (CIPA) | ~640 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 835g (body only) | 715g body only (with XLR handle) |
| Dimensions | 146.0 × 107.0 × 80.5mm | 129.7 × 78.0 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.78× 5.76M-dot | None — monitor/external EVF use only |
| Screen | 3.2" fixed touchscreen, 2.10M-dot | 3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating |
| Mount | Leica L-Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | 2× SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1, HDMI full-size | USB-C (10Gbps), full-size HDMI, XLR via handle, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Leica SL2 | FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Portrait | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Travel | — |
More comparisons with Leica SL2
Camera family history