Decision tools · Compare
Leica SL3-S vs A9 III
Quick take: The Leica SL3-S has the highest resolution at 25MP; the Leica SL3-S is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A9 III — Sports & Action Professionals: A paradigm-shifting camera — the global shutter eliminates every rolling shutter limitation that has constrained action photography for years.
Who should buy what
A9 III (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional sports photographers who need zero blackout and 120fps burst
- Wildlife photographers who demand the most advanced Sony AF available
- Photojournalists who need flash sync at any shutter speed
- A9 II owners upgrading to the world's first full-frame global shutter
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Leica SL3-SLeica · 2025 | A9 IIISony · 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,489Best | £5,699 |
| Sensor | 24.6MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | 25.0MPBest | 24.6MP |
| Video | 6K/30p open gate, 4K/60p, 10-bit, L-Log | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detect AF with subject/face/eye detection | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 5-stop IBIS | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps (electronic) | 120fps blackout-free electronicBest |
| Battery Life | 315 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 852g (with battery and card) | 703g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | — | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | Tilting touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L (L-mount) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 10Gbit, full-size HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Leica SL3-S
A9 III
Portrait
7.7/10
8.5/10
Street
5.6/10
6.6/10
Travel
5.5/10
6.5/10
Wedding & Events
7.5/10
8.5/10
Filmmaking
7.2/10
8.2/10
Documentary
7.2/10
8.2/10
Sports & Action
7.7/10
9.4/10
Landscape
6.7/10
6.5/10
Wildlife
7.5/10
9.2/10
Casual
4.4/10
5.3/10
Food
6.8/10
7.9/10
Macro
5.8/10
7.6/10
Architecture
6.9/10
6.6/10
Astrophotography
6.3/10
6.8/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.5/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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