Sigma
fp L 2021
Best for High-resolution creative & documentary shooters
£1999
new today at Wex Photo Video
Decision tools · Compare
fp L vs A9
Quick take: The fp L has the highest resolution at 61MP.
16 specs side by side·14 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.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
fp L — High-Resolution Creative & Documentary Shooters: 61MP and phase-detect AF in the world's smallest full-frame body — the fp L is the most capable iteration of Sigma's extraordinary compact.
A9 — Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography: The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
Who should buy what
fp L (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Commercial photographers who want 61MP in the world's smallest full-frame body
- Filmmakers using the fp L as a high-resolution cinema camera
- fp owners who need more resolution for large-format printing
- L-mount photographers who want extreme resolution in an ultra-compact form
A9 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | fp LSigma · 2021 | A9Sony · 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £1,026 usedBest |
| Sensor | 61MP full-frame BSI CMOS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 61.0MPBest | 24.2MP |
| Video | 12-bit CinemaDNG RAW, 4K/30p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF with face/eye detection | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | None (lens-based only) | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 18fps electronic | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)Best |
| Battery Life | 200 shots (CIPA) | ~650 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 427g (body only)Best | 673g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 112.6 × 69.9 × 45.3mm | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | None (optional clip-on EVF available) | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) |
| Screen | 3.15" fixed touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L-mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI |
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
fp L
A9
Portrait
6.7/10
7.5/10
Street
6.9/10
6.0/10
Travel
6.5/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
4.9/10
7.5/10
Filmmaking
5.3/10
6.7/10
Documentary
6.2/10
6.8/10
Sports & Action
6.7/10
8.2/10
Landscape
6.9/10
6.1/10
Wildlife
7.0/10
8.2/10
Casual
5.1/10
4.6/10
Food
6.2/10
6.5/10
Macro
5.3/10
5.8/10
Architecture
6.6/10
6.0/10
Astrophotography
5.5/10
7.3/10
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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