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Leica SL3-S vs Sony A9 II

4 · 0 TIE · 3

The Leica SL3-S wins 4 of 7 scored specs (resolution, burst, max video); the A9 II wins 3 (stabilization, battery (cipa)). The A9 II is $81 cheaper.

4 WINSBuy it if you want: resolution, burst, max video, weight.
3 WINSBuy it if you want: stabilization, battery (cipa).A 24MP stacked-sensor sports camera with a fast electronic shutter and dual UHS-II slots, aimed at action and press shooters who value speed over resolution.
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Size, to scale

OPEN IN SIZE COMPARE →
FRONT (WIDTH × HEIGHT)
TOP (WIDTH × DEPTH), LENS FACING DOWN

Outer sizes are exact, from the makers' dimensions. Shapes are drawn by us to show each body style; the dashed circle is the lens mount at its real diameter.

  • Leica SL3-S141.2 × 108 × 82.7 mm
  • Sony A9 II128.9 × 96.4 × 67.3 mm · 678 g

Where they differ

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Leica SL3-SA9 II
PRICE & SCORE
Price$4,579$4,498BEST
PHOTO
Resolution24.6 MPBEST24.2 MP
BurstThe fastest frames per second the maker quotes. Top speeds often use the electronic shutter and may limit autofocus. Higher helps for sports, wildlife and kids.30 fpsBEST20 fps
StabilizationIn-body stabilisation. Each stop lets you shoot at half the shutter speed without blur, so 8 stops means very steady handheld shots.None5.5 stopsBEST
ShutterFastest mechanical and electronic shutter speeds. The silent electronic shutter can freeze faster motion, but may bend fast subjects on slower sensors.1/8000 mech · 1/16000 elec1/8000 mech · 1/32000 elec
AutofocusWhat the camera recognises and tracks automatically, and how dark it can get before focus struggles (lower EV is better in low light).People, animalsdown to −3 EV
VIDEO
Max videoThe highest video resolution it records internally.6KBEST4K
Best 4K frame rateThe fastest 4K frame rate. 60p and above lets you slow footage down smoothly, and 120p gives 5× slow motion.4K 60p4K 30p
Crop at 4K 60pWhether 4K 60p uses the full sensor width. A crop makes your lens act longer, so wide shots get harder.—No 4K 60p
Rolling shutterHow fast the sensor reads out, measured in lab tests. Slower readout bends fast-moving subjects and quick pans in video and electronic-shutter photos; under 10 ms is very good.19.8 ms · 5.8K full width, CineD—
Colour depth10-bit records far more colour detail than 8-bit, so footage holds up when you grade it. Worth it if you edit video.10-bit 4:2:2—
Log profileA flat picture profile that keeps highlight and shadow detail for colour grading later.L-LogNone
Raw videoRaw keeps the most image data for editing, at much larger file sizes. Some cameras only record it to an external recorder.RAW over HDMI (5.9K 30p to external recorder)None
Open gateRecords the whole sensor area, so you can crop the same clip to both widescreen and vertical video.YesNo
HDMIFor an external monitor or recorder. Full-size HDMI is sturdier than micro HDMI.Full-sizeMicro
BODY & HANDLING
Battery (CIPA)Shots per charge on the CIPA standard test, using the rear screen. Real-world numbers are often higher.315 shots690 shotsBEST
WeightBody with battery and card, without a lens.0 gBEST678 g
ViewfinderElectronic viewfinder resolution and magnification. More dots and a bigger magnification give a sharper, larger view.5.76M-dot, 0.76×3.69M-dot, 0.78×
Card slotsTwo slots let you record a backup copy at the same time, which matters for paid work like weddings.CFexpress B + SD UHS-II2x SD UHS-II
SYSTEM
MountWhich lenses fit natively. Other lenses may work through an adapter.L-Mount AllianceSony E
Native lenses80+200+

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