Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a7 II — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Leica M Typ 240
57
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 24.3 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Sony a7 II
67
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica M Typ 240 and the Sony a7 II are two very different full-frame mirrorless cameras. The 2012 Leica is a digital rangefinder built around the manual-focus Leica M mount, while the 2014 Sony uses the Sony E mount with autofocus and an electronic viewfinder. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, so neither crops a full-frame lens's angle of view. The Leica body measures 139 x 80 x 42 mm and weighs 680 g, a long, slim shape. The Sony is 127 x 96 x 60 mm and 599 g, 81 g lighter but deeper at 60 mm against 42 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | November 20, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 139 x 80 x 42 mm | 127 x 96 x 60 mm |
| Camera weight | 680 g | 599 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 78/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony a7 II is the stronger choice for handheld low-light and moving-subject work, because it offers in-body stabilisation and 117 autofocus points. The Leica M Typ 240 has no autofocus and relies on its optical rangefinder, favouring a deliberate pace over fleeting expressions. Both sit near 24 megapixels, leaving room to crop from either camera's files. The Sony also reaches 1/8000 second against the Leica's 1/4000, twice the speed, which keeps wide apertures usable in bright light. Its native ISO range spans 50 to 51200, against 200 to 6400 on the Leica, and its electronic viewfinder previews the shot before capture. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5952 x 3976 | 6000 x 4000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
24 x 36 | 23.9 x 35.8 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
3 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Leica M | Sony E |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Maestro | Bionz X |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 5030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
00300 | 1170300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony a7 II is the better pick for slowing fast movement, offering a maximum video frame rate of 60 fps, double the Leica's 30 fps. The extra frames give more room to slow footage in editing. The Sony writes XAVC S clips, while the Leica offers Motion JPG or MOV. Both share a Full HD maximum, so neither offers 4K. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
Motion JPG, MOV | XAVC S |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony a7 II wins on everyday convenience, pairing a tilting rear screen with built-in Wi-Fi. The tilt frames low or overhead shots without crouching, and Wi-Fi moves images to a phone for quick sharing. The Leica's fixed screen offers no such angle and has no wireless connectivity. The Sony screen is also sharper, at 1,230,000 dots against 920,000 on the Leica, which helps when checking focus on a review image. Both share weather sealing and a 3-inch screen, and both lack GPS and a built-in flash. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9200001150001500000 | 12300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
No |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 27/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Leica leads on battery endurance, rated at 500 shots per charge against 350 on the Sony, favouring a full day of shooting between charges. The Sony's NP-FW50 counters with USB charging from a laptop or power bank, which the Leica lacks. Neither has dual card slots. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the Sony also accepts Memory Stick Duo variants, useful if you own that media. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-SCL2 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
500 shots1505000 | 350 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |  Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony a7 II if you photograph people, travel scenes or dim interiors. Its autofocus, in-body stabilisation, tilting screen and Wi-Fi cover the situations where a manual rangefinder struggles, and the 1/8000 shutter keeps wide apertures usable in bright light. USB charging also suits travel with one cable.
Choose the Leica M Typ 240 for the rangefinder and its M-mount lenses, with a slimmer body for street work and a 500-shot battery rating for long days. The M mount and the Sony E mount are separate systems, so your preferred lens collection comes first.