Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a7 — 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 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Sony a7
63
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica M Typ 240 and the Sony a7 are full-frame mirrorless cameras with different designs. The 2012 Leica is a digital rangefinder, with an optical viewfinder and manual focus. The 2013 Sony pairs an electronic viewfinder with autofocus. The Leica measures 139 x 80 x 42 mm and weighs 680 g. The Sony is 127 x 94 x 48 mm and 474 g, a 206 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | October 16, 2013 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 139 x 80 x 42 mm | 127 x 94 x 48 mm |
| Camera weight | 680 g | 474 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony a7 is far more capable with moving subjects, supporting autofocus with 117 AF points while the M Typ 240 focuses manually. Its 5 fps continuous rate also beats the Leica's 3 fps when action unfolds. Both share a 24 MP full-frame CMOS sensor, plenty of resolution for heavy cropping. The a7 also reaches 1/8000 second, half the Leica's 1/4000 exposure time, which keeps wide apertures usable in strong sunlight. Its native ISO range spans 100 to 25600 against the Leica's 200 to 6400, offering higher settings in dim light. Each uses its own lens mount, Leica M versus Sony FE, so lenses do not transfer. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 24 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 FE |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 10030200 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 ComparisonVideoFor smooth motion, the Sony a7 is the better video pick, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps against the Leica's 30 fps. The higher rate suits fast movement and allows half-speed slow-motion playback. Maximum resolution is a shared Full HD limit, so neither camera offers 4K output. The Sony records in AVCHD Ver. 2.0 or MP4, while the Leica uses Motion JPG or MOV, so match them to your editing workflow. | ||
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 | AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Sony a7 gives you more flexible framing and sharing. Its tilting 3-inch LCD, with 1,230,000 dots, helps compose at waist level or overhead, where the Leica's fixed 920,000-dot screen keeps you at eye level. It also supports Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control, a capability the M Typ 240 lacks. Some controls match. Both offer weather sealing, a hot shoe for external flash, and live view, while neither includes a built-in flash, GPS, or a touchscreen. Geotagging travel photos needs an external solution with either camera. | ||
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBattery life favours the Leica, 500 shots against the Sony a7's 340, a useful margin for a long day of stills. The a7 uses the NP-FW50 pack and the Leica the BP-SCL2, so spare batteries are specific to each system. Both take a single SD, SDHC, or SDXC card with no second slot, and neither supports USB charging. The Sony also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo cards, useful if you already own that media. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick 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 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony a7 is the stronger choice for most photographers. Its autofocus and 5 fps burst keep up with children playing or street action. The 1/8000 shutter, wide ISO range, tilting screen, Wi-Fi, and 60 fps video add flexibility for travel and family shooting.
The Leica M Typ 240 earns its place for deliberate, manual-focus shooting. Its rangefinder, 500-shot battery rating, and M-mount lenses suit landscape, architecture, and slow documentary work where you set focus yourself. If that rangefinder experience is what you want, the a7 cannot replace it.