Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a7R — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Leica M Typ 240
57
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 36 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Sony a7R
65
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica M Typ 240 and the Sony a7R are mirrorless cameras that suit very different ways of shooting. The Typ 240, announced in 2012, is a rangefinder camera built around the manual-focus Leica M mount. The a7R, from 2013, pairs its Sony FE mount with an electronic viewfinder for a conventional mirrorless workflow. The a7R is the lighter camera for a day of street or travel shooting, at 465 g against 680 g, a 215 g difference. Their bodies measure 127 x 94 x 48 mm and 139 x 80 x 42 mm respectively. | ||
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 | 465 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 74/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony a7R is the stronger choice for heavy cropping or large prints, with 36 MP against the Typ 240's 24 MP. Both use full-frame CMOS sensors, so the advantage is the extra pixels rather than a different sensor class. The a7R is the easy choice for autofocus, offering 25 points while the Typ 240 has none and relies on its rangefinder for manual focusing. The Sony's 1/8000 second shutter, against 1/4000 on the Leica, also gives shorter exposures for wide-aperture work in bright light. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 36 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 | 7360 x 4912 |
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 | 24 x 35.9 |
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 | 4 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 | 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 | 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 | 250300 |
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 motion work the a7R's doubled maximum frame rate, 60 fps against 30 fps, lets you halve playback speed for smooth slow motion. Both cameras share the same Full HD resolution ceiling. The recording formats differ, with the a7R writing AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4 while the Typ 240 writes Motion JPG and MOV. Neither offers a built-in timelapse mode. | ||
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 a7R is more practical for framing awkward angles and sharing images in the field. Its screen tilts and it has built-in Wi-Fi for wireless transfer, two conveniences the Typ 240 does not offer. Its 1,230,000-dot display also shows more detail when checking focus than the Leica's 920,000-dot panel. The two bodies share weather sealing, external flash support and live view. Neither has GPS, a built-in flash, Bluetooth or a touchscreen. | ||
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 BatteryThe Typ 240 is the stronger choice for long shooting days, rated at 500 shots against 340 for the a7R. The gap favours the Leica for extended sessions away from a charger. Both cameras take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, with no USB charging on either body. The a7R also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo 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
Choose the Sony a7R if resolution, autofocus and modern conveniences drive your photography. Its 36 MP sensor rewards heavy cropping and landscape work, and its 25 AF points suit run-and-gun shooting. Its 60 fps maximum frame rate also handles slow motion the Leica cannot.
Choose the Leica M Typ 240 for the rangefinder experience with the M mount's manual-focus lenses, or for battery endurance. Its 500-shot rating outlasts the a7R's 340. For a deliberate, lens-led way of shooting, it remains the more fitting tool.