Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a7S 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 · 12.2 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Sony a7S II
60
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica M Typ 240 and the Sony a7S II are both full-frame mirrorless cameras, but they take very different routes to a picture. The Leica, announced in 2012, is a manual-focus rangefinder built around the classic Leica M mount, so framing and focus stay fully in your hands. The Sony, announced in 2015, is a conventional autofocus body on the Sony FE mount, framing through a 2,359,296-dot electronic viewfinder. A real similarity sits in the sensor: both cameras use a CMOS sensor in the full-frame format, so each records from the same imaging area. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2012 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
September 17, 2012 | September 11, 2015 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 139 x 80 x 42 mm | 127 x 96 x 60 mm |
| Camera weight | 680 g | 627 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 66/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Leica M Typ 240 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping or large prints, recording 24 megapixels against the Sony's 12.2. The a7S II answers with different stills tools: its sensor-shift stabilisation steadies handheld shooting, and its 169 autofocus points cover the frame where the Leica leaves focusing entirely to you. The Sony also reaches 1/8000 second, twice as brief as the Leica's 1/4000, which helps keep wide apertures usable in bright light. Its native ISO range runs from 100 to 102400, offering far more sensitivity settings for dim conditions. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24 MP050 | 12.2 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 | 4240 x 2832 |
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 | 23.8 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 | 1024003003280000 |
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 | 4096003003280000 |
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 | 1690300 |
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 | 235929609900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Sony a7S II is the clear choice for video work, recording 4K while the Leica M Typ 240 tops out at Full HD. Both cameras share a 30 fps maximum frame rate, so the practical gap for filmmaking sits in that resolution ceiling rather than in motion smoothness. The recording formats differ as well, which shapes your editing workflow: the Sony writes MPEG-4, AVCHD and XAVC S files, while the Leica records Motion JPG and MOV. | ||
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 |  4K |
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 | 3840 x 2160 |
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 | 30 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 | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
| Features | 54/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe a7S II gives you two working advantages the Leica lacks: a tilting rear screen for waist-level and overhead framing, and built-in Wi-Fi for transferring images to a phone. Its screen also resolves 1,228,800 dots against the Leica's 920,000, for a crisper review image on the same 3-inch panel. A similarity across the working basics: both offer live view, accept external flash guns and carry weather sealing, while neither has touch control, GPS or 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 | 12288001150001500000 |
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 Leica has the higher battery rating, 500 shots against the Sony's 370, which favours it for a full day of stills shooting. Neither body offers a second card slot or USB charging. On cards, the a7S II accepts Memory Stick Duo media alongside the SD family, while the Leica takes SD, SDHC and SDXC only, so the Sony widens your card options. | ||
| 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 | 370 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony a7S II if you film in 4K or want autofocus and stabilisation to carry the technical load. Its 169 autofocus points, sensor-shift stabilisation, tilting screen and 4K recording make it the more versatile tool for events, handheld work and video projects.
Choose the Leica M Typ 240 for deliberate stills photography with M-mount glass, where 24 megapixels preserve detail for cropping and large prints and the 500-shot rating covers a full day. Its optical rangefinder and manual-focus design suit a slower, more considered way of working.