Leica M Typ 240 vs Sony a7S — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 24 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Leica M Typ 240
57
WINNER
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 12.2 MP · Full Frame · Full HD video
Sony a7S
55
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica M Typ 240 and the Sony a7S are both full-frame mirrorless cameras, but they take different paths to that sensor. The M Typ 240, from 2012, is a digital rangefinder with the Leica M mount, an optical viewfinder and manual focusing. The a7S, from 2014, is a Sony FE body with autofocus and an electronic viewfinder. That mount difference defines the lens choice, Leica M glass or the Sony FE range. The a7S is also the lighter body at 489 g against 680 g. | ||
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 | April 6, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 139 x 80 x 42 mm | 127 x 94 x 48 mm |
| Camera weight | 680 g | 489 g |
| Optics | 62/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe M Typ 240 is the stronger choice for cropping or large prints, with 24 MP against 12.2 MP on the a7S. The a7S answers with native ISO settings reaching 102400 against the Leica's 6400, keeping faster shutter speeds available in dark scenes. The a7S is also the practical pick for moving subjects, with 25 autofocus points and a 5 fps burst against manual focusing and 3 fps on the Leica. Its 1/8000 second maximum shutter is shorter than the Leica's 1/4000, helping at wide apertures in bright light. | ||
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 35.6 |
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 | 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 | 240000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe a7S is the better pick for slow motion, doubling the maximum video frame rate to 60 fps against 30 fps on the M Typ 240. That footage can run at half speed on a 30 fps timeline. Both cap video resolution at Full HD. The a7S gives editors more codec choice, recording in XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4, while the M Typ 240 offers Motion JPG and MOV. Neither camera has a built-in intervalometer, so timelapse needs external triggering. | ||
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, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 54/100 | 54/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe a7S has the more useful feature set for solo shooting, with a flip screen and built-in WiFi. The flip screen helps frame low or high angles, and WiFi sends images straight to a phone. The M Typ 240 has a fixed screen and no wireless connectivity. Several protections match. Both are weather sealed, accept external flash and offer live view on a 3-inch screen. Neither has touch control or GPS, so geotagging needs an external solution. | ||
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 | 9210001150001500000 |
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 M Typ 240 gives more shooting between charges, rated at 500 shots against 380 for the a7S. On a long day out without a charger, that 120-shot margin matters. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need their external chargers. Both use a single card slot and accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The a7S additionally takes Memory Stick Duo formats, useful mainly if you already own those cards. | ||
| 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 | 380 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Sony a7S if you photograph moving subjects or mix video into your work. Its 25 autofocus points, 5 fps burst and 60 fps video frame rate suit action and handheld clips, and native ISO settings reach 102400 for dark venues.
Choose the Leica M Typ 240 if your photography rewards deliberate framing and fine detail. Its 24 MP sensor gives real cropping room for landscapes and portraits, and rangefinder framing with Leica M glass is the draw.