Leica T vs Sony NEX-6 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Leica · Mirrorless · 16 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Leica T
52
SCORE
|
Sony · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony NEX-6
53
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Leica T (2014) and the Sony NEX-6 (2012) are both mirrorless cameras. The NEX-6 is the lighter body at 345 g against 384 g, and narrower at 120 mm against 134 mm, while the Leica T is the slimmer of the two front to back, at 33 mm against 43 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2012 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
April 24, 2014 | September 12, 2012 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 69 x 33 mm | 120 x 67 x 43 mm |
| Camera weight | 384 g | 345 g |
| Optics | 51/100 | 61/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe sensors share the APS-C CMOS format, so any given focal length frames the same way on either body, and resolution is a near tie at 16 MP against 16.1 MP. The lasting commitment is the mount: the Leica T takes Leica T lenses, the NEX-6 takes Sony E lenses, and neither body accepts the other system's glass. The NEX-6 is the stronger choice for moving subjects and handheld shooting in dim light. Its 99 autofocus points give far more freedom over where focus lands than the Leica T's single point, and its 10 fps burst doubles the Leica T's 5 fps. It also offers in-body stabilisation and a 2,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder, neither of which the Leica T has. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4944 x 3278 | 4912 x 3264 |
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. |
15.7 x 23.6 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 10 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 T | 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 II | Bionz |
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. |
10030200 | 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. |
125003003280000 | 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. |
125003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 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 | 400080032000 |
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. |
10300 | 990300 |
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. |
None | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 235900009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoVideo is capped at Full HD on both cameras, so neither offers 4K room to crop for large-screen playback. The difference is motion smoothness: the Leica T records at up to 30 fps and writes MP4 files, while the NEX-6 tops out at 24 fps in AVCHD or MP4. The Leica T therefore delivers slightly smoother movement for handheld clips. | ||
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 | 24 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. |
MP4 | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 59/100 | 41/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe Leica T has the better rear screen for touch control, with a 3.7-inch TFT LCD of 1,300,000 dots that responds to taps for settings and focus placement. The NEX-6 counters with a 3-inch, 921,000-dot screen that tilts, which helps when shooting low to the ground or over a crowd. Choose the interface you use more: direct touch input versus an articulating panel. Flash and connectivity options are shared: both cameras have a built-in flash, accept external flash units, and offer live view and Wi-Fi. Neither has GPS, Bluetooth or weather sealing. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3.7" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
13000001150001500000 | 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. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras record to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, so there is no in-camera backup copying. The NEX-6 additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, useful if you already own those cards. The Leica T's battery is rated for 400 shots against 360 for the NEX-6. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need their dedicated charger, the BP-DC13 pack for the Leica T and the NP-FW50 for the Sony. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BP-DC13 | NP-FW50 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
400 shots1505000 | 360 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The Sony NEX-6 is the better pick for anyone who tracks motion, from children running in a park to street photography, because its 99 autofocus points, 10 fps burst, in-body stabilisation and built-in electronic viewfinder cover the widest range of shooting situations.
The Leica T earns its place if you prefer touch-driven operation, value its larger 1,300,000-dot screen, or want smoother video motion from its 30 fps maximum frame rate. Whichever you choose, the mount sets your lens options: Leica T glass or the Sony E range, with no crossing between them.