Leica D-LUX 7 vs Sony A7C

The Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony Alpha A7C are two enthusiast cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in November 2018 and September 2020. The D-LUX 7 is a fixed lens compact, while the A7C is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (D-LUX 7) and a full frame (A7C) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.8 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Leica D-LUX 7		Sony A7C
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
24-75mm f/1.7-2.8		Sony E mount lenses
16.8 MP, Four Thirds Sensor		24 MP, Full Frame Sensor
4K/30p Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 200-25,600		ISO 100-51,200 (50 - 204,800)
Electronic viewfinder (2764k dots)		Electronic viewfinder (2360k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1240k dots		3.0 LCD, 922k dots
Fixed touchscreen		Swivel touchscreen
11 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilization		In-body stabilization
not weather sealed		Weathersealed body
300 shots per battery charge		740 shots per battery charge
115 x 66 x 65 mm, 392 g		124 x 71 x 60 mm, 509 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony Alpha A7C? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony A7C. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The A7C can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D-LUX 7 is only available in silver.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7C is notably larger (16 percent) than the Leica D-LUX 7. It is noteworthy in this context that the A7C is splash and dust-proof, while the D-LUX 7 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the D-LUX 7 has a lens built in, whereas the A7C is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the A7C and their specifications in the Sony FE Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the D-LUX 7 gets 300 shots out of its BP-DC15 battery, while the A7C can take 740 images on a single charge of its NP-FZ100 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica D-LUX 7	115 mm	66 mm	65 mm	392 g	300	n	Nov 2018	1,195
2.		Sony A7C	124 mm	71 mm	60 mm	509 g	740	Y	Sep 2020	1,799
3.		Fujifilm X100F	127 mm	75 mm	52 mm	469 g	390	n	Jan 2017	1,299
4.		Fujifilm X100T	127 mm	74 mm	52 mm	440 g	330	n	Sep 2014	1,299
5.		Fujifilm X100S	127 mm	74 mm	54 mm	445 g	330	n	Jan 2013	1,299
6.		Leica V-LUX 5	136 mm	97 mm	131 mm	812 g	350	n	Jul 2019	1,249
7.		Leica C-LUX	113 mm	67 mm	46 mm	340 g	370	n	Jun 2018	1,049
8.		Leica D-LUX Typ 109	118 mm	66 mm	55 mm	405 g	300	n	Sep 2014	1,195
9.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	137 mm	99 mm	131 mm	830 g	360	n	Sep 2014	1,349
10.		Panasonic LX100 II	115 mm	66 mm	65 mm	392 g	300	n	Aug 2018	999
11.		Panasonic ZS70	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	449
12.		Sony A9 II	129 mm	96 mm	76 mm	678 g	690	Y	Oct 2019	4,499
13.		Sony A7 III	127 mm	96 mm	74 mm	650 g	610	Y	Feb 2018	1,999
14.		Sony RX100 VI	102 mm	58 mm	43 mm	301 g	240	n	Jun 2018	1,199
15.		Sony A7 II	127 mm	96 mm	60 mm	599 g	350	Y	Nov 2014	1,999
16.		Sony A7	127 mm	94 mm	48 mm	474 g	340	Y	Oct 2013	1,699
17.		Sony A850	156 mm	117 mm	82 mm	895 g	880	Y	Aug 2009	1,999
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The D-LUX 7 was launched at a lower price than the A7C, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica D-LUX 7 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Sony A7C a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7C is 276 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the D-LUX 7 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A7C offers a 3:2 aspect. The D-LUX 7 has the particularity of featuring a switch that allows to toggle between multiple aspect ratios, while maintaining the same field of view and full image resolution.

With 24MP, the A7C offers a higher resolution than the D-LUX 7 (16.8MP), but the A7C nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 3.66μm for the D-LUX 7) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A7C is a somewhat more recent model (by 1 year and 9 months) than the D-LUX 7, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the D-LUX 7 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A7C implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A7C for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30 x 20 inches or 76.2 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24 x 16 inches or 61 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20 x 13.3 inches or 50.8 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Leica D-LUX 7 are 23.7 x 17.8 inches or 60.1 x 45.1 cm for good quality, 18.9 x 14.2 inches or 48.1 x 36.1 cm for very good quality, and 15.8 x 11.8 inches or 40.1 x 30.1 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A7C has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Leica D-LUX 7 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A7C are ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 50-204800.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Leica D-LUX 7	Four Thirds	16.8	4736	3552	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
2.		Sony A7C	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.7	3407	95
3.		Fujifilm X100F	APS-C	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
4.		Fujifilm X100T	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
5.		Fujifilm X100S	APS-C	16.0	4896	3264	1080/60p	..	..	..	..
6.		Leica V-LUX 5	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
7.		Leica C-LUX	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
8.		Leica D-LUX Typ 109	Four Thirds	12.7	4112	3088	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
9.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
10.		Panasonic LX100 II	Four Thirds	16.8	4736	3552	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
11.		Panasonic ZS70	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36
12.		Sony A9 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.0	3434	93
13.		Sony A7 III	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	4K/30p	25.0	14.7	3730	96
14.		Sony RX100 VI	1-inch	20.0	5472	3648	4K/30p	..	..	..	..
15.		Sony A7 II	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.9	13.6	2449	90
16.		Sony A7	Full Frame	24.0	6000	4000	1080/60p	24.8	14.2	2248	90
17.		Sony A850	Full Frame	24.4	6048	4032	none	23.8	12.2	1415	79

Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under consideration are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the D-LUX 7 offers a higher resolution than the one in the A7C (2764k vs 2360k dots). The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Leica D-LUX 7, the Sony A7C, and comparable cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Size (inch)	LCD Resolution (000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Mech Shutter Speed	Shutter Flaps (1/sec)	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Leica D-LUX 7	2764	n	3.0	1240	fixed	Y	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
2.		Sony A7C	2360	n	3.0	922	swivel	Y	1/4000s	10.0	n	Y
3.		Fujifilm X100F	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	8.0	Y	n
4.		Fujifilm X100T	2360	n	3.0	1040	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
5.		Fujifilm X100S	2360	n	2.8	460	fixed	n	1/4000s	6.0	Y	n
6.		Leica V-LUX 5	2360	n	3.0	1240	swivel	Y	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
7.		Leica C-LUX	2330	n	3.0	1240	fixed	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
8.		Leica D-LUX Typ 109	2764	n	3.0	921	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
9.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	2359	n	3.0	921	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0	Y	Y
10.		Panasonic LX100 II	2764	n	3.0	1240	fixed	Y	1/4000s	11.0	n	Y
11.		Panasonic ZS70	1166	n	3.0	1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0	Y	Y
12.		Sony A9 II	3686	n	3.0	1440	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
13.		Sony A7 III	2359	n	3.0	922	tilting	Y	1/8000s	10.0	n	Y
14.		Sony RX100 VI	2359	n	3.0	1229	tilting	Y	1/2000s	24.0	Y	Y
15.		Sony A7 II	2400	n	3.0	1230	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	Y
16.		Sony A7	2400	n	3.0	1230	tilting	n	1/8000s	5.0	n	n
17.		Sony A850	optical	Y	3.0	922	fixed	n	1/8000s	3.0	n	Y

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony A7C both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The D-LUX 7 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A7C uses SDXC or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A7C supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the D-LUX 7 can use UHS-I cards (up to 104 MB/s).

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Leica D-LUX 7 and Sony Alpha A7C and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Microphone	Internal Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Leica D-LUX 7	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
2.		Sony A7C	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.2	Y	Y	Y
3.		Fujifilm X100F	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
4.		Fujifilm X100T	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
5.		Fujifilm X100S	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Leica V-LUX 5	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
7.		Leica C-LUX	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Leica D-LUX Typ 109	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
9.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	Y	stereo	mono	Y	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
10.		Panasonic LX100 II	Y	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	Y
11.		Panasonic ZS70	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
12.		Sony A9 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
13.		Sony A7 III	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	3.1	Y	Y	Y
14.		Sony RX100 VI	-	stereo	mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	Y	Y
15.		Sony A7 II	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
16.		Sony A7	Y	stereo	mono	Y	Y	micro	2.0	Y	Y	-
17.		Sony A850	Y	-	-	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

It is notable that the A7C has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The D-LUX 7 does not feature such a mic input.

Both the D-LUX 7 and the A7C are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The D-LUX 7 replaced the earlier Leica D-LUX Typ 109, while the A7C does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Leica and Sony websites.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony A7C? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Arguments in favor of the Leica D-LUX 7:

• Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
• Flexible image proportions: Has a multi-aspect sensor that allows for alternative image shapes.
• More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2764k vs 2360k dots).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.70x vs 0.59x).
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1240k vs 922k dots).
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the A7C requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (115x66mm vs 124x71mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the A7C).
• More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in November 2018).

Reasons to prefer the Sony Alpha A7C:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 16.8MP), which boosts linear resolution by 22%.
• Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
• Better image quality: Is equipped with a larger and more technologically advanced sensor.
• Richer colors: The sensor size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger sensor captures a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger sensor produces good images even in poorly lit environments.
• Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
• Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
• Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (740 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
• Easier device pairing: Supports NFC for fast wireless image transfer over short distances.
• Faster buffer clearing: Supports a more advanced SD data transfer standard (UHS-II vs UHS-I).
• More modern: Was introduced somewhat (1 year and 9 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the A7C is the clear winner of the contest (18 : 11 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony A7C place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D-LUX 7 and the A7C in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Leica D-LUX 7	..	..	..	..	4.5/5	Nov 2018	1,195
2.		Sony A7C	3.5/5	..	86/100	4/5	4/5	Sep 2020	1,799
3.		Fujifilm X100F	5/5	+	83/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2017	1,299
4.		Fujifilm X100T	5/5	+	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Sep 2014	1,299
5.		Fujifilm X100S	5/5	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	5/5	Jan 2013	1,299
6.		Leica V-LUX 5	..	..	..	4/5	4/5	Jul 2019	1,249
7.		Leica C-LUX	..	..	..	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2018	1,049
8.		Leica D-LUX Typ 109	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	1,195
9.		Leica V-LUX Typ 114	..	..	..	..	5/5	Sep 2014	1,349
10.		Panasonic LX100 II	4.5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2018	999
11.		Panasonic ZS70	..	+ +	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	449
12.		Sony A9 II	..	..	90/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2019	4,499
13.		Sony A7 III	..	+ +	89/100	5/5	5/5	Feb 2018	1,999
14.		Sony RX100 VI	4.5/5	+ +	83/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jun 2018	1,199
15.		Sony A7 II	5/5	+	82/100	4.5/5	5/5	Nov 2014	1,999
16.		Sony A7	5/5	+ +	80/100	5/5	5/5	Oct 2013	1,699
17.		Sony A850	3/5	..	75/100	..	4.5/5	Aug 2009	1,999
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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Specifications: Leica D-LUX 7 vs Sony A7C

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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