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Leica D-LUX 7 vs Sony A850

The Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony Alpha A850 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in November 2018 and August 2009. The D-LUX 7 is a fixed lens compact, while the A850 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (D-LUX 7) and a full frame (A850) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.8 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 24.4 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
versus
Sony A850
Leica D-LUX 7   Sony A850
Fixed lens compact camera Digital single lens reflex
24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 Sony A mount lenses
16.8 MP – Four Thirds sensor 24.4 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video no Video
ISO 200-25,600 ISO 200-3,200 (100 - 6,400)
Electronic viewfinder (2764k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1240k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Fixed touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
11 shutter flaps per second 3 shutter flaps per second
Lens-based stabilizationIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
300 shots per battery charge880 shots per battery charge
115 x 66 x 65 mm, 392 g 156 x 117 x 82 mm, 895 g
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Check D-LUX 7 offers at
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Check A850 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony Alpha A850? 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.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony A850 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Size Leica D-LUX 7 vs Sony A850
Compare D-LUX 7 versus A850 top
Comparison D-LUX 7 or A850 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A850 is considerably larger (140 percent) than the Leica D-LUX 7. It is noteworthy in this context that the A850 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 A850 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

Concerning battery life, the D-LUX 7 gets 300 shots out of its Leica BP-DC15 battery, while the A850 can take 880 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FM500H power pack. The power pack in the D-LUX 7 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. 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.

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Body Specifications
# image 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 1,195ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A850 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F 127 mm 75 mm 52 mm 469 g 390 n Jan 2017 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100T 127 mm 74 mm 52 mm 440 g 330 n Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S 127 mm 74 mm 54 mm 445 g 330 n Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 5 136 mm 97 mm 131 mm 812 g 350 n Jul 2019 1,249 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica C-LUX 113 mm 67 mm 46 mm 340 g 370 n Jun 2018 1,049ebay.com
8.
 
Leica D-LUX Typ 109 118 mm 66 mm 55 mm 405 g 300 n Sep 2014 1,195ebay.com
9.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114 137 mm 99 mm 131 mm 830 g 360 n Sep 2014 1,349ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D750 141 mm 113 mm 78 mm 750 g 1230 Y Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX100 II 115 mm 66 mm 65 mm 392 g 300 n Aug 2018 999ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic ZS70 112 mm 67 mm 41 mm 322 g 380 n Apr 2017 449ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7C 124 mm 71 mm 60 mm 509 g 740 Y Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7 III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 610 Y Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI 102 mm 58 mm 43 mm 301 g 240 n Jun 2018 1,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A99 147 mm 111 mm 78 mm 812 g 500 Y Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A900 156 mm 117 mm 82 mm 895 g 880 Y Sep 2008 2,999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. 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 A850, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. 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 imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its 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 A850 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A850 is 366 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.2 and 1.0. The sensor in the D-LUX 7 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the A850 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.

Leica D-LUX 7 and Sony A850 sensor measures

With 24.4MP, the A850 offers a higher resolution than the D-LUX 7 (16.8MP), but the A850 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 3.32μm for the D-LUX 7) due to its larger sensor. However, the D-LUX 7 is a much more recent model (by 9 years and 2 months) than the A850, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that 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 A850 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A850 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.2 x 20.2 inches or 76.8 x 51.2 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.2 x 16.1 inches or 61.4 x 41 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.2 x 13.4 inches or 51.2 x 34.1 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 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 A850 are ISO 200 to ISO 3200, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-6400.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

D-LUX 7 versus A850 MP

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

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Sensor Characteristics
# image 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 35524K/30p22.912.8100272
2.
 
Sony A850 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.812.2141579
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.913.2170481
4.
 
Fujifilm X100T APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.612.8148378
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.312.5132975
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 5 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.212.458465
7.
 
Leica C-LUX 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.348164
8.
 
Leica D-LUX Typ 109 Four Thirds 12.7 4112 30884K/30p22.412.160767
9.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p21.611.712760
10.
 
Nikon D750 Full Frame 24.2 6016 40161080/60p24.814.5295693
11.
 
Panasonic LX100 II Four Thirds 16.8 4736 35524K/30p22.812.797972
12.
 
Panasonic ZS70 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.610636
13.
 
Sony A7C Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7340795
14.
 
Sony A7 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7373096
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.112.347864
16.
 
Sony A99 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p25.014.0155589
17.
 
Sony A900 Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none23.712.3143179
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The D-LUX 7 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the A850 does not. The highest resolution format that the D-LUX 7 can use is 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the D-LUX 7 has an electronic viewfinder (2764k dots), while the A850 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinder in the D-LUX 7 offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the A850 (98%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. On the other hand, the viewfinder of the A850 has a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.70x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica D-LUX 7 and Sony A850 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Leica D-LUX 72764 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
2.
 
Sony A850optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 3.0/s n Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X100T2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S2360 n2.8 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 52360 n3.0 / 1240 swivel Y 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Leica C-LUX2330 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Leica D-LUX Typ 1092764 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
9.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 1142359 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Nikon D750optical Y3.2 / 1229 tilting n 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
11.
 
Panasonic LX100 II2764 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
12.
 
Panasonic ZS701166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Sony A7C2360 n3.0 / 922 swivel Y 1/4000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7 III2359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting Y 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
16.
 
Sony A992359 Y3.0 / 1229 full-flex n 1/8000s 6.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A900optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The D-LUX 7 has a touchscreen, while the A850 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

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, the D-LUX 7 is one of those camera that have an additional 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 has 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 A850 uses Compact Flash or Memory Stick PRO Duo cards. The A850 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D-LUX 7 only has one slot.

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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 A850 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica D-LUX 7Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
2.
 
Sony A850Y- / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Fujifilm X100FYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X100TYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Fujifilm X100SYstereo / mono--micro2.0---
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 5Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Leica C-LUX-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Leica D-LUX Typ 109Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
9.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
10.
 
Nikon D750Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0Y--
11.
 
Panasonic LX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
12.
 
Panasonic ZS70-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
13.
 
Sony A7CYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2YYY
14.
 
Sony A7 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
16.
 
Sony A99Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0---
17.
 
Sony A900Y- / ---mini2.0---
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It is notable that the D-LUX 7 offers wifi support, while the A850 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A850 (unlike the D-LUX 7) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D-LUX 7 and the A850 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Leica and Sony. Further information on the features and operation of the D-LUX 7 and A850 can be found, respectively, in the Leica D-LUX 7 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A850 Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Leica D-LUX 7 or the Sony A850 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Reasons to prefer 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.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 4K/30p movies.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 98%).
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1240k vs 922k dots).
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the A850 requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (115x66mm vs 156x117mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the A850).
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • 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 modern: Reflects 9 years and 2 months of technical progress since the A850 launch.

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha A850:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24.4 vs 16.8MP), which boosts linear resolution by 23%.
  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.74x vs 0.70x).
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (880 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2009).

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the D-LUX 7 is the clear winner of the match-up (19 : 12 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.

D-LUX 7 19:12 A850

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica D-LUX 7 and the Sony A850 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the D-LUX 7 and the A850 in practical situations. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], 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.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica D-LUX 7..........4.5/5 Nov 2018 1,195ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A8503/5....75/100..4.5/5 Aug 2009 1,999ebay.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X100F5/5+3.9/583/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 1,299ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X100T5/5+..81/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2014 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X100S5/5+ +..81/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2013 1,299ebay.com
6.
 
Leica V-LUX 5........4/54/5 Jul 2019 1,249 amazon.com
7.
 
Leica C-LUX....3.5/5..4.5/54/5 Jun 2018 1,049ebay.com
8.
 
Leica D-LUX Typ 109........4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 1,195ebay.com
9.
 
Leica V-LUX Typ 114..........5/5 Sep 2014 1,349ebay.com
10.
 
Nikon D7505/5+ +4/590/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 2,299ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX100 II4.5/5+4.2/582/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2018 999ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic ZS70..+ +....4/54/5 Apr 2017 449ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A7C3.5/5..3.5/586/1004/54/5 Sep 2020 1,799 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7 III..+ +4.5/589/1005/55/5 Feb 2018 1,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Sony RX100 VI4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2018 1,199ebay.com
16.
 
Sony A995/5....84/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 2,799ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A900..+ +..+ +4.5/55/5 Sep 2008 2,999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.

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Check D-LUX 7 offers at
ebay.com
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Check A850 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. 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 A850

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Leica D-LUX 7 Sony A850
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 Sony A mount lenses
    Launch Date November 2018 August 2009
    Launch Price USD 1,195 USD 1,999
    Sensor Specs Leica D-LUX 7 Sony A850
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 15.7 x 11.8 mm 35.9 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 185.26 mm2 861.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 19.6 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.2x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 16.8 Megapixels 24.4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4736 x 3552 pixels 6048 x 4032 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.32 μm 5.94 μm
    Pixel Density 9.08 MP/cm2 2.83 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 25,600 ISO 200 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 6,400 ISO
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) .. 79
    DXO Color Depth (bits) .. 23.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) .. 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) .. 1415
    Screen Specs Leica D-LUX 7 Sony A850
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 98%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.74x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2764k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1240k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Leica D-LUX 7 Sony A850
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s 3 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationLens-based stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF or MS cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Leica D-LUX 7 Sony A850
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Bluetooth Support Bluetooth built-in no Bluetooth
    Body Specs Leica D-LUX 7 Sony A850
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Leica BP-DC15 Sony NP-FM500H
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge880 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 115 x 66 x 65 mm
    (4.5 x 2.6 x 2.6 in)
    156 x 117 x 82 mm
    (6.1 x 4.6 x 3.2 in)
    Camera Weight 392 g (13.8 oz) 895 g (31.6 oz)
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    Check D-LUX 7 offers at
    ebay.com
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    Check A850 offers at
    ebay.com

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