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Leica TL vs Sony A9 III

The Leica TL and the Sony Alpha A9 III are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively, in November 2016 and November 2023. Both the TL and the A9 III are mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras that are based on an APS-C (TL) and a full frame (A9 III) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.1 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 TL
versus
Sony A9 III
Leica TL   Sony A9 III
Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
Leica T mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
16.1 MP – APS-C sensor 24 MP – Full Frame sensor
1080/30p Video 4K/120p Video
ISO 100-12,500 ISO 250-25,600 (125 - 51,200)
Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder (9440k dots)
3.7" LCD – 1230k dots 3.2" LCD – 2100k dots
Fixed touchscreen Fully flexible touchscreen
5 shutter flaps per second 120 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
400 shots per battery charge530 shots per battery charge
134 x 69 x 33 mm, 384 g 136 x 97 x 83 mm, 702 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica TL and the Sony Alpha A9 III? 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 TL and the Sony A9 III is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The TL can be obtained in three different colors (black, silver, titanium), while the A9 III is only available in black.

Size Leica TL vs Sony A9 III
Compare TL versus A9 III top
Comparison TL or A9 III rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A9 III is considerably larger (43 percent) than the Leica TL. Moreover, the A9 III is substantially heavier (83 percent) than the TL. It is noteworthy in this context that the A9 III is splash and dust-proof, while the TL does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. Hence, you might want to study and compare the specifications of available lenses in order to get the full picture of the size and weight of the two camera systems.

Concerning battery life, the TL gets 400 shots out of its Leica BP-DC13 battery, while the A9 III can take 530 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FZ100 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica TL 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 384 g 400 n Nov 2016 EUR 1 649ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A9 III 136 mm 97 mm 83 mm 702 g 530 Y Nov 2023 EUR 6 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 117 mm 67 mm 40 mm 350 g 410 n Jan 2015 EUR 499ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S 129 mm 75 mm 37 mm 350 g 350 n Jan 2016 EUR 699ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 140 mm 82 mm 43 mm 450 g 300 n Jan 2012 EUR 1 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 118 mm 83 mm 41 mm 381 g 350 n May 2015 EUR 699ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X70 113 mm 64 mm 44 mm 340 g 330 n Jan 2016 EUR 699ebay.com
8.
 
Leica CL 131 mm 78 mm 45 mm 403 g 220 n Nov 2017 EUR 2 490ebay.com
9.
 
Leica T 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 384 g 400 n Apr 2014 EUR 1 499ebay.com
10.
 
Leica TL2 134 mm 69 mm 33 mm 399 g 250 n Jul 2017 EUR 1 949ebay.com
11.
 
Leica X2 124 mm 69 mm 52 mm 345 g 450 n May 2012 EUR 1 749ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic G7 125 mm 86 mm 77 mm 410 g 350 n May 2015 EUR 699ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A1 129 mm 97 mm 81 mm 737 g 530 Y Jan 2021 EUR 7 299 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7 II 127 mm 96 mm 60 mm 599 g 350 Y Nov 2014 EUR 2 099ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7 III 127 mm 96 mm 74 mm 650 g 610 Y Feb 2018 EUR 2 299 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A9 127 mm 96 mm 63 mm 673 g 650 Y Apr 2017 EUR 5 299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A9 II 129 mm 96 mm 76 mm 678 g 690 Y Oct 2019 EUR 5 399 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

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 TL was launched at a markedly lower price (by 72 percent) than the A9 III, which puts it into a different market segment. 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 imaging sensor is a crucial determinant 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 associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica TL features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A9 III a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A9 III is 128 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Leica TL and Sony A9 III sensor measures

With 24MP, the A9 III offers a higher resolution than the TL (16.1MP), but the A9 III nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 5.94μm versus 4.80μm for the TL) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the A9 III is a much more recent model (by 7 years) than the TL, and its sensor will 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 TL has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Sony A9 III implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the A9 III 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 TL are 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm for good quality, 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm for very good quality, and 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm for excellent quality prints.

The A9 III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.

The Leica TL has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha A9 III are ISO 250 to ISO 25600, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 125-51200.

In terms of underlying technology, the TL is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A9 III uses a Stacked CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

TL versus A9 III MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Leica TL APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/30p23.913.2169081
2.
 
Sony A9 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/120p25.414.7324396
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A2 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/30p23.612.8151579
4.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.713.0160880
5.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/24p23.112.3123874
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.712.9154679
7.
 
Fujifilm X70 APS-C 16.0 4896 32641080/60p23.713.0160880
8.
 
Leica CL APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p24.013.3178882
9.
 
Leica T APS-C 16.2 4944 32781080/30p23.012.7108275
10.
 
Leica TL2 APS-C 24.1 6014 40144K/30p23.913.3175382
11.
 
Leica X2 APS-C 16.1 4928 3264none23.212.4127574
12.
 
Panasonic G7 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.812.490471
13.
 
Sony A1 Full Frame 49.8 8640 57608k/30p25.914.5316398
14.
 
Sony A7 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.913.6244990
15.
 
Sony A7 III Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.7373096
16.
 
Sony A9 Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p24.913.3351792
17.
 
Sony A9 II Full Frame 24.0 6000 40004K/30p25.014.0343493
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

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, but the A9 III provides a better video resolution than the TL. It can shoot movie footage at 4K/120p, while the Leica is limited to 1080/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A9 III has an electronic viewfinder (9440k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the TL relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the TL can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the Visoflex (Typ 020). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Leica TL and Sony A9 III in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty 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 TLoptional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
2.
 
Sony A9 III9440 n3.2 / 2100 full-flex Y 1/80000s 120.0/s n Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A2none n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 5.6/s Y n
4.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S2360 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
5.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro11440 n3.0 / 1230 fixed n 1/4000s 6.0/s n n
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T102360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm X70optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Leica CL2360 Y3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
9.
 
Leica Toptional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 5.0/s Y n
10.
 
Leica TL2optional n3.7 / 1230 fixed Y 1/4000s 7.0/s n n
11.
 
Leica X2optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 5.0/s Y n
12.
 
Panasonic G72360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
13.
 
Sony A19437 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
14.
 
Sony A7 II2400 n3.0 / 1230 tilting n 1/8000s 5.0/s n Y
15.
 
Sony A7 III2359 n3.0 / 922 tilting Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
16.
 
Sony A93686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
17.
 
Sony A9 II3686 n3.0 / 1440 tilting Y 1/8000s 20.0/s n Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The TL has one, while the A9 III does not. While the built-in flash of the TL is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The A9 III has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the TL does not have a selfie-screen.

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 A9 III 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 Sony A9 III 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 TL writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the A9 III uses CFexpress (type A) or SDXC cards. The A9 III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the TL only has one slot. The A9 III supports UHS-II cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 312 MB/s), while the TL cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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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 TL and Sony Alpha A9 III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Leica TLYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Sony A9 IIIYstereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0Y--
4.
 
Fujifilm X-E2SYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T10Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
7.
 
Fujifilm X70Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Leica CLYstereo / mono----Y--
9.
 
Leica TYstereo / mono---2.0Y--
10.
 
Leica TL2Ystereo / mono--micro3.0Y--
11.
 
Leica X2Y- / ---mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic G7Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
13.
 
Sony A1Ystereo / monoYYfull3.2Y-Y
14.
 
Sony A7 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro2.0YY-
15.
 
Sony A7 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY
16.
 
Sony A9Ystereo / monoYYmicro2.0YYY
17.
 
Sony A9 IIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.1YYY

It is notable that the A9 III has a headphone jack, which makes it possible to attach external headphones and monitor the quality of sound during the recording process. The TL lacks such a headphone port.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Sony A9 III (unlike the TL) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The A9 III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the TL has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the TL was succeeded by the Leica TL2. Further information on the features and operation of the TL and A9 III can be found, respectively, in the Leica TL Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A9 III Manual.

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Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Which of the two cameras – the Leica TL or the Sony A9 III – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

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Reasons to prefer the Leica TL:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.7" vs 3.2") for image review and settings control.
  • More compact: Is smaller (134x69mm vs 136x97mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 318g or 45 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More prestigious: Has the Leica luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale price.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (72 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in November 2016).

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Advantages of the Sony Alpha A9 III:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24 vs 16.1MP), 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 video: Provides higher definition movie capture (4K/120p vs 1080/30p).
  • 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.
  • Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (2100k vs 1230k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex 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.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/80000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (120 vs 5 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.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (530 versus 400) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.2 vs 2.0).
  • More solid recording: Has a full-sized HDMI port for a sturdy connection to an external recorder.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • 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.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-II standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 7 years of technical progress since the TL launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A9 III is the clear winner of the contest (28 : 8 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

TL 08:28 A9 III

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica TL and the Sony A9 III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listing 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 remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the TL or the A9 III perform in practice. 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 adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera 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
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price
Street
Price
1.
 
Leica TL..........4/5 Nov 2016 EUR 1 649ebay.com
2.
 
Sony A9 III4.5/5.......... Nov 2023 EUR 6 999 amazon.com
3.
 
Fujifilm X-A24/5......4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2015 EUR 499ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X-E2S4.5/5....77/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 EUR 699ebay.com
5.
 
Fujifilm X-Pro15/5+ +..79/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 EUR 1 599ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-T104.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 May 2015 EUR 699ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm X704.5/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 EUR 699ebay.com
8.
 
Leica CL....4.2/5....4/5 Nov 2017 EUR 2 490ebay.com
9.
 
Leica T3/5......4/54/5 Apr 2014 EUR 1 499ebay.com
10.
 
Leica TL23.5/5..3/5..4/54/5 Jul 2017 EUR 1 949ebay.com
11.
 
Leica X23/5......3/54/5 May 2012 EUR 1 749ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic G74/5+ +3.5/580/1005/54.5/5 May 2015 EUR 699ebay.com
13.
 
Sony A15/5o4.5/593/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2021 EUR 7 299 amazon.com
14.
 
Sony A7 II5/5+4/582/1004.5/55/5 Nov 2014 EUR 2 099ebay.com
15.
 
Sony A7 III..+ +4.5/589/1005/55/5 Feb 2018 EUR 2 299 amazon.com
16.
 
Sony A95/5+ +4.8/589/1005/55/5 Apr 2017 EUR 5 299ebay.com
17.
 
Sony A9 II....5/590/1005/55/5 Oct 2019 EUR 5 399 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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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 make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Specifications: Leica TL vs Sony A9 III

    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 TL Sony A9 III
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Mirrorless system camera
    Camera Lens Leica T mount lenses Sony E mount lenses
    Launch Date November 2016 November 2023
    Launch Price USD 1,695 USD 5,999
    Sensor Specs Leica TL Sony A9 III
    Sensor Technology CMOS Stacked CMOS
    Sensor Format APS-C Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 23.6 x 15.7 mm 35.6 x 23.8 mm
    Sensor Area 370.52 mm2 847.28 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 28.3 mm 42.8 mm
    Crop Factor 1.5x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 16.1 Megapixels 24 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4928 x 3264 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.80 μm 5.94 μm
    Pixel Density 4.34 MP/cm2 2.83 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 1080/30p Video 4K/120p Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 12,500 ISO 250 - 25,600 ISO
    ISO Boost no Enhancement 125 - 51,200 ISO
    Screen Specs Leica TL Sony A9 III
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.9x
    Viewfinder Resolution 9440k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.7inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 1230k dots 2100k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fully flexible screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Leica TL Sony A9 III
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF On-Sensor Phase-detect
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/4000s 1/80000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s 120 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterno E-Shutterup to 1/80000s
    Time-Lapse Photographyno IntervalometerIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationLens stabilization onlyIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CFexA or SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no UHS-II
    Connectivity Specs Leica TL Sony A9 III
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.2
    HDMI Port micro HDMI full HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Leica TL Sony A9 III
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Leica BP-DC13 Sony NP-FZ100
    Battery Life (CIPA)400 shots per charge530 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 134 x 69 x 33 mm
    (5.3 x 2.7 x 1.3 in)
    136 x 97 x 83 mm
    (5.4 x 3.8 x 3.3 in)
    Camera Weight 384 g (13.5 oz) 702 g (24.8 oz)
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