I truly want to like the Sony a7r V — but I can’t. While Sony a1 and a9 cameras are ones that I adore, the Sony a7r V feels like a camera that came out before the pandemic still. For a while, I truly thought that the 60MP sensors in the newer Leica cameras were the same sensor as what’s in the Sony a7r V. But it really doesn’t seem to be the case. For a fair amount of my shooting, I genuinely need the benefits that a higher resolution sensor can give me. And here’s why I think the Leica SL3 is better than the Sony a7r V.
Table of Contents
Build Quality of the Leica SL3
Let’s start with the build quality. I’ve consistently complained about Sony’s build on their cameras and how they’re not able to be more weather resistant than they are. That’s the case even with some of the newer cameras. The Leica SL3 is so durable that they put an IP durability rating to the camera. They’re so durable that Leica cameras have saved the lives of photojournalists.
Sure, the Leica SL3 doesn’t have the sensor protection that the a7r V does. But it also won’t really have that problem much if you’re not switching lenses often.
Access to Apochromatic Lenses
Lots of Sony’s sensors are often optomized for high ISO shooting. The Sony a7r V has a sensor that has an ISO 100 and 320 base — which the Leica SL3 also has. However, Leica adds in extra things to make it different where Sony really wants photographers to do post-production on their images. Leica apochromatic lenses can make your images really pop. A 28mm f2 can have pop that looks like an f1.4 lens while maintaining f2’s sharpness.
Sony doesn’t really have this, and G Master lenses tend to be far more clinical and plain. I truly wish this wasn’t the case.
The Autofocus: Everything You Need
With the Sony a7r V, I’ve often been frustrated with the autofocus in various situations. This is really the case when it comes to autofocusing on people of color in low light. Nikon has nailed this, and now Leica is great at it too. While Sony and Nikon have things like insect and vehicle detection, Leica doesn’t. But honestly, I’ve never needed or wanted vehicle detection when they’re so big anyway. Sure, it’s cool that they have it; but as time has gone on, I truly wonder how many photographers use it.
Battery Life: Much Better
Sony’s newer cameras have AI processing chips that are a drain on battery life despite what anyone else might say. Ever since the Sony a7r IV and the Sony a1, I haven’t felt that Sony’s battery life has improved. But with the Leica SL3, you get a quick power-off function that saves battery life. I shot for an entire week on a single charge. That’s the type of performance that I really need when I’ve got a jam packed schedule.
Leica Looks: Less Editing, More Shooting
I’ve touched on this a bit, but Sony doesn’t really lend itself to not editing. Here’s a serious question for you to consider: if you didn’t have Photoshop, Capture One, or Lightroom’s variants, could you make the images that you do? If I were shooting with Canon, I’d say yes — without a question. With the Leica SL3, I surely can — but I also admit that I can’t have the full creavity of multiple exposure in-camera the way Canon allows me to. I’m one stop closer though with Leica Looks.
I understand that post-production can be an important part of photography. But we shouldn’t have to rely on it.