• 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

Buy From

Differences

Leica M-D (Typ 262) advantages over Sony A7R III

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.99 vs 4.51 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A7R III advantages over Leica M-D (Typ 262)

  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.78x vs 0.68x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 24.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Leica M-D (Typ 262)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7R III

Review Excerpt

  • Fantastic image quality; Improved dynamic range over its predecessor; Very good high ISO performance; Much improved real-world AF performance; Class-leading burst rates, even with RAW; Improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization; Better 4K video quality; 1080/120fps video; Dual card slots; Significantly better battery life.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash; Buffer clearing still slow despite UHS-II support.

The Competition

Compared to Leica M-P (Typ 240)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Longer exposure
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Sony A7R III
Leica M-P (Typ 240)
  • $2248
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $7495
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Sony A7R III
Leica M Monochrom (Typ 246)
  • $2248
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $7595
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony A7R II

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Sony A7R II
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection
Sony A7R III
Sony A7R II
  • $2248
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $2898
  • 35mm
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Leica M10

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Leica M10
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Sony A7R III
Leica M10
  • $2248
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $7995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Leica M-D (Typ 262)
Nikon Z7 II
  • $5995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $2530
  • 35mm
  • Rear display
  • Focus peaking
Sony A7R III
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2248
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $2530
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Newer
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