• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Leica M (Typ 240)

  • Lens selection
    Good vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.9 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Leica M (Typ 240) advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Better color depth
    24.0 vs 21.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,860 vs 772 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.3 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.68x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.0 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    8 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display
Leica M (Typ 240)
Pentax K20D
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
Leica M (Typ 240)
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points
Leica M (Typ 240)
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Leica M Monochrom

Sony DSLR-A500
Leica M Monochrom
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M Monochrom
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $7950
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Leica M-E (Typ 220)

Sony DSLR-A500
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $7999
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Leica M (Typ 240)
Leica M-E (Typ 220)
  • $6995
  • 35mm
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $7999
  • 35mm
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