Leica X2 vs Sony A7S III
The Leica X2 and the Sony Alpha 7S III are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in May 2012 and July 2020. The X2 is a fixed lens compact, while the A7S III is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on an APS-C (X2) and a full frame (A7S III) sensor. The Leica has a resolution of 16.1 megapixels, whereas the Sony provides 12 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Check X2 offers at
ebay.com

Check A7S III price at
amazon.com
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Leica X2 and the Sony Alpha 7S 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.
Body comparison
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Leica X2 and the Sony A7S III. 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 X2 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the A7S III is only available in black.



If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Sony A7S III is considerably larger (44 percent) than the Leica X2. It is noteworthy in this context that the A7S III is splash and dust-proof, while the X2 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the X2 has a lens built in, whereas the A7S III is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the A7S III and their specifications in the Sony FE Lens Catalog.
Concerning battery life, the X2 gets 450 shots out of its Leica BP-DC8 battery, while the A7S III can take 600 images on a single charge of its Sony NP-FZ100 power pack. The power pack in the A7S III can be charged via the USB port, 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. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica X2 | 124 mm | 69 mm | 52 mm | 345 g | 450 | n | May 2012 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Sony A7S III | 127 mm | 97 mm | 81 mm | 699 g | 600 | Y | Jul 2020 | US$ 3 499 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm X-A1 | 117 mm | 67 mm | 39 mm | 330 g | 350 | n | Sep 2013 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm X-E2 | 129 mm | 75 mm | 37 mm | 350 g | 350 | n | Oct 2013 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100S | 127 mm | 74 mm | 54 mm | 445 g | 330 | n | Jan 2013 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Leica T | 134 mm | 69 mm | 33 mm | 384 g | 400 | n | Apr 2014 | US$ 1 849 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Leica TL | 134 mm | 69 mm | 33 mm | 384 g | 400 | n | Nov 2016 | US$ 1 695 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Leica X1 | 124 mm | 60 mm | 32 mm | 306 g | 260 | n | Sep 2009 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Leica X Vario | 133 mm | 73 mm | 95 mm | 680 g | 450 | n | Jun 2013 | US$ 2 849 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Leica X Typ 113 | 133 mm | 73 mm | 78 mm | 486 g | 350 | n | Sep 2014 | US$ 2 299 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon Coolpix A | 111 mm | 64 mm | 40 mm | 299 g | 230 | n | Mar 2013 | US$ 1 099 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Ricoh GR | 117 mm | 61 mm | 35 mm | 245 g | 290 | n | Apr 2013 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Sony A7R III | 127 mm | 96 mm | 74 mm | 650 g | 650 | Y | Oct 2017 | US$ 3 199 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Sony A7R IV | 129 mm | 96 mm | 78 mm | 665 g | 670 | Y | Jul 2019 | US$ 3 499 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony A7R IVA | 129 mm | 96 mm | 78 mm | 665 g | 670 | Y | Apr 2021 | US$ 3 499 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Sony A7S II | 127 mm | 96 mm | 60 mm | 627 g | 370 | Y | Sep 2015 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony A9 II | 129 mm | 96 mm | 76 mm | 678 g | 690 | Y | Oct 2019 | US$ 4 499 | 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 naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The X2 was launched at a lower price than the A7S III, 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. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Leica X2 features an APS-C sensor and the Sony A7S III a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the A7S III is 129 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.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Leica X2 offers a higher resolution of 16.1 megapixels, compared with 12 MP of the Sony A7S III. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 4.79μm versus 8.40μm for the A7S III). Moreover, it should be noted that the A7S III is much more recent (by 8 years and 2 months) than the X2, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.
The resolution advantage of the Leica X2 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the X2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 24.6 x 16.3 inches or 62.6 x 41.5 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 19.7 x 13.1 inches or 50.1 x 33.2 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 16.4 x 10.9 inches or 41.7 x 27.6 cm. The corresponding values for the Sony A7S III are 21.2 x 14.2 inches or 53.8 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.1 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.1 x 9.4 inches or 35.9 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.
The A7S III has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
The Leica X2 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12500. The corresponding ISO settings for the Sony Alpha 7S III are ISO 80 to ISO 102400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 40-409600.
In terms of underlying technology, the X2 is build around a CMOS sensor, while the A7S III uses a BSI-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.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. 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 adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica X2 | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | none | 23.2 | 12.4 | 1275 | 74 | |
| 2. | Sony A7S III | Full Frame | 12.0 | 4240 | 2832 | 4K/120p | 23.7 | 13.9 | 2520 | 86 | |
| 3. | Fujifilm X-A1 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.4 | 12.6 | 1390 | 76 | |
| 4. | Fujifilm X-E2 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/60p | 23.4 | 12.6 | 1400 | 77 | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100S | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/60p | 23.3 | 12.5 | 1329 | 75 | |
| 6. | Leica T | APS-C | 16.2 | 4944 | 3278 | 1080/30p | 23.0 | 12.7 | 1082 | 75 | |
| 7. | Leica TL | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.9 | 13.2 | 1690 | 81 | |
| 8. | Leica X1 | APS-C | 12.2 | 4272 | 2856 | none | 22.6 | 11.8 | 1037 | 69 | |
| 9. | Leica X Vario | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3272 | 1080/30p | 23.4 | 12.7 | 1320 | 78 | |
| 10. | Leica X Typ 113 | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.6 | 12.8 | 1491 | 78 | |
| 11. | Nikon Coolpix A | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.4 | 13.8 | 1164 | 80 | |
| 12. | Ricoh GR | APS-C | 16.1 | 4928 | 3264 | 1080/30p | 23.6 | 13.5 | 972 | 78 | |
| 13. | Sony A7R III | Full Frame | 42.2 | 7952 | 5304 | 4K/30p | 26.0 | 14.7 | 3523 | 100 | |
| 14. | Sony A7R IV | Full Frame | 60.2 | 9504 | 6336 | 4K/30p | 26.0 | 14.8 | 3344 | 99 | |
| 15. | Sony A7R IVA | Full Frame | 60.2 | 9504 | 6336 | 4K/30p | 26.0 | 14.8 | 3344 | 99 | |
| 16. | Sony A7S II | Full Frame | 12.0 | 4240 | 2832 | 4K/30p | 23.6 | 13.3 | 2993 | 85 | |
| 17. | Sony A9 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 14.0 | 3434 | 93 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The A7S III indeed provides for movie recording, while the X2 does not. The highest resolution format that the A7S III can use is 4K/120p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the A7S III has an electronic viewfinder (9440k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the X2 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the X2 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the EVF 2. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Leica X2 and Sony A7S III along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

| 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 X2 | optional | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 2. | Sony A7S III | 9440 | n | 3.0 / 1440 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 3. | Fujifilm X-A1 | none | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.6/s | Y | n | |
| 4. | Fujifilm X-E2 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | Y | n | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100S | 2360 | n | 2.8 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
| 6. | Leica T | optional | n | 3.7 / 1230 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 7. | Leica TL | optional | n | 3.7 / 1230 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 8. | Leica X1 | none | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
| 9. | Leica X Vario | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 10. | Leica X Typ 113 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | n | |
| 11. | Nikon Coolpix A | optional | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
| 12. | Ricoh GR | optional | n | 3.0 / 1230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 4.0/s | Y | n | |
| 13. | Sony A7R III | 3686 | n | 3.0 / 1440 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 14. | Sony A7R IV | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 1440 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 15. | Sony A7R IVA | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 2340 | tilting | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
| 16. | Sony A7S II | 2400 | n | 3.0 / 1229 | tilting | n | 1/8000s | 5.0/s | n | Y | |
| 17. | Sony A9 II | 3686 | n | 3.0 / 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 X2 has one, while the A7S III does not. While the built-in flash of the X2 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.
The A7S 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 X2 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 A7S 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 X2 writes its imaging data to SDHC cards, while the A7S III uses CFexpress (type A) or SDXC cards. The A7S III features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the X2 only has one slot. The A7S III supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the X2 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
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 X2 and Sony Alpha 7S III and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica X2 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 2. | Sony A7S III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
| 3. | Fujifilm X-A1 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 4. | Fujifilm X-E2 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100S | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 6. | Leica T | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 7. | Leica TL | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| 8. | Leica X1 | Y | - / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 9. | Leica X Vario | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 10. | Leica X Typ 113 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 11. | Nikon Coolpix A | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 12. | Ricoh GR | Y | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| 13. | Sony A7R III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 14. | Sony A7R IV | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 15. | Sony A7R IVA | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | Y | Y | |
| 16. | Sony A7S II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| 17. | Sony A9 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.1 | Y | Y | Y |
It is notable that the A7S III offers wifi support, which can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location. In contrast, the X2 does not provide wifi capability.
The A7S III is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Sony. In contrast, the X2 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). There has not been a direct replacement model for the X2 from Leica. Further information on the features and operation of the X2 and A7S III can be found, respectively, in the Leica X2 Manual (free pdf) or the online Sony A7S III Manual.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is there a clear favorite between the Leica X2 and the Sony A7S III? Which camera is better? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Advantages of the Leica X2:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (16.1 vs 12MP) with a 16% higher linear resolution.
- Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the A7S III requires a separate lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (124x69mm vs 127x97mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
- Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the A7S III).
- 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 at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in May 2012).

Arguments in favor of the Sony Alpha 7S III:
- 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.
- Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/120p video.
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.7") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1440k vs 230k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 5 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
- More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (600 versus 450) out of a single battery charge.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- 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).
- 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.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards on both slots.
- More modern: Reflects 8 years and 2 months of technical progress since the X2 launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the A7S III is the clear winner of the contest (26 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. 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.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Leica X2 and the Sony A7S III place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Prime Lens Compact Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings 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 X2 or the A7S III perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major 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.

| Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leica X2 | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 3/5 | 4/5 | May 2012 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Sony A7S III | 4.5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 91/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jul 2020 | US$ 3 499 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | Fujifilm X-A1 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2013 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Fujifilm X-E2 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Oct 2013 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Fujifilm X100S | 5/5 | + + | .. | 81/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2013 | US$ 1 299 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Leica T | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2014 | US$ 1 849 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Leica TL | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | Nov 2016 | US$ 1 695 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Leica X1 | 3/5 | .. | .. | + | .. | 4/5 | Sep 2009 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Leica X Vario | 3/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2013 | US$ 2 849 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Leica X Typ 113 | 3.5/5 | .. | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | Sep 2014 | US$ 2 299 | ebay.com | |
| 11. | Nikon Coolpix A | 4/5 | + | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Mar 2013 | US$ 1 099 | ebay.com | |
| 12. | Ricoh GR | 5/5 | .. | .. | 79/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2013 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
| 13. | Sony A7R III | .. | + + | 4/5 | 90/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Oct 2017 | US$ 3 199 | ebay.com | |
| 14. | Sony A7R IV | 5/5 | + | 4.5/5 | 91/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jul 2019 | US$ 3 499 | ebay.com | |
| 15. | Sony A7R IVA | 5/5 | + | 4.5/5 | 91/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Apr 2021 | US$ 3 499 | amazon.com | |
| 16. | Sony A7S II | 5/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2015 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| 17. | Sony A9 II | .. | .. | 5/5 | 90/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Oct 2019 | US$ 4 499 | 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. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Check X2 offers at
ebay.com

Check A7S III price at
amazon.com
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. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon D30 vs Sony A7S III
- Canon T7 vs Sony A7S III
- Fujifilm X-A1 vs Leica X2
- Hasselblad X1D II vs Sony A7S III
- Leica D-LUX 7 vs Leica X2
- Leica D-LUX 8 vs Sony A7S III
- Leica Q3 vs Sony A7S III
- Leica X Typ 113 vs Leica X2
- Leica X2 vs Nikon Z6
- Leica X2 vs Olympus E-M1 II
- Leica X2 vs Panasonic FZ2000
- Nikon D750 vs Sony A7S III
Specifications: Leica X2 vs Sony A7S 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 Model | Leica X2 | Sony A7S III |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | Mirrorless system camera |
| Camera Lens | 36mm f/2.8 | Sony E mount lenses |
| Launch Date | May 2012 | July 2020 |
| Launch Price | USD 1,999 | USD 3,499 |
| Sensor Specs | Leica X2 | Sony A7S III |
| Sensor Technology | CMOS | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | Full Frame Sensor |
| Sensor Size | 23.7 x 15.6 mm | 35.6 x 23.8 mm |
| Sensor Area | 369.72 mm2 | 847.28 mm2 |
| Sensor Diagonal | 28.4 mm | 42.8 mm |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x | 1.0x |
| Sensor Resolution | 16.1 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Image Resolution | 4928 x 3264 pixels | 4240 x 2832 pixels |
| Pixel Pitch | 4.79 μm | 8.40 μm |
| Pixel Density | 4.35 MP/cm2 | 1.42 MP/cm2 |
| Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
| Movie Capability | no Video | 4K/120p Video |
| ISO Setting | 100 - 12,500 ISO | 80 - 102,400 ISO |
| ISO Boost | no Enhancement | 40 - 409,600 ISO |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | .. | 86 |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | .. | 23.7 |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | .. | 13.9 |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | .. | 2520 |
| Screen Specs | Leica X2 | Sony A7S III |
| Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | Electronic viewfinder |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.91x | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 9440k dots | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| Rear LCD Size | 2.7inch | 3.0inch |
| LCD Resolution | 230k dots | 1440k dots |
| LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Swivel screen |
| Touch Input | no Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
| Shooting Specs | Leica X2 | Sony A7S III |
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | On-Sensor Phase-detect |
| Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | Focus Peaking |
| Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous Shooting | 5 shutter flaps/s | 10 shutter flaps/s |
| Electronic Shutter | no E-Shutter | YES |
| Image Stabilization | no shake reduction | In-body stabilization |
| Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | no On-Board Flash |
| Storage Medium | SDHC cards | CFexA or SDXC cards |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Dual card slots |
| UHS card support | no | Dual UHS-II |
| Connectivity Specs | Leica X2 | Sony A7S III |
| External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | USB 3.2 |
| HDMI Port | mini HDMI | full HDMI |
| Microphone Port | no MIC socket | External MIC port |
| Headphone Socket | no Headphone port | Headphone port |
| Wifi Support | no Wifi | Wifi built-in |
| Bluetooth Support | no Bluetooth | Bluetooth built-in |
| Body Specs | Leica X2 | Sony A7S III |
| Environmental Sealing | not weather sealed | Weathersealed body |
| Battery Type | Leica BP-DC8 | Sony NP-FZ100 |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 450 shots per charge | 600 shots per charge |
| In-Camera Charging | no USB charging | USB charging |
| Body Dimensions |
124 x 69 x 52 mm (4.9 x 2.7 x 2.0 in) |
127 x 97 x 81 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.2 in) |
| Camera Weight | 345 g (12.2 oz) | 699 g (24.7 oz) |

Check X2 offers at
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Check A7S III price at
amazon.com
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