Sony Alpha A7S III vs Leica SL2-S
Sony Alpha A7S III has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The Alpha A7S III is the better pick for astrophotography; the SL2-S is better for travel, portraits, wildlife, sports.
Choose the Alpha A7S III for
- a lighter body (699g vs 931g)
- stronger video (4K 120p 10-bit)
- more lenses in our database (105 vs 64)
Choose the SL2-S for
- more resolution (24.6MP vs 12.1MP)
- faster bursts (25fps vs 10fps)
- a lower price (from £1,649)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Alpha A7S III | SL2-S |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 12.1MP | Full frame, 24.6MP |
| Mount | Sony FE (full frame) | L-Mount (Lumix S, Leica SL) |
| Released | 2020 | 2020 |
| Burst | 10 fps | 25 fps |
| Readout | — | — |
| Max ISO | 409,600 | 100,000 |
| Stabilisation | In-body | In-body |
| Video | 4K 120p 10-bit | 4K 60p (10-bit) |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 699 g | 931 g |
| Battery | Sony NP-FZ100 | Leica BP-SCL4 |
| Card slots | 2×CFexpress A/SD | 2× SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | £3,389 | No longer sold new |
| Used at MPB | £1,789–2,249 | £1,649–2,039 |
| Native lenses in our database | 105 (82 third-party) | 64 (39 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | About equal |
| Everyday & travel | SL2-S |
| Portraits | SL2-S |
| Landscape | About equal |
| Wildlife & animals | SL2-S |
| Sports & action | SL2-S |
| Astrophotography | Alpha A7S III |
| Vlogging & video | About equal |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The Alpha A7S III uses Sony E / FE (105 lenses in our database, 82 third-party) and the SL2-S uses L-Mount (64 lenses, 39 third-party). Batteries: Sony NP-FZ100 (about £65) vs Leica BP-SCL4.
Alpha A7S III compatible lenses → · SL2-S compatible lenses → ·
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sony Alpha A7S III better than the Leica SL2-S?
It depends on your priorities. The Alpha A7S III offers a lighter body (699g vs 931g), stronger video (4K 120p 10-bit), more lenses in our database (105 vs 64); the SL2-S offers more resolution (24.6MP vs 12.1MP), faster bursts (25fps vs 10fps), a lower price (from £1,649).
Which is better for video, the Alpha A7S III or the SL2-S?
The Alpha A7S III is stronger for video: Alpha A7S III records 4K 120p 10-bit, SL2-S records 4K 60p (10-bit).
Which is cheaper, the Alpha A7S III or the SL2-S?
The Alpha A7S III costs £3,389 new and from £1,789 used at MPB; the SL2-S costs No longer sold new new and from £1,649 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Sony Alpha A7S III lenses on the SL2-S?
Not directly. The Alpha A7S III uses Sony E / FE and the SL2-S uses L-Mount; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.