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Leica

SL3-S

Fast 24.6MP L-mount hybrid with 6K open-gate video, 30fps burst, and 5-axis stabilization.

$5,295

Launch price

Released Jan 2025

vs
Alpha 1 II

Sony

Alpha 1 II

50MP stacked flagship with 30fps RAW, 8K video, and Sony's fastest hybrid performance.

$6,499

Launch price

Released Nov 2024

SL3-S is 2 months newer.

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Wins

5categories

SL3-S

Video & HybridLandscape

Wins

8categories

Alpha 1 II

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

SL3-S wins 2 categories·Alpha 1 II wins 3 categories
  • ASL3-S has higher ISO max (native) (200,000 vs 32,000)
  • BAlpha 1 II has higher Resolution (50.1 MP vs 24.6 MP)
  • ASL3-S has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
  • BAlpha 1 II has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
  • BAlpha 1 II has higher EVF refresh rate (240 Hz vs 120 Hz)

Key specs at a glance

SL3-SAlpha 1 II
Resolution24.6 MP50.1 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max200,00032,000
Burst30 fps30 fps
4K60 fps120 fps
IBIS5-stop8.5-stop
Weight768 g743 g
Battery520 shots

Size and weight, to scale

SL3-S

141 × 108 × 83 mm

768 g (1.69 lb / 27.09 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Alpha 1 II front view

Alpha 1 II

136 × 97 × 83 mm

743 g (1.64 lb / 26.21 oz)

SL3-S is 5mm wider and 11mm taller than Alpha 1 II.

SL3-S is 25 g heavier than Alpha 1 II.

Depth (front-to-back): 83mm SL3-S · 83mm Alpha 1 II

Sensor size, to scale

SL3-S

36 × 24 mm · Full Frame

864 mm² area

Alpha 1 II

35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame

862 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

SL3-S

Leica L

80+

native lenses available

30 first-party50 third-party

Alpha 1 II

✓ more lenses

Sony E

350+

native lenses available

80 first-party270 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseSL3-SAlpha 1 II
Portrait
7.5Good
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
7.5Good
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
8.5Excellent
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
8.0Excellent
9.0Excellent✓ wins
Travel
4.5Fair
6.0Good✓ wins
Wildlife
6.5Good
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Vlogging
5.5Fair
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

SL3-S

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 141.2, 108, 82.7

  • ISO max (native)

    200,000 vs 32,000 — higher is better

  • ISO min (native)

    50 vs 100 — lower is better

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B

  • Codecs

    Adds Apple ProRes

  • Max video bit rate

    200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • AF frame coverage

    100 % vs 94 % — higher is better

  • AF points / zones

    779 vs 759 — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Alpha 1 II

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…

  • Codecs

    Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I

  • Resolution

    50.1 MP vs 24.6 MP — higher is better

  • AA filter

    Only Alpha 1 II supports it

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Alpha 1 II supports it

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type A

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Burst (electronic)Both 30 fps
  • Internal RAW videoBoth support internal raw video
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

SL3-S

Pros

  • 6K open-gate video
  • 30fps electronic burst
  • 24.6MP full-frame
  • CFexpress plus SD

Cons

  • Lower resolution than SL3
  • Large body
  • Premium price

Alpha 1 II

Pros

  • 50MP stacked sensor
  • 30fps blackout-free burst
  • 8K 30p video
  • Best Sony AF

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Complex menus
  • Large files

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the SL3-S and Alpha 1 II at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

SL3-S
Alpha 1 II
Resolution
24.6 MP
50.1 MP2× more
Sensor type
Full-frame BSI CMOS
Full Frame Stacked Exmor RS CMOS
Sensor size
36 x 24 mm
35.9 × 24.0 mm
AA filter
No
Yes
SL3-S
Alpha 1 II
Processor
Maestro IV
BIONZ XR + AI processing unit
SL3-S
Alpha 1 II
ISO min (native)
50−50 less
100
ISO max (native)
200,000+2.6 stops
32,000
ISO max (expanded)
200,000
102,400
SL3-S
Alpha 1 II
Shutter type
Mechanical focal-plane + electronic shutter
Mechanical + Electronic
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/8000 sec
Max electronic speed
1/16000 sec
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for wildlife, SL3-S or Alpha 1 II?

Alpha 1 II scores 9.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for SL3-S — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.

What's the resolution difference between the SL3-S and Alpha 1 II?

SL3-S is 24.6 MP and Alpha 1 II is 50.1 MP, so the Alpha 1 II captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the SL3-S and Alpha 1 II have in-body image stabilization?

SL3-S has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 1 II has 8.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the SL3-S or the Alpha 1 II?

SL3-S reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 1 II reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the SL3-S and Alpha 1 II?

SL3-S weighs 768 g and Alpha 1 II weighs 743 g, so the Alpha 1 II is 25 g lighter.

Do the SL3-S and Alpha 1 II record 4K video?

SL3-S: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p. Alpha 1 II: 8K (max), 4K up to 120p.

Are the SL3-S and Alpha 1 II weather sealed?

SL3-S: Yes. Alpha 1 II: Yes.

How much does each cost?

SL3-S launched at $5,295 and Alpha 1 II at $6,499. The SL3-S is $1,204 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way SL3-S vs Alpha 1 II vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Leica and Sony press materials.