Leica
SL3
60MP L-mount flagship with 8K video and Leica color science.
$6,995
Released Mar 2024
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Released Oct 2021
SL3 is 2.4 years newer.
Wins
SL3
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- ASL3 has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- ASL3 has lower ISO min (native) (50 vs 100)
- ASL3 has higher ISO max (native) (100,000 vs 51,200)
- ASL3 has higher Resolution (60.3 MP vs 33 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
SL3
141 × 108 × 85 mm
769 g (1.70 lb / 27.13 oz)
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
SL3 is 10mm wider, 12mm taller, and 5mm thicker than Alpha 7 IV.
SL3 is 111 g heavier than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 85mm SL3 · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Sensor size, to scale
SL3
36 × 24 mm · Full Frame
864 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
SL3
Leica L
80+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
SL3
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 141.2, 108, 84.6
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
ISO min (native)
50 vs 100 — lower is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
ISO max (native)
100,000 vs 51,200 — higher is better
Resolution
60.3 MP vs 33 MP — higher is better
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 3,686,400 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds Apple ProRes
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 7 fps — higher is better
Weight
658 g vs 769 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
- ✓In-body stabilization — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
SL3
Pros
- ✓60MP
- ✓8K video
- ✓Leica build
- ✓L-mount
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Heavy
- –Large files
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for travel, SL3 or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 7.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for SL3 — 658g — manageable for travel.
What's the resolution difference between the SL3 and Alpha 7 IV?
SL3 is 60.3 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the SL3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the SL3 and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
SL3 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the SL3 or the Alpha 7 IV?
SL3 reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the SL3 and Alpha 7 IV?
SL3 weighs 769 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the Alpha 7 IV is 111 g lighter.
Do the SL3 and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
SL3: 8K / C8K (max), 4K up to 60p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the SL3 and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
SL3: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
How much does each cost?
SL3 launched at $6,995 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The Alpha 7 IV is $4,496 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Leica and Sony press materials.