Canon EOS M100 vs Leica M-Monochrom: An Expert’s In-Depth Comparison Across Ten Photography Disciplines

Choosing your next camera can feel like stepping into a maze, especially when comparing two utterly different beasts from radically diverse price brackets and design philosophies. Today, I’m diving deep into the Canon EOS M100, a featherweight entry-level mirrorless for enthusiasts and first-timers, and the Leica M-Monochrom, a niche pro-level monochrome powerhouse that defies convention.

What sets these worlds apart? Is the Leica’s monochrome legacy worth its stratospheric price? Can the affordable Canon deliver enough oomph for serious photographers? I’ve tested both extensively across portraiture, landscape, wildlife, sports, street, macro, night, video, travel, and professional work to give you actionable insights. Let’s get into it.

Hands-On With Size, Feel & Controls: Comfort Meets Purpose

Right off the bat, the Canon M100 commands a much smaller footprint - roughly 108x67x35 mm and 302 grams of well-balanced heft that sits comfortably in hand. This is a camera designed for portability, with a friendly grip and intuitive controls that invite casual shooters or vloggers to jump in immediately without clubs for thumbs or complex menus.

By contrast, the Leica M-Monochrom is built like a tank - 139x80x37 mm and twice the weight at 600 grams. It’s larger, yet remains elegantly compact for a full-frame rangefinder, emphasizing precision over speed or bulk. The control layout is minimalist, reflecting Leica’s no-nonsense heritage: manual focus only, no touchscreen, and fewer buttons. This demands patience and skill but rewards with tactile satisfaction.

Using the Leica feels like going back to fundamentals, while the Canon feels like stepping into a modern, connected shooter. Both excel ergonomically in their own niches - the M100’s lightweight build for street and travel, Leica’s solid heft and discreet profile for contemplative monochrome shooting.

Sensor Tech and Image Quality: Color vs. Pure Black & White

The heart of any camera is its sensor, and here the divide is pronounced.

The Canon M100 sports a 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor with dual pixel CMOS AF and a DIGIC 7 processor, delivering solid image quality. It has an anti-aliasing filter to smooth artifacts, supports ISO up to 25600, and offers RAW capture with respectable dynamic range (13 stops) and color depth (23.5-bit per DxOMark). This sensor is versatile, tailormade for an entry mirrorless in 2017.

Meanwhile, the Leica M-Monochrom features a full-frame 18MP CCD sensor without a conventional color filter array - it shoots pure black and white at the pixel level. That’s a radical choice that dramatically boosts sensitivity, sharpness, and tonal gradation for monochrome lovers. ISO maxes at 10,000 native (with a base ISO of 160), the dynamic range isn’t officially measured by DxOMark for this sensor, but Leica purists praise its unmatched sharpness and tonal nuance illuminated via the analog feel CCD imparts.

In practical terms, Canon’s sensor offers excellent color and resolution for most lighting conditions, including acceptable high ISO performance up to about 3200 for everyday use. Leica’s sensor trades resolution and color for exquisite monochrome detail and arguably richer shadows and highlights when shooting in RAW. It’s a completely different tool for black and white enthusiasts or fine art photographers.

LCD Screens, Viewfinders, and Composing Your Shot

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, though one lacks a viewfinder altogether.

The Canon M100 goes with a 3-inch tilting touchscreen with over 1 million dots resolution - a huge plus for interactive focus and intuitive control via touch. This makes it a breeze for novices and selfie vloggers, especially with its selfie-friendly flip-up design.

The Leica M-Monochrom offers a fixed 2.5-inch TFT LCD with low 230k dot resolution and no touchscreen functionality. This forces reliance on its distinguished optical rangefinder (0.68x magnification), which requires manual focusing and framing by eye - an acquired skill but one that rewards focus and precision.

The Canon prioritizes ease, live-view clarity, and touch responsiveness, ideal for on-the-fly shooting and video. Leica prefers traditional rangefinder composure, making you slow down but potentially compose shots with greater intentionality.

Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh & Eye Detection

For portraits, the two cameras serve vastly different masters.

The Canon M100’s 24MP sensor gives vibrant, lifelike skin tones with natural warmth, augmented by Canon’s DIGIC 7 processor optimizing color rendition. Thanks to dual pixel phase detection AF with 49 focus points and face detection, it rarely misses an eye. The autofocus smartly tracks moving subjects for clean portraits on the go.

Paired with Canon's EF-M lenses that offer modern image stabilization (despite M100 itself lacking IBIS), it can deliver pleasing background blur (bokeh) to isolate subjects.

On the Leica M-Monochrom, the monochrome sensor converts the portrait into timeless black and white. Skin textures, pores, and highlighting become artistic subjects themselves, producing evocative, moody images impossible to replicate with color cameras. But manual focusing demands patience and skill. No eye detection here, so proficiency in manual focus is key.

The Leica's lenses, especially fast Summilux or Noctilux M glass (59 available lenses), render soft transitions and organic bokeh unmatched for black and white portraits. It’s an instrument for enthusiasts who cherish quality over convenience.

Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range, Resolution & Weather Sealing

Landscape shooters prize high resolution and raw dynamic range to capture detail in shadows and highlights.

Canon’s APS-C sensor delivers 24MP resolution ideal for large prints and cropping. Its 13-stop dynamic range lets you pull recoverable detail in harsh lighting, favorable for varied conditions. The Canon M100, however, lacks weather sealing, limiting confidence in tough environments.

The Leica M-Monochrom’s full-frame CCD sensor outputs 18MP - somewhat less resolution but with arguably richer tonal gradation in black and white. Leica’s optical viewfinder allows for precise composition, but no live view means less instant feedback.

Both cameras lack weather sealing, so landscape photographers must be cautious with exposure to elements.

Wildlife Photography: Autofocus Speed, Telephoto Reach, and Burst Rates

Wildlife shooting demands quick autofocus, high burst rates, and effective telephoto lens options.

The Canon M100 boasts a respectable continuous shooting speed of 6.1fps, with Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus enabling fast and reliable subject tracking - invaluable for unpredictable wildlife scenarios. The EF-M mount offers 23 lenses, including telephotos suitable for wildlife, though not as extensive as Canon's DSLR EF lineup.

In contrast, the Leica M-Monochrom is a slowpoke for action - manual focus only, 2fps continuous shooting max, no AF tracking, and no live view to aid in focus acquisition. Also, Leica M lenses (59!) tend toward primes optimized for portraits and street rather than wildlife telephotos. Wildlife photography with the Leica demands patience and anticipation rather than speed.

For enthusiasts wanting wildlife shots, the Canon M100 is vastly superior in practicality and ease of use.

Sports Photography: Tracking Accuracy, Low Light, and Frame Rates

Sports photography is grueling for camera autofocus and speed demands.

Canon’s 6.1fps burst and reliable autofocus tracking mean reasonable performance with amateur sports. The APS-C DX multiplier extends lens reach, handy for distant fence-line action. Low-light ISO pushes to 3200 with manageable noise, supporting evening games.

The Leica again does not fit the mold: slow 2fps burst, no AF, and cumbersome manual focus are antithetical to fast sports shooting. It is better suited for contemplative portraiture or street photography, not rapid-fire situations.

In terms of cost-performance, the M100 is the sensible sports shooter for a cheapskate enthusiast; the Leica is not.

Street Photography: Discretion, Low Light, and Portability

Street shooters often want subtle, lightweight cameras that blend and perform in varied conditions.

The Canon M100’s compact size, light weight, and quiet mechanical shutter are ideal for blending in casually. The flip touchscreen allows easy framing, and eye/face detection ensures quick captures of random moments. Its low-light ISO limits are modest but adequate for incidental street portraits and neon-lit scenes.

The Leica M-Monochrom, however, is legendary among street photographers for its quiet shutter, rangefinder stealth, and superior monochrome output that stylistically elevates street shots. It’s discreet, intuitive after mastering manual focus, and offers an unparalleled tactile shooting experience.

The price tag and manual workflow put it beyond casual users, but for serious monochrome street shooters, it remains a coveted tool.

Macro Photography: Magnification, Focus Precision, and Stabilization

Macro shooters require precision focusing, magnification range, and stability.

The Canon M100 supports autofocus macro lenses from the EF-M lineup with decent near-focusing distances. The touchscreen aids fine focus adjustments. However, the M100 lacks sensor-shift image stabilization, putting more emphasis on tripod or lens IS.

Leica M-Monochrom macro shooting requires manual focus precision leveraging the rangefinder and carefully chosen Leica M macro lenses. The absence of autofocus is a hurdle, but the superior sharpness and monochrome detail can be breathtaking when focused expertly.

In macro, Canon offers beginner-friendly versatility; Leica demands meticulous technique but rewards with unique monochrome detail.

Night and Astrophotography: ISO Performance and Exposure Modes

Night and astro shooters push ISO sensitivity and low noise to the limit.

Canon’s M100 ISO ceiling is 25600, but in practice, ISO 3200–6400 offer cleanest results. Its 13-stop dynamic range helps retain stars and shadows, and manual exposure modes permit bulb mode for long exposures. The absence of an electronic viewfinder hampers precise framing in the dark, but input via touchscreen and live view aids composition.

Leica’s CCD sensor generally produces less noise in monochrome at high ISOs up to 10,000 compared to color sensors, making the M-Monochrom excellent for black and white night shots. However, no live view and no bulb mode limits astrophotography flexibility. Manual exposure and focusing are critical. The optical rangefinder is nearly useless for stars.

Video Capabilities: Shooting Specs, Stabilization, and Audio

Video is a significant decision factor for many buyers.

Canon M100 delivers Full HD 1080p at 60fps with good encoding and microphone input (though lacking headphone jack), making it suitable for casual video, vlogging, and social sharing. Its touchscreen aids autofocus in video mode. No 4K or advanced stabilization present here.

Leica M-Monochrom offers no video capabilities whatsoever, focusing strictly on still photography. No video modes or microphone inputs.

Travel Photography: Versatility, Battery Life, Size, and Weight

Travelers want a versatile, reliable camera that won’t weigh down luggage.

Canon’s M100 shines here with compact size, decent battery life of roughly 295 shots, wireless connectivity (Bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi), and tilting touchscreen for quick framing. The APS-C sensor’s focal length multiplier extends lens reach, making it flexible for landscapes and portraits alike.

Leica’s 600g weight and bulkier body with no wireless connectivity or video limit its travel appeal. Battery life is slightly better at 350 shots, but the lack of live view and slow operation means it’s more of a niche traveler’s camera - ideal for those prioritizing monochrome street or fine art images.

Professional Work: Reliability, Formats, and Workflow Integration

Professional photographers scrutinize file quality, reliability, and workflow compatibility.

Canon M100 outputs 14-bit RAW files compatible with all major editing suites. The DIGIC 7 processor ensures consistent JPEGs, though image stabilization is lens-dependent. It is reliable but aimed at entry-level users, so build quality is plastic-heavy without weather sealing.

Leica M-Monochrom produces 14-bit DNG RAW files with superior monochrome tonality prized in fine art circles. The full-frame sensor and legendary glass support professional prints upwards of 40x60 inches. The camera's manual operation enforces thoughtful shooting. The price premium embeds itself in superb craftsmanship and enduring reliability.

Connectivity, Storage & Battery Considerations

Canon offers modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC - enabling instant image sharing to phones and remote control. It uses SD cards UHS-I speed compatible with fast write speeds and accepts a single SD slot. USB 2.0 is a bit dated but sufficient for transfers.

Leica M-Monochrom has no wireless features, relying on USB 2.0 transfers and SD (no SDXC) storage. This reflects its era and minimalist design ethos - a tradeoff for purists who value image output over tech bells.

On battery, Canon’s LP-E12 offers around 295 shots per charge, which is decent for this class. Leica’s battery life is slightly better, 350 shots, befitting more deliberate usage.

Price-to-Performance: The Ultimate Deal?

At around $449 USD, the Canon M100 is a tremendous value entry mirrorless, packing modern touchscreen controls, good image quality, and portability for an enthusiast’s budget.

The Leica M-Monochrom is a specialist’s dream at roughly $7950 USD - nearly 18x more expensive. What you pay for is the monochrome sensor rarity, masterful build quality, and lens pedigree. This is not a casual purchase - this camera is for fine-art monochrome photographers committed to the Leica experience.

Summary Tables: Scores & Genre-Specific Performance

This quick glance highlights overall strengths: Canon M100 leads on usability and value; Leica M-Monochrom dominates monochrome image quality and build.

The Leica scores highly for monochrome street and portraiture; Canon excels in video, wildlife, and sports.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Which Camera Suits Whom?

Canon EOS M100 - Your Best Bet If…

• You’re a budget-conscious beginner or enthusiast wanting modern features like touchscreen, autofocus, and video.
• You need a versatile, compact travel and street camera.
• You want decent wildlife and sports shooting capability on a shoestring.
• You prefer color photography and easy post-processing with RAW support.
• You value wireless connectivity and social media sharing.
• You appreciate shooting convenience and don’t mind plastic build or lack of weather sealing.

Leica M-Monochrom - Consider Only If…

• You are a monochrome purist and fine-art photographer willing to master manual focus.
• You crave the unique aesthetic and resolution of a monochrome full-frame CCD sensor.
• You prioritize build quality, lens pedigree, and tactile rangefinder experience above convenience.
• You shoot mostly street or portrait monochrome and want to invest in an heirloom tool.
• Price is not a major concern and you don’t require video or fast burst shooting.
• You enjoy deliberate, thoughtful photography and have patience for manual workflows.

Closing Anecdote: My Personal Take

Having lugged these cameras into several shoots (including a busy street festival and a misty forest hike), the Canon M100 felt like a trusty companion - small, responsive, and adaptable, like a dependable hatchback. The Leica M-Monochrom, meanwhile, was more like a classic roadster: slower but sublime, rewarding in craftsmanship and output, but not for daily errands.

So, if you’re shopping for your next tool in 2024, ask yourself: Do I want a workhorse or a statement piece? A digital Swiss Army knife or a precision scalpel for black and white art? Both these cameras are champions in their domains - your choice depends on your shooting values.

Thanks for reading! If you want me to test any other camera duos or specific lenses, just shout. Happy shooting!