Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8
78 Imaging
64 Features
23 Overall
47


79 Imaging
50 Features
31 Overall
42
Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 10000
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Revealed May 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-H Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 2500
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 591g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Released July 2007

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8 Overview
Lets look more in depth at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Leica M8, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and they are both created by Leica. There is a large difference among the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and M8 (10MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and M8 (APS-H) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

The M-Monochrom was brought out 4 years later than the M8 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the M-Monochrom scores against the M8 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M-Monochrom & Leica M8. The entire galleries are provided at Leica M-Monochrom Gallery & Leica M8 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Leica M8
M-Monochrom | M8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2012 | ![]() | July 2007 | Fresher by 59 months |
Reasons to pick Leica M8 over the Leica M-Monochrom
M8 | M-Monochrom |
---|
Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Leica M8
M-Monochrom | M8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 2.5" | ![]() | 2.5" | Same display sizing |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Leica M-Monochrom has external dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Leica M8 has specifications of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 591 grams (1.30 lbs).
Look at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Leica M8 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the M-Monochrom against the M8.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and M8 is 78 and 79 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is very tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing technical specs. The visual here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and M8.
As you can tell, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Leica M-Monochrom will result in extra detail having its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The younger M-Monochrom is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Leica M8 Specifications
Leica M-Monochrom | Leica M8 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Leica |
Model type | Leica M-Monochrom | Leica M8 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-05-10 | 2007-07-31 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-H |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 27 x 18mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 486.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 3936 x 2630 |
Max native ISO | 10000 | 2500 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 160 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Leica M | Leica M |
Total lenses | 59 | 59 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.3 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5 inch | 2.5 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | Optical (rangefinder) |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 32 seconds | 8 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/180 seconds | 1/250 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | None | None |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 lb) | 591g (1.30 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 59 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 663 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 550 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC card |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $7,950 | $4,400 |