Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1
78 Imaging
64 Features
23 Overall
47


91 Imaging
40 Features
56 Overall
46
Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 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
- Announced May 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
- Launched January 2012
- Replacement is Nikon 1 J2

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 Overview
On this page, we will be evaluating the Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Nikon. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and 1 J1 (10MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and 1 J1 (1") boast totally different sensor sizing.

The M-Monochrom was manufactured 4 months after the 1 J1 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the M-Monochrom matches up against the 1 J1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J1. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica M-Monochrom Gallery and Nikon 1 J1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon 1 J1
M-Monochrom | 1 J1 |
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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Leica M-Monochrom
1 J1 | M-Monochrom | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J1
M-Monochrom | 1 J1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | May 2012 | ![]() | January 2012 | Similar generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica M-Monochrom enjoys outer dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon 1 J1 has dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs).
Examine the Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the M-Monochrom compared to the 1 J1.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and 1 J1 is 78 and 91 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing specifications. The picture below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the M-Monochrom and 1 J1.
To sum up, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The M-Monochrom because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Leica M-Monochrom will deliver extra detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J1 Specifications
Leica M-Monochrom | Nikon 1 J1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Leica | Nikon |
Model type | Leica M-Monochrom | Nikon 1 J1 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-05-10 | 2012-01-20 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1" |
Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixel | 10 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 3872 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 10000 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | - | 135 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Leica M | Nikon 1 |
Number of lenses | 59 | 13 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | None |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 32 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Highest silent shutter speed | - | 1/16000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 5.00 m |
Flash modes | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/60 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600 grams (1.32 pounds) | 234 grams (0.52 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 56 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.5 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.0 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 372 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 pictures | 230 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | EN-EL20 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Card slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $7,950 | $625 |