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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
23
Overall
47
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Nikon 1 J2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 Key Specs

Leica M-Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 10000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Revealed May 2012
Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J1
  • New Model is Nikon 1 J3
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J2, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Nikon. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and 1 J2 (10MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and 1 J2 (1") possess different sensor measurements.

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The M-Monochrom was unveiled 3 months before the 1 J2 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the M-Monochrom scores vs the 1 J2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon 1 J2

 M-Monochrom 1 J2 

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 1 J2 M-Monochrom 
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J2

 M-Monochrom 1 J2 
AnnouncedMay 2012August 2012Similar generation
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Leica M-Monochrom has got external measurements 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 J2 has specifications of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the M-Monochrom versus the 1 J2.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and 1 J2 is 78 and 91 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The graphic underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and 1 J2.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom with its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Leica M-Monochrom will deliver more detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography highlights
Nikon 1 J2 Portrait photography highlights
70
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
48
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Street photography camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
69
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (238g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Nikon 1 J2
44
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
48
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (1")
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography features
Nikon 1 J2 Travel photography features
54
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (350 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
lighter than competition in class (238 grams)
flash built-in
bad battery life (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography info
Nikon 1 J2 Landscape photography info
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
56
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
bad battery life (230 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Nikon 1 J2 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
30
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (238g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone support
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J2
 Leica M-MonochromNikon 1 J2
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Nikon 1 J2
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2012-08-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 3
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
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 10000 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 135
Lens
Lens support Leica M Nikon 1
Number of lenses 59 13
Focal length multiplier 1 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.00 m
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s 1/60s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 data 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 pounds) 238g (0.52 pounds)
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 Overall rating not tested 54
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.3
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.8
DXO Low light rating not tested 363
Other
Battery life 350 images 230 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL20
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Retail price $7,950 $550