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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Nikon 1 J3 front
Portability
92
Imaging
45
Features
63
Overall
52

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 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 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Superseded the Nikon 1 J2
  • New Model is Nikon 1 J4
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and 1 J3 (14MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and 1 J3 (1") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The M-Monochrom was released 18 months prior to the 1 J3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go into a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the M-Monochrom grades versus the 1 J3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon 1 J3

 M-Monochrom 1 J3 

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 1 J3 M-Monochrom 
LaunchedNovember 2013May 2012More modern by 18 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J3

 M-Monochrom 1 J3 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica M-Monochrom enjoys physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Nikon 1 J3 has dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the M-Monochrom and the 1 J3.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and 1 J3 is 78 and 92 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and 1 J3.

Clearly, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom because of its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon 1 J3 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview
59
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography details
Nikon 1 J3 Street photography details
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
70
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (201 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Nikon 1 J3
45
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
58
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is good (1")
features tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (220 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with Nikon 1 J3
54
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery (350 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
69
lighter than competition in class (201g)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery life (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography factors
Nikon 1 J3 Landscape photography factors
58
manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery (350 shots)
does not have Timelapse recording
64
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (220 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M-Monochrom
Vlogging with Nikon 1 J3
9
can't shoot video
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (201g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic port
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J3
 Leica M-MonochromNikon 1 J3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model Leica M-Monochrom Nikon 1 J3
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2013-11-30
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5212 x 3472 4608 x 3072
Highest native ISO 10000 6400
Min native ISO 160 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 135
Cross focus points - 41
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Nikon 1
Available lenses 59 13
Focal length multiplier 1 2.7
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology 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 32 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 15.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.00 m
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/60 secs
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)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 201 grams (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 52
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.0
DXO Low light score not tested 420
Other
Battery life 350 photos 220 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL20
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $7,950 $170