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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Nikon 1 J4 front
Portability
92
Imaging
49
Features
62
Overall
54

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 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
  • Announced May 2012
Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Earlier Model is Nikon 1 J3
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J5
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J4, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the 1 J4 (18MP) is very similar but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and 1 J4 (1") boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The M-Monochrom was introduced 23 months earlier than the 1 J4 making them a generation apart from each other. The two cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the M-Monochrom grades vs the 1 J4 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon 1 J4

 M-Monochrom 1 J4 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 1 J4 M-Monochrom 
AnnouncedApril 2014May 2012More recent by 23 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J4

 M-Monochrom 1 J4 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Leica M-Monochrom has got 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) whilst the Nikon 1 J4 has specifications of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J4 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the M-Monochrom vs the 1 J4.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and 1 J4 is 78 and 92 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over specifications. The visual underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and 1 J4.

To sum up, both the cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor measurements. The M-Monochrom uses the larger sensor which will make achieving bokeh less difficult. The older M-Monochrom is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon 1 J4 as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
56
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW files
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Street photography camera
Nikon 1 J4 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
74
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW files
provides focus via touch
lighter than others (232 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography factors
Nikon 1 J4 Sports photography factors
45
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (350 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
62
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
fast continuous shooting (60.0 fps)
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Travel photography camera
Nikon 1 J4 as a Travel photography camera
54
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (350 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
69
lighter than others (232 grams)
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography advice
Nikon 1 J4 Landscape photography advice
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (350 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
56
interchangeable lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
supports RAW files
manual focus not available
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Nikon 1 J4 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
34
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (232 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic support
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J4 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J4
 Leica M-MonochromNikon 1 J4
General Information
Brand Name Leica Nikon
Model Leica M-Monochrom Nikon 1 J4
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-10 2014-04-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 4
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 18MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 5232 x 3488
Max native ISO 10000 12800
Min native ISO 160 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 171
Cross focus points - 105
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Nikon 1
Number of lenses 59 13
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 32s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 60.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 5.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 lbs) 232g (0.51 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 images 300 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL22
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card microSD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $7,950 $600