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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Nikon 1 J5 front
Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
78
Overall
63

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 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
  • Released May 2012
Nikon 1 J5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 231g - 98 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed April 2015
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 J4
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Nikon 1 J5, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the 1 J5 (21MP) is very similar but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and 1 J5 (1") use totally different sensor sizes.

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The M-Monochrom was brought out 3 years prior to the 1 J5 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the M-Monochrom grades against the 1 J5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon 1 J5

 M-Monochrom 1 J5 

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J5 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 1 J5 M-Monochrom 
RevealedApril 2015May 2012Newer by 35 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J5

 M-Monochrom 1 J5 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom has got exterior dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Nikon 1 J5 has sizing of 98mm x 60mm x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs).

Compare the Leica M-Monochrom versus Nikon 1 J5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the M-Monochrom versus the 1 J5.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and 1 J5 is 78 and 91 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to see the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and 1 J5.

Clearly, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M-Monochrom due to its larger sensor will make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon 1 J5 will offer you extra detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images much more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography details
Nikon 1 J5 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
65
focusing manually
MP count good (21MP)
good sensor size (1")
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Street photography with Nikon 1 J5
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
80
screen tilts
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
lighter than average (231g)
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography highlights
Nikon 1 J5 Sports photography highlights
45
decent megapixels (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
64
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
high fps (20.0 fps)
MP count good (21MP)
good sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography advice
Nikon 1 J5 Travel photography advice
54
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
80
lighter than average (231g)
provides focus via touch
MP count good (21MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (250 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon 1 J5 as a Landscape photography camera
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
69
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3")
MP count good (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
doesnt have anti-alias filter
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
terrible battery pack (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging factors
Nikon 1 J5 Vlogging factors
9
no video
75
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than average (231 grams)
no image stabilization
no microphone port
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 J5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 J5
 Leica M-MonochromNikon 1 J5
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Nikon
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Nikon 1 J5
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-10 2015-04-03
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Expeed 5A
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1"
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 5212 x 3472 5568 x 3712
Highest native ISO 10000 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 160
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 171
Lens
Lens support Leica M Nikon 1
Available lenses 59 13
Crop factor 1 2.7
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 32 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 5.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash options 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 sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4K (15p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (120p/60p/30p)
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lbs) 231g (0.51 lbs)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 98 x 60 x 32mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 479
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 250 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - EN-EL24
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card microSD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $7,950 $497