Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1
78 Imaging
64 Features
23 Overall
47


92 Imaging
40 Features
56 Overall
46
Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1 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
- Launched May 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 197g - 102 x 61 x 30mm
- Introduced June 2013
- Replacement is Nikon 1 S2

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Nikon. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and 1 S1 (10MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and 1 S1 (1") use totally different sensor size.

The M-Monochrom was revealed 13 months earlier than the 1 S1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the M-Monochrom scores against the 1 S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S1. The full galleries are provided at Leica M-Monochrom Gallery and Nikon 1 S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon 1 S1
M-Monochrom | 1 S1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S1 over the Leica M-Monochrom
1 S1 | M-Monochrom | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | May 2012 | Fresher by 13 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S1
M-Monochrom | 1 S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Leica M-Monochrom comes with 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 S1 has specifications of 102mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs).
Analyze the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the M-Monochrom and the 1 S1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and 1 S1 is 78 and 92 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing specs. The visual underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and 1 S1.
As you can plainly see, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom using its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will show greater detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S1 Specifications
Leica M-Monochrom | Nikon 1 S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Leica | Nikon |
Model type | Leica M-Monochrom | Nikon 1 S1 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2012-05-10 | 2013-06-21 |
Physical type | 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 | 18 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 3872 x 2592 |
Max native ISO | 10000 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 135 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Leica M | Nikon 1 |
Total lenses | 59 | 13 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | 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 | 32s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Highest silent shutter speed | - | 1/16000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 15.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in 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 | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/60s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 file format | - | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 pounds) | 197g (0.43 pounds) |
Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 102 x 61 x 30mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 56 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 397 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 photographs | 220 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | EN-EL20 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $7,950 | $231 |