Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2
78 Imaging
64 Features
23 Overall
47


93 Imaging
44 Features
60 Overall
50
Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
- Released May 2014
- Superseded the Nikon 1 S1

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Overview
Its time to look a little more in depth at the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S2, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Leica and Nikon. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and 1 S2 (1") boast different sensor sizing.

The M-Monochrom was brought out 24 months earlier than the 1 S2 making them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the M-Monochrom scores vs the 1 S2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S2. The entire galleries are viewable at Leica M-Monochrom Gallery and Nikon 1 S2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon 1 S2
M-Monochrom | 1 S2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Leica M-Monochrom
1 S2 | M-Monochrom | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | May 2014 | ![]() | May 2012 | Newer by 24 months |
Display size | 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 S2
M-Monochrom | 1 S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither provides selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Leica M-Monochrom provides outer dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Nikon 1 S2 has dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs).
Analyze the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the M-Monochrom versus the 1 S2.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and 1 S2 is 78 and 93 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The picture below may offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and 1 S2.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The M-Monochrom because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Leica M-Monochrom will show extra detail having its extra 3.8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Specifications
Leica M-Monochrom | Nikon 1 S2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Leica | Nikon |
Model type | Leica M-Monochrom | Nikon 1 S2 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2012-05-10 | 2014-05-21 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Expeed 4A |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | 1" |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 13.1 x 8.8mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 115.3mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18 megapixels | 14.2 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 4592 x 3072 |
Max native ISO | 10000 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 171 |
Cross type focus points | - | 73 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica M | Nikon 1 |
Total lenses | 59 | 13 |
Crop factor | 1 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover | - |
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 rate | 2.0 frames per second | 60.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | - |
Flash options | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Fill, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/ slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4 |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 lbs) | 190g (0.42 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 rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 shots | 270 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | EN-EL22 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card | microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $7,950 | $450 |