Clicky

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
23
Overall
47
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Nikon 1 S2 front
Portability
93
Imaging
44
Features
60
Overall
50

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 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 S2
(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  • Superseded the Nikon 1 S1
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

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.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

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.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

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 
ReleasedMay 2014May 2012Newer by 24 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S2

 M-Monochrom 1 S2 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography factors
Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography factors
70
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
59
focusing manually
good megapixels (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography highlights
Nikon 1 S2 Street photography highlights
64
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
70
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (190 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Nikon 1 S2 as a Sports photography camera
44
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
59
quiet shutter (1/16,000s)
fast shooting (60.0 fps)
good megapixels (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
bad battery life (270 CIPA)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography information
Nikon 1 S2 Travel photography information
54
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery (350 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
66
lighter than competitors in class (190 grams)
good megapixels (14.2MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (270 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography details
Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography details
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
60
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (14.2MP)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery life (270 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M-Monochrom
Vlogging with Nikon 1 S2
9
no video shooting
33
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (190g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing mic socket
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon 1 S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon 1 S2
 Leica M-MonochromNikon 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