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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Nikon D5 front
Portability
50
Imaging
71
Features
84
Overall
76

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 Key Specs

Leica M-Monochrom
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 10000
  • No Video
  • Leica M Mount
  • 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
  • Introduced May 2012
Nikon D5
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Increase to 3280000)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1415g - 160 x 158.5 x 92mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Older Model is Nikon D4s
  • Newer Model is Nikon D6
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon D5, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Pro DSLR by companies Leica and Nikon. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the D5 (21MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was brought out 4 years earlier than the D5 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon D5 being a Large SLR camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the M-Monochrom grades vs the D5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Nikon D5

 M-Monochrom D5 

Reasons to pick Nikon D5 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 D5 M-Monochrom 
AnnouncedJanuary 2016May 2012Fresher by 44 months
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution2359k230kCrisper display (+2129k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon D5

 M-Monochrom D5 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom features external dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Nikon D5 has sizing of 160mm x 158.5mm x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 1415 grams (3.12 lbs).

Check the Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon D5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the M-Monochrom against the D5.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and D5 is 78 and 50 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by checking out specs. The visual below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and D5.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can anticipate the Nikon D5 to provide extra detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Portrait photography with Nikon D5
71
you can focus manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
82
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Street photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
60
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
great high ISO (102,400)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Sports photography camera
45
MP count decent (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no liveview feature
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low battery (350 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
great battery power (3,780 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography features
Nikon D5 Travel photography features
54
MP count decent (18MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
64
great battery power (3,780 per charge)
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Nikon D5 as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low battery (350 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
great high ISO (102,400)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
great battery power (3,780 CIPA)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging info
Nikon D5 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
30
built-in touchscreen
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Nikon D5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Nikon D5
 Leica M-MonochromNikon D5
General Information
Company Leica Nikon
Model Leica M-Monochrom Nikon D5
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro DSLR
Introduced 2012-05-10 2016-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Large SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Expeed 5
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 5588 x 3712
Max native ISO 10000 102400
Max boosted ISO - 3280000
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 153
Cross focus points - 99
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Nikon F
Number of lenses 59 309
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3.2"
Screen resolution 230k dots 2,359k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.72x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 14.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lb) 1415 grams (3.12 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 160 x 158.5 x 92mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 88
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 2434
Other
Battery life 350 photos 3780 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - EN-EL18a
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card Dual CompactFlash or dual XQD
Card slots One Dual
Price at launch $7,950 $6,500