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Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Olympus PEN E-P3 front
Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 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
  • Announced May 2012
Olympus E-P3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 369g - 122 x 69 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-P2
  • Renewed by Olympus E-P5
Photography Glossary

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 Overview

Here, we will be matching up the Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Olympus. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and E-P3 (12MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and E-P3 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The M-Monochrom was unveiled 9 months later than the E-P3 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the M-Monochrom grades against the E-P3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Olympus E-P3

 M-Monochrom E-P3 
IntroducedMay 2012August 2011Fresher by 9 months

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P3 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 E-P3 M-Monochrom 
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper screen (+384k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Olympus E-P3

 M-Monochrom E-P3 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Leica M-Monochrom comes with outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Olympus E-P3 has dimensions of 122mm x 69mm x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 369 grams (0.81 lbs).

Compare the Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the M-Monochrom and the E-P3.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and E-P3 is 78 and 86 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by seeing specs. The visual underneath will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and E-P3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom using its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will show greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures way more aggressively. The younger M-Monochrom should have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Portrait photography with Olympus E-P3
71
manual focus
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography factors
Olympus E-P3 Street photography factors
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Olympus E-P3
45
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
49
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography factors
Olympus E-P3 Travel photography factors
54
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
includes focus via touch
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-P3 Landscape photography highlights
58
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
resolution is good (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M-Monochrom
Vlogging with Olympus E-P3
9
no video recording
35
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-P3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Olympus E-P3
 Leica M-MonochromOlympus PEN E-P3
General Information
Brand Leica Olympus
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Olympus PEN E-P3
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-10 2011-08-17
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic VI
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 10000 12800
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 614 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover 3:2 OLED with Anti-Fingerprint Coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 32 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 10.00 m (@ ISO 200)
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Wireless, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lbs) 369g (0.81 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 122 x 69 x 34mm (4.8" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 51
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life 350 photos 330 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $7,950 $0