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Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 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
  • Released May 2012
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Old Model is Olympus E-PM1
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

Following is a comprehensive review of the Leica M-Monochrom versus Olympus E-PM2, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Olympus. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the E-PM2 (16MP) is very comparable but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and E-PM2 (Four Thirds) use different sensor size.

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The M-Monochrom was announced 12 months earlier than the E-PM2 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the M-Monochrom scores vs the E-PM2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Olympus E-PM2

 M-Monochrom E-PM2 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 E-PM2 M-Monochrom 
ReleasedMay 2013May 2012More modern by 12 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Olympus E-PM2

 M-Monochrom E-PM2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom comes with outer measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM2 has sizing of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Look at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Olympus E-PM2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the M-Monochrom versus the E-PM2.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and E-PM2 is 78 and 89 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by checking out specifications. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and E-PM2.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Leica M-Monochrom will show greater detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography details
Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports touch focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography information
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography information
45
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (350 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography factors
54
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (350 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
66
supports touch focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography info
58
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery power (350 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging features
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging features
9
no video recording
36
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone jack
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Olympus E-PM2
 Leica M-MonochromOlympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Olympus
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Olympus PEN E-PM2
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-10 2013-05-21
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 10000 25600
Min native ISO 160 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 35
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 59 107
Focal length multiplier 1 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 32s 60s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 lb) 269g (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 932
Other
Battery life 350 shots 360 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BLS-5
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $7,950 $448