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Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Pentax Q7 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
54
Overall
43

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 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
Pentax Q7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced August 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax Q10
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Leica M-Monochrom and Pentax Q7, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and Q7 (12MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and Q7 (1/1.7") have totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The M-Monochrom was unveiled 15 months earlier than the Q7 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the M-Monochrom grades against the Q7 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Pentax Q7

 M-Monochrom Q7 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q7 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 Q7 M-Monochrom 
IntroducedAugust 2013May 2012More modern by 15 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Pentax Q7

 M-Monochrom Q7 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom has got outside measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Pentax Q7 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Leica M-Monochrom and Pentax Q7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the M-Monochrom vs the Q7.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and Q7 is 78 and 92 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The pic here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and Q7.

All in all, the two cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will provide more detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q7 Portrait photography highlights
71
has manual focus
good MP (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no liveview
48
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q7 as a Street photography camera
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (200g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q7 as a Sports photography camera
45
good MP (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
slow frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography advice
Pentax Q7 Travel photography advice
54
good MP (18MP)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (350 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average in class (200 grams)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (250 shots)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q7 as a Landscape photography camera
58
has manual focus
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good MP (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (350 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
terrible battery power (250 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging info
Pentax Q7 Vlogging info
9
can't shoot video
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (200g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing mic port
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Pentax Q7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Pentax Q7
 Leica M-MonochromPentax Q7
General Information
Brand Name Leica Pentax
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Pentax Q7
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-10 2013-08-08
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5212 x 3472 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 10000 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Pentax Q
Total lenses 59 8
Crop factor 1 4.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover TFT color LCD monitor, wide angle viewing, AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Optical (optional)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 4.90 m (ISO100/m)
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync P-TTL, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - FullHD(1920x1080, 30fps/25fps/24fps), HD(1280x720,16:9,30fps/25fps/24fps), VGA(640x480,4:3,30fps/25fps/24fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 200 grams (0.44 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs 250 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 sec, 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD, SDHC, SDXC and Eye-Fi Card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $7,950 $480