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Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Samsung NX1 front
Portability
66
Imaging
68
Features
90
Overall
76

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 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
  • Launched May 2012
Samsung NX1
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 550g - 139 x 102 x 66mm
  • Announced September 2014
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Leica M-Monochrom and Samsung NX1, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Leica and Samsung. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and NX1 (28MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and NX1 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.

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The M-Monochrom was manufactured 3 years earlier than the NX1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung NX1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the M-Monochrom scores versus the NX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Samsung NX1

 M-Monochrom NX1 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX1 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 NX1 M-Monochrom 
AnnouncedSeptember 2014May 2012More modern by 28 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1036k230kCrisper display (+806k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Samsung NX1

 M-Monochrom NX1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom enjoys outer dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Samsung NX1 has measurements of 139mm x 102mm x 66mm (5.5" x 4.0" x 2.6") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

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Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the M-Monochrom versus the NX1.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and NX1 is 78 and 66 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes purely by reading specifications. The image below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and NX1.

To sum up, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom featuring a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Samsung NX1 will offer more detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography advice
Samsung NX1 Portrait photography advice
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
80
you can focus manually
megapixel count amazing (28 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography highlights
Samsung NX1 Street photography highlights
65
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
74
tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
features focus by touch
environment proof
lighter than average in class (550 grams)
good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Samsung NX1
45
good megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (350 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count amazing (28MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with Samsung NX1
54
good megapixels (18MP)
no Timelapse function
low battery power (350 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
74
lighter than average in class (550g)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
features focus by touch
megapixel count amazing (28 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Samsung NX1 as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (350 shots)
no Timelapse function
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
megapixel count amazing (28 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
environment proof
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging advice
Samsung NX1 Vlogging advice
9
no video shooting
34
touch screen
has face detection focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic jack
lighter than average in class (550g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Samsung NX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Samsung NX1
 Leica M-MonochromSamsung NX1
General Information
Make Leica Samsung
Model Leica M-Monochrom Samsung NX1
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2012-05-10 2014-09-15
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - DRIMe 5
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 28MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5212 x 3472 6480 x 4320
Maximum native ISO 10000 25600
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 209
Cross focus points - 153
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Samsung NX
Number of lenses 59 32
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,036 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 32 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 15.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 11.00 m (ISO 100)
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Maximum video resolution None 4096x2160
Video data format - H.265
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 lbs) 550g (1.21 lbs)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 139 x 102 x 66mm (5.5" x 4.0" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 83
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1363
Other
Battery life 350 photos 500 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - BP1900
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II)
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $7,950 $1,500