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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha A7 front
Portability
78
Imaging
71
Features
80
Overall
74

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 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
Sony A7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Updated by Sony A7 II
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Leica and Sony. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and A7 (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was revealed 20 months earlier than the A7 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the M-Monochrom scores versus the A7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony A7

 M-Monochrom A7 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 A7 M-Monochrom 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014May 2012More recent by 20 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1230k230kSharper screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7

 M-Monochrom A7 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Leica M-Monochrom enjoys physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony A7 has specifications of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") having a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).

See the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the M-Monochrom versus the A7.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and A7 is 78 and 78 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to see the difference between sensor measurements just by reviewing technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and A7.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Sony A7 to deliver more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography information
Sony A7 Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
82
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography factors
Sony A7 Street photography factors
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
79
tilting screen
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
lighter than competitors (474 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography highlights
Sony A7 Sports photography highlights
45
good megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (350 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
66
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (340 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with Sony A7
54
good megapixels (18MP)
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (350 shots)
does not have selfie friendly display
69
lighter than competitors (474g)
environment proofing
megapixel count good (24MP)
terrible battery power (340 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography advice
Sony A7 Landscape photography advice
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
good megapixels (18MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (350 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
76
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video shooting
36
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
lighter than competitors (474 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha A7
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha A7
Type Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-10 2014-01-22
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
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 18MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 10000 25600
Lowest native ISO 160 50
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 117
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 474 grams (1.04 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 90
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 2248
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 340 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $7,950 $798