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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha A7 II front
Portability
69
Imaging
72
Features
84
Overall
76

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II 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
  • Introduced May 2012
Sony A7 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 599g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Announced November 2014
  • Older Model is Sony A7
  • Replacement is Sony A7 III
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7 II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and A7 II (24MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was announced 3 years before the A7 II and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the M-Monochrom grades versus the A7 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony A7 II

 M-Monochrom A7 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7 II over the Leica M-Monochrom

 A7 II M-Monochrom 
AnnouncedNovember 2014May 2012Fresher by 30 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1230k230kSharper display (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7 II

 M-Monochrom A7 II 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Leica M-Monochrom provides exterior dimensions 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 Sony A7 II has proportions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the M-Monochrom vs the A7 II.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and A7 II is 78 and 69 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading specifications. The graphic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the M-Monochrom and A7 II.

Plainly, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony A7 II to deliver extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography information
Sony A7 II Portrait photography information
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
83
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography details
Sony A7 II Street photography details
65
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
81
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Sony A7 II
45
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (350 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
74
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
not so great battery life (350 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography details
Sony A7 II Travel photography details
54
decent MP (18 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
low battery life (350 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
62
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
not so great battery life (350 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A7 II as a Landscape photography camera
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent MP (18MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (350 shots)
no Timelapse function
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery life (350 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M-Monochrom
Vlogging with Sony A7 II
9
no video shooting
37
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7 II
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha A7 II
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha A7 II
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-05-10 2014-11-20
Physical type 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 10000 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 117
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 599g (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 127 x 96 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 90
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 2449
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 350 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $7,950 $1,456