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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha A7R front
Portability
78
Imaging
74
Features
76
Overall
74

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R 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
  • Revealed May 2012
Sony A7R
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 465g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Successor is Sony A7R II
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and A7R (36MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was unveiled 21 months prior to the A7R which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the M-Monochrom matches up against the A7R with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony A7R

 M-Monochrom A7R 

Reasons to pick Sony A7R over the Leica M-Monochrom

 A7R M-Monochrom 
ReleasedFebruary 2014May 2012Newer by 21 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1230k230kClearer screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7R

 M-Monochrom A7R 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica M-Monochrom has 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) and the Sony A7R has dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 465 grams (1.03 lbs).

Compare the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the M-Monochrom compared to the A7R.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and A7R is 78 and 78 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out specifications. The image below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the M-Monochrom and A7R.

To sum up, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Sony A7R to provide greater detail having an extra 18MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography info
Sony A7R Portrait photography info
71
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
84
has manual focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography factors
Sony A7R Street photography factors
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
80
tilting screen
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (465g)
good high ISO (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography details
Sony A7R Sports photography details
45
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
terrible battery (350 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with Sony A7R
54
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery (350 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
lighter than competition in class (465g)
environment proof
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
not so great battery life (340 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography highlights
Sony A7R Landscape photography highlights
58
focusing manually
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
terrible battery (350 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery life (340 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
36
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
lighter than competition in class (465 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7R
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha A7R
General Information
Brand Leica Sony
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha A7R
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2014-02-13
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 10000 25600
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Leica M Sony E
Amount of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 lbs) 465 grams (1.03 lbs)
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 Overall rating not tested 95
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 2746
Other
Battery life 350 shots 340 shots
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 feature With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $7,950 $1,898