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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S 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 A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Later Model is Sony A7S II
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and A7S (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was released 23 months earlier than the A7S which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the M-Monochrom grades versus the A7S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony A7S

 M-Monochrom A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Leica M-Monochrom

 A7S M-Monochrom 
ReleasedApril 2014May 2012More recent by 23 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1230k230kClearer screen (+1000k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7S

 M-Monochrom A7S 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom provides physical dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony A7S has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Examine the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the M-Monochrom vs the A7S.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and A7S is 78 and 77 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the M-Monochrom and A7S.

Clearly, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Leica M-Monochrom to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom will be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Portrait photography with Sony A7S
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
68
focusing manually
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography features
Sony A7S Street photography features
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
no image stabilization
76
tilting screen
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
above average high ISO (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography advice
Sony A7S Sports photography advice
45
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low battery power (350 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
slow frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (360 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7S as a Travel photography camera
54
MP count decent (18MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery power (350 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
58
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
environment proofing
terrible battery life (360 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography information
Sony A7S Landscape photography information
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count decent (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low battery power (350 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
66
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
great sensor size (Full frame)
above average high ISO (409,600)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (360 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M-Monochrom
Vlogging with Sony A7S
9
no video
34
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic socket
lighter than competition in class (489 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7S
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha A7S
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha A7S
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2014-04-06
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 10000 409600
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,230k dots
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 - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.71x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 lbs) 489 grams (1.08 lbs)
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 score not tested 87
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.2
DXO Low light score not tested 3702
Other
Battery life 350 images 360 images
Battery type 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 feature With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $7,950 $1,998