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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha A7S II front
Portability
68
Imaging
61
Features
76
Overall
67

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II 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 A7S II
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 102400 (Bump to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 627g - 127 x 96 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2015
  • Old Model is Sony A7S
  • Newer Model is Sony A7S III
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7S II, both Pro Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Leica and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and A7S II (12MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was revealed 4 years before the A7S II which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A7S II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the M-Monochrom matches up against the A7S II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony A7S II

 M-Monochrom A7S II 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S II over the Leica M-Monochrom

 A7S II M-Monochrom 
IntroducedOctober 2015May 2012More modern by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7S II

 M-Monochrom A7S II 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Leica M-Monochrom features outside 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 II has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.4") having a weight of 627 grams (1.38 lbs).

Compare the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7S II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the M-Monochrom against the A7S II.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and A7S II is 78 and 68 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through specifications. The image below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M-Monochrom and A7S II.

To sum up, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Leica M-Monochrom to resolve more detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography info
Sony A7S II Portrait photography info
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
68
has manual focus
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography info
Sony A7S II Street photography info
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
78
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
good ISO range (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Sports photography camera
45
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
58
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather sealing
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (370 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Travel photography camera
Sony A7S II as a Travel photography camera
54
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (350 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
49
weather sealing
not so great battery pack (370 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Landscape photography with Sony A7S II
58
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica M mount)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (350 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
71
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good ISO range (102,400)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (370 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M-Monochrom
Vlogging with Sony A7S II
9
can't shoot video
35
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony A7S II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony A7S II
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha A7S II
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha A7S II
Category Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2012-05-10 2015-10-12
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 measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5212 x 3472 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 10000 102400
Max enhanced ISO - 409600
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 169
Lens
Lens support Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 32 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 4K (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p [60-100Mbps]), Full HD (1920 x 1080 @ 120p/60p/60i/30p/24p [50-100Mbps]), 720p (30p [16Mbps])
Max video resolution None 3840x2160
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 600g (1.32 lbs) 627g (1.38 lbs)
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 rating not tested 85
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 2993
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 370 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 feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $7,950 $2,767