Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3
78 Imaging
64 Features
23 Overall
47


89 Imaging
54 Features
55 Overall
54
Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 10000
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Revealed May 2012
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-C3

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Its time to look a little more closely at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and NEX-3 (14MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and NEX-3 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

The M-Monochrom was introduced 24 months later than the NEX-3 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before diving into a full comparison, here is a quick summation of how the M-Monochrom matches up versus the NEX-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Leica M-Monochrom & Sony Alpha NEX-3. The whole galleries are provided at Leica M-Monochrom Gallery & Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony NEX-3
M-Monochrom | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2012 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 24 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Leica M-Monochrom
NEX-3 | M-Monochrom | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-3
M-Monochrom | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica M-Monochrom has got outside 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 NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Take a look at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the M-Monochrom and the NEX-3.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and NEX-3 is 78 and 89 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading through specifications. The photograph underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and NEX-3.
To sum up, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will give greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent M-Monochrom will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Leica M-Monochrom | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Leica | Sony |
Model | Leica M-Monochrom | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-05-10 | 2010-06-07 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 36 x 24mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 4592 x 3056 |
Highest native ISO | 10000 | 12800 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Leica M | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 59 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 2.5" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 920 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (rangefinder) | None |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 32 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video data format | - | MPEG-4 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 pounds) | 297 grams (0.65 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 shots | 330 shots |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail price | $7,950 | $0 |