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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
78
Imaging
64
Features
23
Overall
47
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N 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 NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Superseded the Sony NEX-F3
  • Newer Model is Sony a5000
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-3N, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Leica and Sony. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the NEX-3N (16MP) is pretty similar but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and NEX-3N (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The M-Monochrom was unveiled 9 months earlier than the NEX-3N so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick overview of how the M-Monochrom scores against the NEX-3N with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony NEX-3N

 M-Monochrom NEX-3N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Leica M-Monochrom

 NEX-3N M-Monochrom 
LaunchedFebruary 2013May 2012Fresher by 9 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-3N

 M-Monochrom NEX-3N 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom offers physical dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") having a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3N has measurements of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

See the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-3N in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the M-Monochrom against the NEX-3N.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and NEX-3N is 78 and 89 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the M-Monochrom and NEX-3N.

Clearly, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will offer greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

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

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography information
70
you can focus manually
MP count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
66
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Street photography highlights
64
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
77
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
44
MP count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (350 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
53
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery power (480 per charge)
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography features
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography features
54
MP count good (18 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery power (350 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
71
better than average battery power (480 shots)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography features
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography features
58
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low battery power (350 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
70
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (480 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-3N Vlogging advice
9
no video recording
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-3N
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Make Leica Sony
Model Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2013-02-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5212 x 3472 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 10000 16000
Minimum native ISO 160 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Number of lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest 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
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 grams (1.32 pounds) 269 grams (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 1067
Other
Battery life 350 shots 480 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $7,950 $399