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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5R front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
76
Overall
64

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R 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
  • Revealed May 2012
Sony NEX-5R
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Announced August 2012
  • Old Model is Sony NEX-5N
  • New Model is Sony NEX-5T
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-5R, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the NEX-5R (16MP) is relatively comparable but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and NEX-5R (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The M-Monochrom was manufactured 3 months prior to the NEX-5R and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the M-Monochrom grades versus the NEX-5R in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony NEX-5R

 M-Monochrom NEX-5R 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5R over the Leica M-Monochrom

 NEX-5R M-Monochrom 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k230kSharper screen (+690k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-5R

 M-Monochrom NEX-5R 
AnnouncedMay 2012August 2012Same generation
Manual focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica M-Monochrom has external 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) and the Sony NEX-5R has proportions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") along with a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Compare the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-5R in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the M-Monochrom compared to the NEX-5R.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and NEX-5R is 78 and 89 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The pic below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the M-Monochrom and NEX-5R.

All in all, both of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The M-Monochrom due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Leica M-Monochrom will provide extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs more aggressively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-5R Portrait photography highlights
71
has manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography details
Sony NEX-5R Street photography details
65
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Sports photography with Sony NEX-5R
45
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
does not have liveview
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
68
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Travel photography with Sony NEX-5R
54
MP count decent (18MP)
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (350 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
73
provides focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography details
Sony NEX-5R Landscape photography details
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
not so great battery (350 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
75
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5R Vlogging factors
9
no video recording
31
screen is touchscreen
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic jack
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5R Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-5R
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha NEX-5R
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha NEX-5R
Class Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2012-08-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5212 x 3472 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 10000 25600
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 99
Lens
Lens support Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover Tilt Up 180� Down 50� TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 32s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash settings Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - AVCHD
Mic 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 lb) 276 grams (0.61 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 111 x 59 x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 910
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 330 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $7,950 $750