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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5T

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5T front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
79
Overall
66

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5T 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-5T
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 276g - 111 x 59 x 39mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-5R
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5T Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5T, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Leica and Sony. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the NEX-5T (16MP) is very comparable but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and NEX-5T (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The M-Monochrom was launched 15 months before the NEX-5T making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the M-Monochrom scores versus the NEX-5T with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 M-Monochrom NEX-5T 

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

 NEX-5T M-Monochrom 
RevealedAugust 2013May 2012Newer by 15 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

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

 M-Monochrom NEX-5T 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing

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

When you are looking to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Leica M-Monochrom has got physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") along with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-5T has dimensions of 111mm x 59mm x 39mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") having a weight of 276 grams (0.61 lbs).

Contrast the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5T in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the M-Monochrom compared to the NEX-5T.

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

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and NEX-5T is 78 and 89 respectively.

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

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

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing specs. The picture underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and NEX-5T.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The M-Monochrom due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Leica M-Monochrom will show extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography factors
Sony NEX-5T Portrait photography factors
71
has manual focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Street photography advice
Sony NEX-5T Street photography advice
65
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
80
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
features 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-5T
45
decent megapixels (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (350 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
69
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography factors
Sony NEX-5T Travel photography factors
54
decent megapixels (18MP)
lack of Timelapse function
bad battery life (350 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
77
features focus via touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography information
Sony NEX-5T Landscape photography information
58
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (350 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Vlogging factors
Sony NEX-5T Vlogging factors
9
no video shooting
73
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone jack
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-5T Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-5T
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha NEX-5T
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha NEX-5T
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2012-05-10 2013-08-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 99
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover Tilt Up 180° Down 50° TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 32s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 7.00 m (ISO100)
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest 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 x1080 (60p/60i/24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 pounds) 276 gr (0.61 pounds)
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 score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1015
Other
Battery life 350 pictures 330 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ((10/2 sec. delay), Self-timer (Cont.) (with 10 sec. delay; 3/5 exposures))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $7,950 $400