Clicky

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-7 front
Portability
84
Imaging
64
Features
71
Overall
66

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 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
  • Released May 2012
Sony NEX-7
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 400g - 120 x 67 x 43mm
  • Announced December 2011
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-7, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless by companies Leica and Sony. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and NEX-7 (24MP) and the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and NEX-7 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The M-Monochrom was announced 5 months later than the NEX-7 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the M-Monochrom grades against the NEX-7 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony NEX-7

 M-Monochrom NEX-7 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-7 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 NEX-7 M-Monochrom 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-7

 M-Monochrom NEX-7 
AnnouncedMay 2012December 2011Similar age
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Leica M-Monochrom offers physical measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) while the Sony NEX-7 has proportions of 120mm x 67mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 400 grams (0.88 lbs).

Look at the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-7 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the M-Monochrom compared to the NEX-7.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the M-Monochrom and NEX-7 is 78 and 84 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and NEX-7.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom with its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony NEX-7 will give extra detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-7 Portrait photography features
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
78
focusing manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW files
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Street photography camera
65
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Sports photography camera
45
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
62
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (430 CIPA)
no image stabilization
has no phase detect AF
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography features
Sony NEX-7 Travel photography features
54
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery power (350 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
70
good battery (430 shots)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Landscape photography camera
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
bad battery power (350 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
72
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (430 per charge)
no image stabilization
no Time Lapse function
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Vlogging camera
Sony NEX-7 as a Vlogging camera
9
lack of video recording
35
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-7
 Leica M-MonochromSony Alpha NEX-7
General Information
Company Leica Sony
Model Leica M-Monochrom Sony Alpha NEX-7
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced Mirrorless
Released 2012-05-10 2011-12-13
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 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5212 x 3472 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 10000 16000
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 121
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (rangefinder) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x 0.73x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600 gr (1.32 pounds) 400 gr (0.88 pounds)
Dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 120 x 67 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 81
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1016
Other
Battery life 350 photos 430 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 or 5 images))
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $7,950 $699