Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3
78 Imaging
64 Features
23 Overall
47


91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Older Model is Sony NEX-3
- New Model is Sony NEX-F3

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-C3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Leica and Sony. The resolution of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and the NEX-C3 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the M-Monochrom (Full frame) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

The M-Monochrom was released 9 months later than the NEX-C3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summary of how the M-Monochrom grades against the NEX-C3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The complete galleries are available at Leica M-Monochrom Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony NEX-C3
M-Monochrom | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2012 | ![]() | August 2011 | Fresher by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Leica M-Monochrom
NEX-C3 | M-Monochrom | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+690k dot) |
Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony NEX-C3
M-Monochrom | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | No Touch display |
Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom comes with outside dimensions of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") and a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has measurements of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Check out the Leica M-Monochrom versus Sony NEX-C3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the M-Monochrom and the NEX-C3.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the M-Monochrom and NEX-C3 is 78 and 91 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through technical specs. The photograph underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the M-Monochrom and NEX-C3.
As you can tell, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The M-Monochrom because of its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Leica M-Monochrom will provide more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop images more aggressively. The younger M-Monochrom should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Leica M-Monochrom | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Leica | Sony |
Model type | Leica M-Monochrom | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Category | Pro Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-05-10 | 2011-08-22 |
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 | 18MP | 16MP |
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 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Leica M | Sony E |
Total lenses | 59 | 121 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen 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 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
Flash modes | 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 | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | None | 1280x720 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 600g (1.32 lb) | 225g (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 shots | 400 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $7,950 | $343 |