Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony a1
78 Imaging
64 Features
23 Overall
47
61 Imaging
81 Features
93 Overall
85
Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony a1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - Full frame Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 10000
- No Video
- Leica M Mount
- 600g - 139 x 80 x 37mm
- Announced May 2012
(Full Review)
- 50MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 32000 (Raise to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 7680 x 4320 video
- Sony E Mount
- 737g - 129 x 97 x 70mm
- Released January 2021
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony a1 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony a1, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by rivals Leica and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and a1 (50MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (Full frame).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe M-Monochrom was unveiled 9 years earlier than the a1 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Leica M-Monochrom being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony a1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the M-Monochrom scores versus the a1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Leica M-Monochrom & Sony Alpha a1. The full galleries are available at Leica M-Monochrom Gallery & Sony a1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony a1
| M-Monochrom | a1 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony a1 over the Leica M-Monochrom
| a1 | M-Monochrom | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2021 |  | May 2012 | Newer by 106 months |
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
| Display resolution | 1440k |  | 230k | Crisper display (+1210k dot) |
| Touch friendly display |  | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony a1
| M-Monochrom | a1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus |  | Very precise focus | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Neither features selfie screen |
Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony a1 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Leica M-Monochrom enjoys exterior measurements of 139mm x 80mm x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") with a weight of 600 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Sony a1 has sizing of 129mm x 97mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 737 grams (1.62 lbs).
Look at the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony a1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the M-Monochrom versus the a1.
Using size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and a1 is 78 and 61 respectively.
Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony a1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by seeing specs. The picture below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the M-Monochrom and a1.
All in all, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Sony a1 to produce more detail having an extra 32MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony a1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony a1 Specifications
| Leica M-Monochrom | Sony Alpha a1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Leica | Sony |
| Model | Leica M-Monochrom | Sony Alpha a1 |
| Class | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
| Announced | 2012-05-10 | 2021-01-26 |
| Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | Full frame | Full frame |
| Sensor measurements | 36 x 24mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
| Sensor area | 864.0mm² | 861.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 18MP | 50MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 5212 x 3472 | 8640 x 5760 |
| Maximum native ISO | 10000 | 32000 |
| Maximum enhanced ISO | - | 102400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
| RAW support | ||
| Lowest enhanced ISO | - | 50 |
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | - | 759 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Leica M | Sony E |
| Number of lenses | 59 | 133 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 230 thousand dots | 1,440 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display tech | TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (rangefinder) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder resolution | - | 9,437 thousand dots |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.68x | 0.9x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 32s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
| Max quiet shutter speed | - | 1/32000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames/s | 30.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Expose Manually | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | no built-in flash |
| Flash options | Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync | Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync |
| External flash | ||
| AEB | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/180s | 1/400s |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | - | 7680x4320 (30p, 25p, 23.98) |
| Maximum video resolution | None | 7680x4320 |
| Video file format | - | XAVC S, XAVC HS, H.264, H.265 |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | None | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | Yes |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 600g (1.32 pounds) | 737g (1.62 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") | 129 x 97 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 350 photos | 530 photos |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | NP-FZ100 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC card | Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots (UHS-II supported) |
| Card slots | Single | 2 |
| Retail cost | $7,950 | $6,498 |