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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3

Portability
78
Imaging
65
Features
23
Overall
48
Leica M-Monochrom front
 
Sony FX3 front
Portability
62
Imaging
65
Features
92
Overall
75

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 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
  • Launched May 2012
Sony FX3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 102400 (Increase to 409600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 716g - 130 x 78 x 85mm
  • Announced February 2021
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3, both Pro Mirrorless cameras by brands Leica and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the M-Monochrom (18MP) and FX3 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (Full frame).

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The M-Monochrom was manufactured 9 years before the FX3 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the M-Monochrom grades against the FX3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Leica M-Monochrom over the Sony FX3

 M-Monochrom FX3 

Reasons to pick Sony FX3 over the Leica M-Monochrom

 FX3 M-Monochrom 
AnnouncedFebruary 2021May 2012Fresher by 107 months
Display typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.00"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1440k230kClearer display (+1210k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Leica M-Monochrom and Sony FX3

 M-Monochrom FX3 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica M-Monochrom features outer 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) and the Sony FX3 has measurements of 130mm x 78mm x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 716 grams (1.58 lbs).

Contrast the Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the M-Monochrom vs the FX3.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the M-Monochrom and FX3 is 78 and 62 respectively.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 top view buttons comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing purely by going through specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the M-Monochrom and FX3.

To sum up, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Leica M-Monochrom to provide more detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The older M-Monochrom will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 sensor size comparison

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 Screen and ViewFinder

Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica M-Monochrom
Portrait photography with Sony FX3
71
has manual focus
decent megapixels (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
no liveview
71
has manual focus
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom as a Street photography camera
Sony FX3 as a Street photography camera
65
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
provides touch to focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (102,400)
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Sports Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Sports photography highlights
Sony FX3 Sports photography highlights
45
decent megapixels (18MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (350 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
great battery pack (600 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Travel photography highlights
Sony FX3 Travel photography highlights
54
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery pack (350 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
71
great battery pack (600 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
provides touch to focus
screen is selfie friendly
low megapixels (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica M-Monochrom Landscape photography information
Sony FX3 Landscape photography information
58
has manual focus
swap lenses (Leica M mount)
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low battery pack (350 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3.00 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good high ISO (102,400)
supports RAW files
environment proof
great battery pack (600 per charge)
has double storage slots
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Leica M-Monochrom
Vlogging with Sony FX3
9
no video shooting
77
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone port
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Leica M-Monochrom vs Sony FX3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica M-Monochrom and Sony FX3
 Leica M-MonochromSony FX3
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model Leica M-Monochrom Sony FX3
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2012-05-10 2021-02-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 864.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5212 x 3472 4240 x 2832
Highest native ISO 10000 102400
Highest enhanced ISO - 409600
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 759
Lens
Lens mount Leica M Sony E
Total lenses 59 187
Focal length multiplier 1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Screen size 2.5" 3.00"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT color LCD with a sapphire glass LCD cover -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (rangefinder) None
Viewfinder magnification 0.68x -
Features
Min shutter speed 32 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync no built-in flash
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 3840 x 2160 @ 120p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 100p / 280 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 50p / 200 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 140 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.265, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 50 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution None 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, XAVC S, XAVC HS, XAVC S-1, H.264, H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 600g (1.32 lb) 716g (1.58 lb)
Physical dimensions 139 x 80 x 37mm (5.5" x 3.1" x 1.5") 130 x 78 x 85mm (5.1" x 3.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 85
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 3900
Other
Battery life 350 photos 600 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC card Dual SD/CFexpress Type A slots
Storage slots Single Two
Launch price $7,950 $3,900